Who is DJ Ekin?

He is “Tampa’s Most Connected DJ…”  An entertainer, a businessman, an individual.

How did you get started?

My dad actually gave me my very 1st set of turntables & with big brothers as DJ’s…well the rest is history.  Its kinda cool being around my older brothers now & them talking about how proud that they are of me that I stuck with it.

At what point did you know that DJing is something that you wanted to  do ?

I have to honestly say…and this is being straight up…I’m not even sure if dj’ing was ultimately what I wanted to do or whether it became my way in.  Don’t get me wrong, I have a strong passion for it; but I think that the entertainment industry as a whole is a much deeper passion for me.

How did you get the title Tampa’s most connected DJ?

It actually started out as a marketing move in the beginning.  But as I began to really make a few moves, it became evident that the connections were what was really missing from a lot of what I wanted to do.

What are some  differences and similarities between Orlando and Tampa?

Orlando’s scene is a little more touristy to me, whereas Tampa seems to have a bit more of a local scene going here.  I guess that I’m speaking from a musical standpoint more so than anything though.  I will have to say that when I lived in Orlando, I never heard as much local music as I tend to hear in Tampa.

What is the local music scene like in Tampa?

The local scene here is a little confusing to me here in Tampa.  On the one hand you have a lot of records that are huge in this market but they can’t seem to get out of the city.  Then on the hand you have to wonder at what point does someone deeply involved in it take a stand and really go for making it a movement?

Who are some power players in your city?

I’d have to say my PD Ron Shepard (WBTP 95.7 The BEAT) & Wild’s PD Orlando are two pretty big power players here.  Competition aside, they both sit in some pretty big chairs when it comes to the music ultimately being heard by the masses here in Tampa.  I’d also have to say Plies because his movement speaks for itself.  Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of cats doing their thing here; its just that these three dudes come to mind right now.

What would you say has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Getting the gig at the BET Soundstage in Orlando. That was the start of my movement here in Florida.  Everything else came after I got that BET look.

Tell us a little bit about your non for profit organization….

It’s called ConnXions & its built upon the premise of teaching young adults the power of building relationships…one handshake at at time.  I think that we’ve spent so much time with teaching kids that they need this education, this bit of technology, etc. that we forgot about the simplest act of just being a good person first & how to interact & build with other people.  That is what ConnXions is striving for…relationship building.  You can find out more about it at www.ConnXions.org.

As a seasoned and well known DJ – what advice can you give up and  coming artists and deejays trying to make their mark?

Do YOU first.  You have to be the best YOU that you can be before you can be anything else.  Also, you have to believe; because if you don’t, how can you expect anyone else to?  And lastly, let your word mean something.  Be a stand-up individual and no one can ever take that away from you.

What’s the worst mistake you think an up and coming artist can make?

Not reading up on an industry that they claim that they want to be a part of and thinking that its a DJ’s JOB to play THEIR music.

What the best way a local artist can get their music to a club DJ with hopes of getting spins?

I would say build a relationship & just give it to them.  Most DJ’s aren’t the bad guy…but it needs to be understood that just because you give a DJ your music, he/she isn’t obligated to play your music.

Last shouts/ contact info …..

Shouts out to everyone that has ever supported the movement that is TEAM Ekin…I’m not hard to find ([email protected]).  Also, check out the “MyPlace” movement at youtube.com/djekintv.  For further info on ConnXions, hit up Rhiannon Capling at [email protected].  We’re here…

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DJ Ekin (Tampa’s Most Connected DJ)

Pres, 4Play Entertainment, LLC

www.4Playent.net

“There is a lot more to life than just struggling to make money. So enjoy it!”