We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful AJ Funk. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with AJ below.
AJ , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
My journey to making a full-time living from what was once a side hustle began in 2021, after I was unexpectedly laid off from my day job. I started DJing in 8th grade, and what began as a hobby quickly became a passion. By 14, I was working my first job while DJing small parties with my friend Mike. I kept at it through high school while juggling other jobs—dishwasher, stock boy, candy striper, and summer jobs with my mom, always learning and practicing my craft on the side.
At 16, I got my first paid DJ gig working at a local roller rink which is where I really began to learn and grow as a DJ. I stayed with it through trade school and a few years working in an autobody shop. Over the next 20+ years, I kept DJing and eventually began producing music and remixes, even while working full-time at a refinery. Long shifts kept music on the back burner until 2013, when I switched to a job with weekday hours and weekends off allowing me to DJ again. My wife encouraged me to get serious about DJing, and in 2014 I started working with local DJs, which resulted in me landing residencies, and began building strong industry connections.
That same period sparked my deeper dive into music production and video content creation, even taking production classes from a friend who’s an accomplished producer. Then in 2021, I was suddenly laid off. It was a shock, but thanks to my friend Jay Canosa, I started working in the live event production world the very next week. When I told him I lost my job, he said “that’s ok, you work for me now” and the rest is history. Working with him gave me the time and freedom to focus on DJing and producing music in a way I never could before. It also opened a lot of other opportunities within the industry that have helped me not only grow as a DJ, but also as an A/V tech where I’ve been able to expand my knowledge of music, audio and production. In addition to that, it’s even resulted in a vlog series I began producing called “AJ & Tape Jay” which follows us and out friends on various gigs showing a behind the scenes look at what we do for a living, and showcases the fun, antics and friendships built along the way. I met him as an industry connection when I was releasing my first record, and he has since become one of my best friends and one of my biggest supporters.
I wasn’t financially or mentally prepared to make the jump, and without a formal education, replacing my old income with another job would’ve been tough. So, I committed fully. I leaned into the skills I had developed over years of hustling on the side and started learning everything I could. It’s been scary, especially with a family to support. But with the right people around me and a drive to keep pushing forward, it’s happening. I’m still in that climb, and holding on tight but I’m moving ahead every day and enjoying the journey. Loving what you do helps too.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
When I was about 11, a neighbor who felt like an older brother introduced me to DJing. He wasn’t active anymore, but had been a DJ in the past. I was instantly hooked. My parents got me a Radio Shack mixer, and he gave me a few records and a broken turntable. Around that time, a friend and I were recording fake radio shows for fun. His younger sister, knowing about our radio antics, asked us to DJ her birthday party. That kicked off a little business doing small events for friends and family. Eventually, my friend lost interest, but I stuck with it. My parents always made sure I could get to and from gigs and supported the grind the best they could at the time. My poor dad was always helping me lug my giant heavy speakers, records and gear in his van, and helping me bring them all up and down the stairs in and out of my room. Looking back, it was a lot, but he never questioned it.
At 16, I landed a job as the teen night DJ at our local USA roller rink. I played for kids from all over and started befriending the old-school shuffle skaters and managers there. That heavily influenced my sound. One manager Joe Martin, who became a very close friend and taught me the fundamentals of DJing and also taught me a lot about how to skate. He taught me so much that I still use to this day. Over the next 13 or so years, we had a large group that would travel to rinks all over the tri-state area. One of which I hold a monthly residency at today. Philly Skateplex (Formerly The Palace Roller Rink). I even met my wife on skates and while we dated we skated all over. It was so much fun!
There was a 10-year stretch where my full-time job pulled me away from music. But around 2010, I started DJing again as a hobby and felt the urge to create original music and remixes. Around the same time, I got into video production with my friend Greg—we used to run a paranormal research team together (yes, I was a ghost hunter). We made client videos, then moved into commercial and wedding work. One company we freelanced for was doing videos for the dance duo Disco Fries, and that reignited my passion for DJing and production.
In 2013, I switched to a day job, giving me more time to pursue music. I started collaborating, making connections, and in 2014 I cold-called a nightlife spot looking for DJ work. That’s how I met DJ Redrum. He invited me to play, and we became great friends who still work together and share opportunities.
After that, I got serious about developing my own sound and producing original tracks. In 2015, I released my first song, “Hold My Drink.” I was using my real name then, but a copyright issue led to the creation of “AJ Funk” which is my initials combined with the funky, disco-inspired vibe I learned at the rink. Around that same time, I met Jay Canosa. At the time he was a contact in the industry, but over time we became friends and bonded over our love of house music. We started a traveling house music party called “Open House” where we strived to bring house music to local spots in NJ where you may not otherwise hear house music, and also give local DJs a chance to play.
Not long before that, I connected with DJ Prime, a touring DJ/Producer and radio mix show DJ on NY’s 103.5 KTU. He brought me into his network, which exposed me to more opportunities. As a result this led to summer DJ residencies at several Jersey Shore hotspots including Martell’s Tiki Bar and the Sea Shell Resort. From there I went on my own to build a residency at Bird & Bettys, thanks to another great friend, Mark, Keeler. Inspired by all the creative people around me, I started working with music producer DJ Cova, who taught me how to really produce dance music. Since then, I’ve released multiple records through various labels and independently. My music has made it around the world, getting air play in several countries, and featured on DJ mix shows on both internet and terrestrial radio. It’s all available on major stores and streaming platforms, with unreleased remixes on my site and in a few DJ pools. One thing I have to say about all the situations leading up to this point that is very important to me is that at the end of the day, it was all made possible because of people like my parents supporting this early on, and the people i met along the way who really cared and like me, try to elevate and lift up the people around them. In many of these cases, i consider these people more like family than friends or co-workers in the industry. I’m very grateful for them. They all believed in me and saw things in me that I didn’t see, and I still don’t always see in myself. They always seem to know how to bring it out of me and i’m very grateful for them. Lastly, I can’t talk about any of this without mentioning my wife Christine. She was the first person to push me to get back out there and DJ again. If not for her believing in me when I had a chance to try again, I don’t know that the rest would have ever happened. I know the lifestyle isn’t ideal, especially with kids, but she still supports it to this day, for which I am very grateful. My hope is to repay all of these examples with being successful in this industry. Either as a DJ, music producer, event production, video creation etc… In any case, at the end of the day, if all else fails, I have a solid group of friends and family surrounding me, which for me, is the real win here. Even if I don’t sell a single record, or get booked for another gig again, i’ll still feel like I won.
My sound is shaped by the roller rink and shuffle skating culture, along with my mom’s love for disco and my love for house music. While not every song leans into those elements, you can hear the influence in my funky rhythms, drums, and bass lines.
What sets me apart? I don’t like comparing myself to others, but if I had to guess, I’d say I think it’s my approach to relationships in the industry. Whether it’s other DJs, venue staff, artists, clients, or production crews I always make time for people and aim to build genuine connections. A piece of advice I was given early in my music career that I still live by: “Don’t be a dick.” I stay away from drama and focus on uplifting others, sharing opportunities, and leaving ego out of it.
What I’m most proud of is still being here and progressing with all the odds stacked against me. At 38, I was laid off unexpectedly, had no college degree, and was forced to take the leap. It’s been scary, unpredictable, and takes me away from my family from time to time, but I’ve kept pushing forward. Even in the face of people putting me down for not meeting their expectations of what a real job is and what a real income should be. In spite of all that, I’ve still managed to keep it going and not give. up. The business keeps growing every year. In 2024 alone, my business income grew by 40%, and it’s on track to do the same or better this year.
I want fans and clients to know that I’m on their team. Whether you’re dancing to my set, collaborating on a track, or hiring me for a project, I’m all in. My goal is always to deliver the best results I can.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
One of the most impactful things society can do to support artists and creatives is simple: actually support them. That means showing up for your friends, family, and local talent the same way you would for big-name celebrities. Even if it’s not totally your thing, share a post, buy some merch, go to a show. Even something as simple as a nice compliment, can go a long way.
What I struggle to understand is how quick people are to promote or praise someone famous who doesn’t even know they exist, while ignoring the creatives right in their own circle. The ones who would genuinely appreciate the support often go unnoticed, despite putting in the same level of effort and passion. That kind of support can make all the difference.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding part for me is seeing a crowd react to a song or remix I’ve made—especially when it’s positive. I struggle sometimes with accepting success. That sense of satisfaction often gets clouded by thoughts like, “Did I just get lucky?” or “Do I really deserve this?” Some call it imposter syndrome—I just call it my daily mindset.
But when a full dance floor reacts to something I created, there’s no faking that. It’s raw, real, and undeniable. As a DJ, connecting with a room full of strangers through music, watching your choices, timing, and ability to read the crowd turn into their joy, is incredibly fulfilling.
And when that moment involves something you created from nothing? That feeling is indescribable.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.AJFunkMusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajfunkofficial/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ajfunkofficial
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ajfunkofficial
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ajfunkofficial?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/AJFunkOfficial/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7FLVWTQHOTyFuUSf7iOwXd Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/aj-funk/1389800350
