Today we’d like to introduce you to Aileen Castro.
Hi Aileen, 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 started djing when I was 19 years old. I stuck with DJing house music, tech house, and deep house.
It wasn’t til 2014 that my breakthrough began by djing my first paid gig with an LGBTQ+ event called Icandee Events where I had to play open format (Mostly hip-hop and top 40). Since then, I expanded my selection of music into the house with hip-hop and in 2019, I took into my own matter to play more Spanish music such as reggaeton, salsa, merengue, and dembow.
This year (2022) has been the biggest breakthrough of all my years I have been booked within many LGBTQ+ events like Out Foundation, Pandora Events, Ft. Lauderdale Pride, Miami Beach Pride, and Wynwood Pride. I now play a huge diversity of music and support many upcoming producers that remix the 90s and 2000s into amapiano, reggaeton, and afrobeats known as “edits”.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The first 5 years were very difficult for me to get bookings in the “underground scene”. I had to produce music in order to get gigs that were paid; otherwise, it was strictly for “exposure”.
Where the real exposure came in was when I became a resident DJ for LGBTQ+ parties. During the pandemic, I also made my way to DJ on live streams with a Miami company called Dead Centers Creatives. The pandemic was a bumpy road for me but it gave me time to practice and build my craft for the Miami nightlife.
After the pandemic when things became smoother in the industry, I connected with so many Miami native DJs and Promoters that have given me the chance to play my diverse taste.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Not only do I Dj for the Miami nightlife but I’m also contracted in the hospitality industry.
I have been told that because I am a petit individual the sounds I play are big enough to notice me behind the DJ booth. I am proud to say that amount of remixes that I play is what makes my sets so unique.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I am easygoing and take my work very seriously. I regularly take the time to practice on my music selection and transitions. I’m always on time for my gigs, I communicate well with my clients and promoters to execute exactly what they want and engage with the crowd.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aileenthedj
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/dj-aileen-castro-ii
