We caught up with the brilliant and insightful ELIJAH EDWARDS a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

ELIJAH, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

As a teenager, I would attend different “block party’s” in Brooklyn and was always intrigued by the sound system and the DJ aspect of the event. So I would go up to the DJ’s, watch and ask questions. One even invited me to “spin”. Even though I didn’t know what I was doing at that point, I knew that I was already in love with the art.

I had an uncle that was getting rid of some old equipment, so I would collect different pieces from him, or some that was thrown out to create my own set. I didn’t have the money to buy my own, so that’s all I could use at that time lol.

Fast forward, I went to Erasmus HS in Brooklyn and met who would now be considered my best friends. They both were into reggae and dancehall and were trying to be a DJ as well. So when I would go over their houses, I would have the opportunity to use their equipment. We would practice for hours after school until I felt like I was decent enough to throw a party.

As far as speeding up the process, I could’ve used the money I made from working a summer job to purchase my equipment, but I wanted new clothes for school.

The most essential skill to me was best matching. That’s where you play one song and try to mix or blend the next song while following the same tempo without a break in rhythm. That keeps the party going and allows dancers to stay in rhythm while you’re mixing.

The obstacles I faced were probably more financial than anything. New equipment was expensive, and the better the equipment, the more expensive it got. So while that situation delayed my potential, I would like to think it made me better by being able to use older and less than ideal DJ equipment.

ELIJAH, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a Brooklyn, NY born and raised DJ that currently resides in Columbus OH. Once I moved to Ohio, I started doing small gigs for my coworkers and used my savings to purchase the equipment. But because I wasn’t really known, I wasn’t getting booked like that.

I stayed persistent and met some people that changed that for me. DJ O Sharp and DJ Rich NYCe were instrumental in giving me a shot on this internet radio station called “Pulse Radio”. It was there that people were able to hear me mix and I was able to set my self apart by being diverse with my music selection.

Being born and raised in NY, you are surrounded by so many cultures, and all of the music always spoke to me. It was like the soundtrack of my life. Salsa, reggae, soca, African music, pop and more all played a part in my musical journey as a DJ.

I am proud of being able to move to another state, start DJ’ing again and created a whole brand out of it. I worked solely as a DJ from 2017 until the Pandemic and man it was a blessing to be booked all week and weekend. I am also proud of the current brands I co-founded such as “Featuring R&B” and “One Love”.

I wanted to bring that diversity and entertainment to Columbus that I felt when I lived in NY. NY has so many options when it came to entertainment, and I didn’t see why Columbus couldn’t have the same opportunity. So, with Featuring R&B, I created a party style of karaoke, offered a music bingo game and ushered in another night of music from around the world with “One Love”.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to provide quality entertainment for the 35 – 50 year old. Something besides bars and clubs and more engaging.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of what I do is providing people with a healthy escape through music. I DJ with passion and love every second of it and people can feel that. When they come up to me and tell me how much fun they had, it lets me know I’m in the right profession.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Beatbanguz.com
• Instagram: Dj_beatbanguz
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@djbeatbanguz?si=q9xR1y7z4pR46DMj

Image Credits

Will Pounder
Comfort Photography