Rising Stars: Meet DJ X The Turntablist of Los Angeles, CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ X The Turntablist.

Hi DJ X, 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?
My story is defined by intentionality and deep personal conviction. I grew up with a deep sense of discipline from being raised in East Palo Alto, the murder capital in the early 90’s. It began in 1999 as a teenager when I bought my first turntables, determined to get my sounds out and make people move. That drive was immediately tested: I was sold antiquated, belt-drive turntables that fought me for years.

The breakthrough came in the summer of 2006 in Atlanta. Unable to shake the complex beats I imagined, I took out a loan and bought new gear, determined to change the boring party scene at my college. After a few parties, the word-of-mouth spread quickly. My career took off, and I went from apartment parties to spinning for almost every “club”, a few festivals, then started traveling to NYC and doing a few international events.

Despite that success, the scene began to plateau. I realized my music felt the same, and I felt compelled to pursue a higher level of DJ integrity. This means that words and real instruments in songs matter, the deep scratch sound from a turntable matters, chaining words and verses.

That mission brought me to Los Angeles, where I now operate as DJ X, The Turntablist. My 25 years of experience are focused on one core philosophy: Nothing playlisted, everything custom. I don’t just play music; I deliver a curated, unique musical journey when I’m behind the wheels. I believe a DJ should play their part, whether they’re sonically positioned as the focus or further in the back and simply sprinkling elements throughout the separate main. My dedication to customization and the art of turntablism ensures every gathering receives a sonic backdrop crafted precisely for its context and its crowd.

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?
No, the road hasn’t been smooth; the true obstacles were never technical, but deeply personal and philosophical. Balance is key for me – observing the state of how people treat each other underlined the constant need for community and communication – and music speaks to almost everyone, without discrimination. In meditation and practicing mindfulness towards balance, I developed a profound apprehension toward the modern music industry’s focus on social media gimmicks and clout chasing.

This distrust was rooted in my own complex history. Music flows through my family’s blood, particularly from my biological father’s side, who was heavily involved in the industry. However, he wasn’t present when I was born. I only met him a few years ago, and seeing his overall state after finally connecting with him almost confirmed my deepest fears about the industry’s negative and potentially unsustainable path.

This internal conflict between my passion for the craft and my historical apprehension about the industry’s darker side caused me to intentionally limit my visibility. I often shied away from offerings and declined numerous events because I felt I had a gift, and honoring that gift with balance and true passion was always my key priority.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I love Los Angeles with all of my heart! LA taught me balance.

I can now reveal: After I left Google, I built the app that fixes the problem I saw on the decks: it’s the missing feedback loop between the creator and the audience, launching into private beta this winter.

As a veteran Turntablist, I’ve spent 25+ years mastering technical Turntablism and event delivery, dedicated to the core philosophy, “Nothing playlisted, everything custom.” This dedication to deep, curated sonic journeys is what sets me apart.

That drive for technical integrity extends directly into software. I applied my extensive background in engineering to develop this innovative application focused on redefining the balance and collaboration between the music creator and the listening audience. It’s the next evolution of the custom music experience.

How do you define success?
I define success first by my intentionality—that I upheld my conviction to the craft by delivering technical Turntablism and nothing playlisted. Success is complete when that integrity results in the organizer/client knowing they received a deeply custom experience that was precisely the right sonic backdrop for their event.

Pricing:

• $2,995 – $4,595, which ranges from the Signature Wedding Package (4-hour MC/DJ service, unlimited meetings, custom mix) to the Multi-Zone Setup (6-hour MC/DJ service, two separate setups for ceremony/cocktail/reception).
• Pricing for corporate events, festivals, and private gatherings is done on an a la carte basis to ensure maximum customization based on the unique size, scope, and technical demands of the specific venue.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://xTheTurntablist.com
• Instagram: xTheTurntablist
• Youtube: xTheTurntablist
• Other: xTheTurntablist

Image Credits
@newmethods__