Today we’d like to introduce you to Iovaldy Castro aka Djxl.
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?
I started in the Bronx, NY back in the early 2000s at the family house parties. I was always standing by the Dj trying to learn and curious how one song switched to the other. Around that time DJs weren’t using computers, only CDs and vinyls. As technology rised clubs were requiring DJs to have laptops to DJ. I didn’t have one, but I had a close friend name Dj Alex, the kid that had one. So, I asked him to roll with me to all the parties. I’ll pay him just to use his laptop. With that, I went from DJing at house parties to school parties to teen parties and 21+ clubs. Even though we wasn’t 21 LOL. The bookings kept coming. One time my niece’s mom visited my house and offered me a used laptop. I was excited and grateful. I then started using that laptop to Dj. After high school, I went to Florida to live and Dj. Gained exposure and numerous connections. After Florida, I started college in Philly. Started DJing in the city little by little, gaining popularity. Today I now Dj in several states and just gained Aruba. Being my first international market. I’m also starting a radio show in Aruba to maintain the recognition I started.
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 has not been a smooth ride. Before when I first started it was mainly about talent and what can you do in a live setting as a performer. Now since social media and other platforms have taken over. Most people rely on the number of followers you have. Which has limited me and other talents to be given the opportunity to show what they can do. I’ve gotten denied and left on read by tons of people on social media. They go based on the image and followers. Still today I sometimes deal with this situation.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I been doing this work for so long. It’s now organic and common to me. But other people see me as something different and huge. And when I say different and huge, I mean being able to have a great music selection mix these songs while serving an opened and not narrowed crowd. In other words, I’m able to spin Merengue, Hip Hop, Reggaeton, Reggae, Tech House, Soca, Dembow and play good and latest music of those genres. Some DJs don’t have the ability to do this. Some lack with their music library and some don’t stay updated. That sets me apart along with being bilingual. It also makes me proud of myself. I’m also proud of some of my accomplishments. Like gaining a residency in California, LA at Dragonfly night club and now gaining Aruba.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
The people and the weather is amazing. Only thing I dislike is the NBA team, Orlando Magics team was better.
Contact Info:
- Website: XLTHEDJ.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/Djxlnyc
- Facebook: Facebook.com/Xlthedj
- Twitter: Twitter.com/Djxlnyc
- Youtube: Youtube.com/Djxlnyc
- SoundCloud: Soundcloud.com/Djxlnyc
