Today we’d like to introduce you to AJ Ramos.
Hi AJ, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been in the music business for over 16 years. Until this day, I still can’t believe that I work in the music industry. Never in a million years would I have thought that I’d be doing what I am doing now. I went to Rutgers University with a full scholarship as part of their education opportunity program. My major was Pharmacy. Then I switched over to Clinical Laboratory science and then criminal justice.
In my third year of college, I met someone outside of Copacabana on 34th Street in New York City. Her name was Danays Vichot. She asked me what I thought about La Kalle 105.9. La Kalle 105.9 Was the first reggaeton radio station in the country. I answered her honestly and told her that the station was hot and it’s what everybody was currently listening to. Little did I know she was the head of marketing and promotions for the radio station. The rest was history. I worked for Univision radio for seven years, five years in New York and two years in Las Vegas. Where I started as a street team member, promotions assistant, street team captain to on the radio part-time and then finally full-time radio in Las Vegas.
After working for Univision for seven years, I went over to SBS. I call this the three years marathon. Where the hybrid of me being a music executive but also talent really came into play. I was the marketing and promotion director for La Mega 97.9 while also being on air on 93.1 Amor. While this was happening, I was also the morning show host of SiriusXM Caliente. On the weekends, I would travel to Washington DC and do radio at CBS. While all that was going on, I was hosting a show on Don Omar’s internet radio station and doing some freelance work for Telemundo on TV while finishing my Master’s in Communication at Kean.
After that, I became the first US Latin hire for Spotify. Where I focused on playlist and programming while also doing artists and label relations, Cultural Partnerships and hosting their first-ever Latin podcast while also booking, helping produce and hosting their first-ever Latin concert in Chicago with Bad Bunny Daddy Yankee just to name a few.
After my four years at Spotify, I moved over to Google where I’ve been for two years. I am the global lead of culture for Google’s Latinx employee Resource Group called HOLA. I am the artist relations manager for Latin music and culture for YouTube.
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?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. If I had a dollar for every time someone told me I wasn’t good enough or questioned my identity or told me no I would be a millionaire. There’s a lot of Blood, Sweat and Tears in my journey. Lonely Christmas, birthday and New Year’s nights inside of a car celebrating by myself while having to work. Missing a lot of family moments that I’m actually still paying for. Call it toxic productivity? But my life was work and finally now I’m spending more time with my family and loved ones.
In addition, being a product of an immigrant and my parents wanted me to either become a pharmacist, doctor or lawyer. It seemed pretty weird for them at first with a college degree that I would be still making less than $10 an hour. It’s been very bumpy. There’s been dark and amazing moments. I always say that scars are roadmaps to your life. I am super grateful for all the blessings, learnings, growth and opportunities God has given me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I hold a pivotal role as Latin Artist Relations Manager at YouTube/Google, where I build and foster partnerships between the platform and the music industry. I am also the Global Lead of Culture for ‘HOLA’, Google’s internal LatinX ERG.
What I am most proud of is being a part of the artist’s process but also progress. I’m proud of being one of the first individuals and upcoming artists can connect. I remember when Bad Bunny launched his first single he was with me at Spotify. I remember giving Rosalia and Rauw Alejandro their first playlist cover.
I am super proud of the amazing work we are doing to push the culture forward and making sure that intersectionality is key at YouTube. Programs like Foundry at Youtube have been essential to independent artist’s growth. I am super proud of all the amazing cultural work we’re doing internally with our Google’s Latinx employee Resource Group HOLA. I curated three events for HHM/LHM. A toxic productivity workshop, a Talks at Google and a 11 artist virtual concert called Vibras.
Last but not least, I love paying it forward and supporting and pushing my colleague to be great and live their legacy. I also love to drop gems on the younger generations. Allow them to learn from my mistakes. If there’s one thing that I do in a room, it’s shed light, love, positivity and push people to be greater and owe it.
What makes you happy?
God makes me happy. My family makes me happy. My partner Nayira makes me happy. Looking at my past and seeing how much I’ve grown internally but also professionally makes me happy. Being kind to myself and focusing on my mental health makes me happy. Balancing work and personal life makes me happy. Being a light to people makes me happy. Breathing happy makes me happy 🙂 Living my life and my legacy while owning my identity and understanding that life’s about infinite progress makes me happy.
Contact Info:
- Email: ajelkallejero@gmail.com
- Website: www.ajelkallejero.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajelkallejero/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AJElKallejeroRamos
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ajelkallejero
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AJELKALLEJERO
