Life & Work with Steven Hernandez of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Hernandez

Hi Steven, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Hello, my name is Steven Hernandez. I’m 26 years old, turning 27 on October 11th. I was born in 1997 in Downey, CA, and grew up in West Covina, where I spent most of my life honing my craft. My journey began when I picked up the guitar at the age of 11. I always had a diverse taste in music, thanks to my parents, but learning guitar sparked an extreme passion for music and creation. After attending my first concert at age 13 with my dad, I knew I wanted to be on stage and be part of the industry, collaborating with other creatives.

As I grew as a musician, I discovered music production software through my childhood friend, Danny Gomez, who lived nearby. Danny taught me how to make my own beats and record my instruments efficiently. We used my connections on Twitter and Instagram to bring in artists from Covina, and spent multiple summers from 2016-2020 learning to record, produce, mix, and master to create solid records and become better recording engineers.

I began producing my own music and searched for artists to grow with, aiming to expand my network as much as possible. Through this journey, I met Jordan Gomez, an artist and musician who went by “JG.” Jordan became not only a brother but also a business partner. We instantly clicked, sharing collaborative ideas that led us to create a platform for fellow artists in our community—a positive force in the local music scene, uplifting unheard talent and entrepreneurs. Ultimately, we wanted to be our own musicians and artists within the community we helped build.

In 2018, SteeJays Entertainment was established, and two weeks later, on March 3rd, we hosted our first backyard show in Azusa, CA. Expecting around 40 people, we ended up packing the entire house and backyard with nearly 200 guests. We were incredibly grateful for the support and convinced we were providing something our community desperately needed. Featuring genres like hip-hop, R&B, and Latin music, SteeJays quickly became a central part of the community. Within a year, we were able to expand to Los Angeles, Orange County, the Inland Empire, and San Diego.

In 2019, we secured a residency at a venue called 3 Vinos in downtown Covina, and we packed out consecutive Fridays from December 2019 until February 2020, when COVID-19 forced everything to shut down. Even though the world stopped, we inspired our community to continue working on music and promoting one another online and through word of mouth, keeping the SteeJays family alive.

When COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, we knew people were eager to reconnect, so we planned our biggest event yet: our first music festival, ZOOTED FEST, on April 23rd, 2021, at LA Skate Club in Los Angeles, featuring prominent upcoming artists from LA like 500raxx, New Carlier, JTBxBENJI, and more. JG and I couldn’t believe the massive response—almost 400 people attended. It was a major milestone for us, achieved through dedication and preparation. We loved the challenge and were grateful for the community’s support, which allowed us to open a storefront and recording studio called SteeJays Studios in Glendora, CA.

Sadly, a month after we opened the studio and business was thriving, our co-founder JG passed away in a car accident on December 3rd, 2022. It was a devastating loss, but through the hardship, we continued on as he would have wanted. We decided to honor him by throwing another festival the following year. Our team successfully hosted our third music festival, FLYTIMES, on April 20th, 2024, at Melrose House in Los Angeles. It was a major success, with artists like Sherwyn and Jose Rios from the Free Nationals headlining, alongside a lineup of local artists from the SteeJays community such as Trey Graves, 500Raxx, New Carlier, AB & Wavlngth, ILYFR, Kyle Splash, RUDEBOY, and many more. The event was an incredible vibe from 2 pm to 2 am.

So, where am I now? I decided to leave the storefront behind and make a move to downtown LA to start a new chapter in my career, focusing more on myself as a musician, producer, and engineer. I’ve always been all three, but now it’s about diving even deeper and leveling up in the LA music scene. It’s been amazing so far, connecting with more creatives and finding inspiration. Looking ahead, I’m planning more pop-up events in 2025, keeping the SteeJays mission alive—bringing people together with merch, live music, great food, and good vibes.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Some struggles down the road were navigating through COVID-19 during a time we were building a a lot of traction in our area. Money wasn’t abundant in the beginning but we figured out how to fundraise for projects as a team to make our ideas come to life without coming out of pocket. The other struggle was losing my brother JG in December 2022 and figuring out the future of SteeJays Entertainment after his loss.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love being a musician because, in a world that’s becoming more digital and AI-driven every day, being able to speak the language of music is a blessing. When I create music, I do it with the intention of provoking a good feeling that moves you to another dimension. I specialize in guitar and music production, but I also play bass guitar and enjoy recording and mixing artists in my free time. I’m most known for my guitar work, as I have about 15 years of experience. I’ve worked with artists like New Carlier, JTBxBenji, 500Raxx, and many more. I mostly enjoy playing R&B, but I can handle most genres. I can make beats, create guitar loops to send for beats, perform live, and help mix or record your track. I can even help you throw a show if needed.

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is promoting good music and businesses that bring out the best in people and inspire us to be better human beings. Supporting our communities brings innovation and growth, and can have a massive impact when we realize there is strength in unity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://steejays.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steejays/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVDqNLDu1pFfrsgaYKmEXCg

Image Credits
@ifilmoverthere
@mmadfilmss
@dilonmadrid
@_saria.c_
@imawni
@ramosvsls
@merino.shot.that.