Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ Jus Jay.
Hi DJ Jus Jay, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, to immigrant parents from The Philippines and my journey into music started early. I got into learning the guitar and drums at church in middle school. That laid out the foundation for everything that came after. But what really pulled me into the world of djing wasn’t just the music, it was the lights, fog machines, the family party atmosphere. I was low-key obsessed with the energy of it all. What started as curiosity turned into a passion. I started djing small events, just figuring things out as I went, and overtime, it became something I couldn’t imagine not doing.
A big Turning point in my DJ journey came when I met my mentor, Percy Sanchez. At that time. i didn’t even really know what a mentor was, I just knew he believed in me. He saw something in me early on and took the time to help me really understand the business. How to move professionally in this space and carry myself with confidence and intention. He shared stories from his time as a music producer and those conversations gave me so much insight. Not just the technical side of music but the mindset, the hustle and the heart it takes to make it in the industry. Having someone like that in my corner made a huge difference, especially in the beginning when I was still finding my way.
But it wasn’t until 2020, during the quarantine and peak TikTok era that everything shifted. With the world on pause, I found myself with time and space to really dive deeper creatively. That’s when my journey as a recording artist truly began. What started as experimenting in my room writing, producing and recording turned into something bigger. I began releasing music, putting my voice out there and finding a new way to tell my story. TikTok played a role too. It gave me a platform to share my sound, connect with people and lead me to realize that others resonated with what I was making.
Now I’m living in that balance between djing and creating my own music. Djing lets me connect with people in real time, feel the energy of a crowd and create unforgettable moments on the spot. There’s nothing like watching a room light up when the beat drops or when a mix hits just right. On the other side, being a recording artist gives me space to slow down, get introspective and make music that reflects where I’ve been and where I’m going. Learning, evolving and staying true to where I came from. It is more personal and more vulnerable. It challenges me in a different way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like any creative path, there are many ups and downs. Moments of doubts, setbacks and times when I questioned if I was built for this. Especially starting out in places like Kaua’i, where the scene is smaller and resources can be limited.
When I first started making music as an artist during quarantine, it was super raw. I didn’t have a fancy setup or a team behind me. I was just learning as I went via YouTube, recording in my room using the free Apple app called GarageBand, teaching myself how to produce, mix, record music videos and market everything from scratch. It was exciting, but a good type of overwhelming at times.
Putting yourself out there as an artist, especially online, takes a certain kind of bravery. There’s always that fear of judgment or not being “good enough,” especially in a space that moves so fast as TikTok. But all of those challenges have taught me resilience. Every setback pushed me to level up. Every time I felt like giving up, I had reminded me why I started. That drive to create, to connect, and grow has kept me going even when the road’s been rough.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a DJ and recording artist, and what I really do is create moments. Whether it’s through a live set or an original song someone plays on repeat. As a DJ, I specialize in blending genres and creating an atmosphere that feels both hype and intentional. I love flipping tracks in unexpected ways, mixing old-school energy with new-school sounds. Finding that sweet spot where the crowd feels completely locked in with the music. I don’t just want people to hear what I’m playing, I want them to feel it.
I DJ regularly around the Los Angeles area. Bringing my sound to a variety of spaces from lounges to bars to cultural events. I am part of Noize Entertainment, which has opened up even more opportunities to connect with different audiences and keep growing as a DJ. I have the chance to spin at select El Pescador Restaurants, Ola Restobar and a range of other local venues that let me bring different styles depending on the crowd. It’s a cool challenge adapting my sets for different environments. I also make a point to fly back to Kaua’i whenever I can to DJ back home. There’s something really special about playing for the community that raised me. It keeps me grounder and reminds me why I started this journey.
As a recording artist, my work is all about storytelling and emotion. I’m inspired by a wide range of sounds from R&B to pop along with the chill island reggae vibes I grew up around.
What sets me apart is where I come from and how I approach my craft. Being from Kauai, I wasn’t surrounded by a huge music industry or a massive scene. I had to build everything from scratch. That taught me to be resourceful and original. I bring a different kind of energy because I’m not chasing trends, I’m chasing connection. My sound is a reflection of my roots, my experiences and the duality of growing up in a peaceful, natural environment while being drawn to the high-energy world of performance and production.
I am proud of is how far I’ve come without compromising who I am. I started my artist journey during quarantine. Just recording covers and songs in my bedroom, figuring things out one step at a time. Now, I’m releasing music and building a community of people who genuinely connect with what I’m doing. It’s been a grind, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding.
Every milestone, whether big or small, feels like a reminder that this path was meant for me. I’m also proud that I’ve stayed hands-on with every part of the process, from sound design to visuals to promotion. It’s important to me that everything I put out feels authentic and real. I’m not just creating music, I’m building a whole experience around it.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think risk is part of the journey when you choose to pursue something creative. Especially in music, nothing is guaranteed and there’s no clear roadmap. Coming from a small island like Kauai, choosing to pursue music and DJing full-time isn’t the most traditional route. There is that voice in your head saying “What if this doesn’t work?” or “Who’s going to listen to my music?”. But I’ve learned that the biggest growth happens when you lean into the unknown.
It was a giant step leaving the comfort and familiarity of home to build something in a bigger place like Los Angeles. It meant starting from scratch, stepping into a highly competitive scene and betting on myself without a safety net. But it also meant opportunity. It opened doors to gigs, collaboration and a community that helped me grow in ways I never expected.
Even putting myself out as a recording artist was a risk. I started during the quarantine era, making music in my bedroom. Just me, my ideas and my mic. Sharing that with the world especially online felt vulnerable. But being seen and real paid off in connection. People related to it. Risk is scary but it’s also where the magic happens.
At the same time I’ve never felt like I was doing this on my own. Having faith in God has been a huge part of how I’ve made it through the difficult seasons. My faith gives me the strength to keep showing up. I believe that if I stay grounded, work, hard and stay aligned with my purpose, God will continue to bless and open the right doors at the right time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://djjusjay.com
- Instagram: @DJJusJay
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DJJusJayHi
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/djjusjay
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@djjusjay
