Today we’d like to introduce you to Jose.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Jose “The Panda” Maldonado — My Story
My name is Jose Maldonado, but most people know me as Jose the Panda. I’m a DJ, music producer, radio host, and community mentor from the San Fernando Valley. My path hasn’t been easy or perfect, but it’s real — and it’s built on music, hustle, and the people who believed in me.
Growing up, I struggled a lot with reading and writing because I’m dyslexic. School wasn’t easy for me, and I got held back more than once. But even with all that, music was the one thing that always made sense. It became my language and the way I expressed what I couldn’t put into words.
In 2024, I hit one of the lowest points in my life. I became homeless and lived out of my car. But even then, I never stopped creating. I’d make beats in my car, mix songs late at night in parking lots, then wake up and go teach youth programs during the day. That period changed me. It taught me how strong I really was and showed me that even when life gets heavy, I can still move forward.
Things started to shift for me back in 2020 when I first joined KROJ 101.5 FM Radio Ollin. That station gave me my start in radio and really opened the door for everything that came after. I spent years learning, growing, and building my confidence on air. Then in 2023, I got promoted and began working with KQBH 101.5 FM, officially starting there in January 2024. That was a huge step for me — it showed me my work was being recognized and that I had a real place in the radio world.
As all that was happening, I also started teaching at the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory, working with young artists on music production, podcasting, and creative storytelling. Teaching was something I never imagined myself doing, but it’s honestly one of the things that brings me the most joy now. Seeing students grow and find their own voice means a lot to me.
As an artist, my mission has always been to take the energy of the LA underground and after-hours scene and bring it to bigger stages. That’s where the idea of “Afters to Academy” comes from — starting in the late-night warehouses and eventually performing on major stages in LA and beyond. It’s about growth, leveling up, and proving that someone from the underground can make it all the way.
I’ve released several projects over the years — like Spread Love & Be Yourself, The Sleeping Panda Project, PNDA, Ms. October, and my newest Album. My sound leans into house, speed house, acid, techno, and emotional melodies. I just make music that feels honest to me and hopefully touches people the same way music saved me.
Today, I’m in a much better place. I have my own apartment, my girlfriend Emely supports me, and I have a real team and community behind me — my Panda Fam, my friends, my students, and everyone in the LA scene who saw something in me before I saw it in myself.
My goals now are bigger than ever:
I want to win a Grammy. I want to build spaces for creatives. And I want to keep growing as an artist, teacher, and leader in my community.
My story is about resilience, learning, and believing in yourself even when life tries to break you. I’m still on this journey, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come — and even more excited for what’s next.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. My journey has been full of challenges, but those struggles shaped who I am today.
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is growing up with dyslexia. Reading and writing were always difficult for me, and school made me feel like I wasn’t smart enough or capable enough. It took a long time to build confidence and find ways to learn that worked for me. Music honestly became my escape — the one area where things finally clicked.
Another major obstacle was becoming homeless in 2024. Life hit me hard, and I ended up living out of my car. It was one of the darkest periods I’ve ever been through. I was still producing music, still DJing, still teaching, all while trying to figure out how I was going to make it through the week. Making music in the car, mixing at night in parking lots — it wasn’t easy, but it showed me how much I really love this life. That experience pushed me to grow up fast and stay focused even when everything felt unstable.
Balancing multiple jobs has been another challenge. I’ve always worked several roles at once — teaching, radio, DJing, producing, doing community work. It’s rewarding, but it can be overwhelming trying to manage all of it while also trying to build a music career from the ground up.
In the music scene, especially coming from the LA after-hours and underground world, it’s not always easy to get taken seriously. I had to build everything myself — no team, no backing, just passion and consistency. I’ve had shows where barely anyone was there, releases that didn’t get attention, and moments where I questioned if any of it was worth it. But every setback made me more determined.
Through all of these challenges, the thing that kept me going was community — my Panda Fam, my friends, my partner, and the people who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.
My journey hasn’t been smooth, but every obstacle taught me something important. And looking back, I wouldn’t change any of it, because those struggles are the reason I’m the artist and person I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I wear a lot of hats, but everything I do revolves around music, storytelling, and community. I’m a DJ, music producer, radio host, and educator, and each part of my work connects to the other.
As a DJ and producer, I specialize in house, speed house, techno, acid, and anything with energy and emotion. I’m known for creating music that people can actually dance to — real club music with melodic, emotional layers. I love taking influences from the LA after-hours scene, video game nostalgia, and even lullaby-style melodies, and blending them into something unique. My goal is always to make people feel something, whether they’re on the dance floor or listening in their headphones.
As a radio host, I run The Panda Hour on KROJ/KQBH 101.5 FM. The show highlights local musicians, DJs, artists, and creatives from all genres. It’s become a platform for people who might not always get shine in mainstream spaces. I’m proud of that. I’m proud that the show has helped build a community and given artists a place to tell their story. My whole approach is about keeping things real — showing love to the underground, the afters scene, and the hidden talent in Los Angeles.
As an educator, I teach music production, podcasting, and creative programs through the Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory. I work with youth and young adults, and helping them find their voice is one of the most meaningful parts of my work. I grew up struggling with reading and writing, so being able to teach and guide others means a lot to me. It feels full circle.
What I’m most proud of is the fact that I built all of this from nothing. No industry connections. No handouts. Just consistency, passion, and community. I built The Panda Hour, I built my sound, and I built my career by showing up every day, even during the hardest times of my life.
What sets me apart is that everything I do is rooted in real experience. I come from the underground — from the after-hours scene, from working multiple jobs, from living in my car while still producing music. I understand struggle, and I understand the importance of giving back. I’m not trying to be anyone else. I’m just telling my story through music, through radio, and through the people I uplift along the way.
At the end of the day, my work is about community, creativity, and building something bigger than myself. And I’m just getting started.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always a kid with a big imagination and a lot of heart, even if I didn’t always have the words to express it. Because of my dyslexia, school was tough for me. I struggled with reading and writing, and that made me feel different from a lot of other kids. But it pushed me to express myself in other ways — mostly through creativity.
Music was already a huge part of my life before I even realized it. I’d get lost in melodies, rhythms, and video game soundtracks. Those sounds felt like home to me and played a big role in shaping the type of music I make today.
Personality-wise, I was a mix of quiet and expressive. I wasn’t the loudest kid, but once I trusted someone, I was goofy, caring, and full of energy. I’ve always had a big heart — I cared about the people around me and wanted everyone to feel included.
And of course, I can’t talk about growing up without mentioning Scrappy, my childhood dog. Scrappy was my little partner, and honestly, he helped me get through a lot. He was always there when I needed comfort or when life felt overwhelming.
Having him around made growing up feel a little easier, and he taught me a lot about loyalty and unconditional love.
I also grew up with a strong work ethic. Nothing was handed to me, so I learned early on how to hustle, how to adapt, and how to figure things out on my own. Looking back, all those experiences — the struggles, the creativity, the support from people (and pets) around me — shaped me into the artist and person I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.josethepanda.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josethepanda333/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://x.com/JosethePanda333
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@josethepanda333
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/sl33pnpanda?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6vu3F9kqfmQOF6GJLwQS3I?si=JhzrU3GUTRyrx8CjUFzpbA
