Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ ZOG.
DJ, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I entered a DJ Competition in 1996. It was organized by Power 96 and was pitched as “Who’s the next Power mixer?”. After realizing I didn’t have enough money to bribe the judges and everyone involved, I did my best and placed second. The Music Director at the time gave me a slot to mix on Power 96 anyway.
In October of 1998, a certain radio personality and DJ had a massive fallout with our Program Director, consequently putting me in a position to be the DJ for the famous “5 O’clock Traffic Jam”. I kept that slot until January of 2018 when I began as the host of the Power 96 with Lucy Lopez. From Mixer to Morning Show host is not common but that doesn’t refrain me of still mixing live every day in the morning. Along this journey, I have also been able to perform at Nightclubs, Festivals, Private Events and all types of gigs around the World.
Has it been a smooth road?
In such a competitive field, some of the struggles include staying relevant. The DJ world has anyone that has a laptop and some music the ability to just be a “DJ”. In addition, some of the struggles include staying up to date with your social media game. DJs used to have to just be responsible with music and performing at events. Today, that’s secondary or even tertiary at times. Having a large social media following, looking amazing in your photoshoot pictures and posting captivating content supersedes the actual art of DJing and Rocking crowds.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Being that I’ve been in the music/DJ business since 1993, satisfying the crowds I perform in front of has been my priority. Making sure everyone that walks out of an event that I was DJ’ing at saying, “wow, that DJ was awesome” is always the mission. As an open format DJ, I’m proud to say that I have had the opportunity to perform in such a wide array of events. Opening for the Chainsmokers, Zedd, J Cole, DJing corporate events, weddings, nightclubs in New York, San Fransisco, Dallas, Chicago, Belize, Haiti, and Puerto Rico just to name a few. If that doesn’t set me apart from other DJ’s…..then at least my name does.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Miami is EXTREMELY competitive. That’s not a good thing when it comes to pay rates. It’s basic supply and demand. So many DJ’s just means rates decreasing because so many will work for so little. South Florida’s talent when it comes to DJ’s though, is if not at the top, among the very top of the heap. My recommendation for someone starting here would be, don’t….or start in another city. We have more than enough DJ’s here. Open a map and pick any other city to start as a DJ.
Contact Info:
- Address: 8300 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33138
- Website: www.DJZog.com
- Email: info@djzog.com
- Instagram: Instragram.com/djzog
- Facebook: Facebook.com/djzog
- Twitter: twitter.com/djzog
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