We were lucky to catch up with Dj Aphro-di recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi DJ Aphro-Di, thanks for joining us today. One of the toughest things about progressing in your creative career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

One of the most unexpected problems I faced in my creative journey was when my DJ equipment began failing me, forcing me to confront not only technical challenges but also deeper questions about my future in music. It was a moment of frustration and uncertainty that ultimately became a turning point, reshaping how I approached my craft.

For years, I had relied on a Numark NS4FX controller—an entry-level “pro” piece of gear that had been my companion through countless gigs. But traveling with it eventually wore down the grounds inside the faders, causing sound bleeding—every DJ’s nightmare. I realized the issue after returning from a gig in Hawaii with my collective mate, Mr. Chibes. He hosted an incredible show, and I had the opportunity to use his FLX-10, a high-end controller with advanced stem controls. It was inspiring but also eye-opening. My aging laptop, once a powerhouse, couldn’t handle the demands of modern software. The stuttering audio during my set wasn’t the gear—it was my PC struggling to keep up.

I was suddenly faced with a crossroads. Replacing both my controller and laptop would cost a fortune, and I had just moved to a new place with higher rent and farther commutes. I found myself wondering if I had the time, money, and energy to continue chasing the DJ life. It felt like I was staring at a dead end.

But I wasn’t ready to quit. I spent hours optimizing my laptop, squeezing every ounce of performance out of it. Feeling optimistic, I took the leap and bought an FLX-10. With it, I decided to focus on my online presence—making mixtapes, mastering future funk, and experimenting with stemwave production, which I love because of its hands-on feel. This shift allowed me to step away from the pressure of IRL gigs and explore new creative avenues online. For a moment, it felt like I had found my footing again.

Then reality hit: “Man plans, God laughs.” Despite my efforts, my laptop couldn’t handle the demands of stem mixing or recording. It became clear that I couldn’t move forward without upgrading my setup yet again. Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

I had to rethink everything. The answer came in the form of the XDJ series—gear that’s modeled after club-standard CDJs. It was an investment that not only bridged the gap between my creative needs and technical challenges but also set me up for bigger opportunities. The XDJs turned my studio into a hub where my collective, Team Discotheque, could come together and grow. The same hands-on training I was gaining could now benefit all of us.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with friends.”

This journey taught me the value of resilience and community. What seemed like a series of setbacks became an opportunity to redefine my path, invest in myself, and deepen my connections with the people who inspire me. Looking back, those challenges were the push I needed to evolve—and to step forward with confidence into whatever comes next.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Who is DJ Aphro-Di? A future funk connoisseur, a sound selector, a music producer, a booker of the homies, and a graphical artist. My journey into music started with a love for blending genres and exploring new ways to connect with audiences. I specialize in future funk but also experiment with integrating other styles through innovative mixing techniques, including stem-mixing and a unique approach to music production I call stemwave.

I got into DJing by chance—it began as a hobby, a way to network and explore my love for music as I built a new community in Los Angeles. Over time, I realized music was more than just a passion; it was my creative calling. I dove headfirst into the craft, learning the technical and artistic sides of DJing while constantly pushing my boundaries to deliver something fresh and exciting. One fateful night, I met the right person at the right place and time—and I was prepared. The rest has been history.

Currently, my work revolves around providing a mix of live performances, online mixtapes, and original tracks that showcase my distinctive sound. Beyond DJing and production, I also book shows and manage talent. I’ve built a diverse network of highly talented DJs, each with their own niche, that I work with regularly. I specialize in matching DJs and genres to event planners who are looking to curate a specific atmosphere for their events. This ability to pair the right talent with the right vibe is one of the reasons Team Discotheque is a strong choice for event planning and execution.

On top of that, I handle most of the flyers and promotional assets for Team Discotheque. Growing into this role has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey, as it’s allowed me to explore my creativity in ways I never thought possible. From conceptualizing event themes to creating visual campaigns, I bring my passion for music into the marketing side of things. If you’re looking for help with marketing or promotional materials, feel free to hit me up for a consultation—I’d love to help bring your vision to life.

Through my mixing and event work, I aim to create a unique experience for my audience: a seamless blend of nostalgia and modernity that’s both energetic and emotionally resonant. Whether it’s a live set, a mixtape, or an event, my goal is to demonstrate what future funk is in a way that resonates deeply with fans, transcending traditional genre boundaries and evolving 70s and 80s samples into their modern future funk forms. The experience of seeing someone hear a classic that they know transform seamlessly into something new and exciting yet familiar is like no other.

What sets me apart is my hands-on approach to DJing and production. I don’t just create music; I shape it live, treating DJ gear as my instrument. My stemwave tracks, for instance, are crafted directly on my equipment instead of using a mouse and keyboard, giving them a raw, tactile energy that truly stands out. I also focus heavily on community-building through Team Discotheque, where I work with like-minded artists to create not just shows or DJ sets but unforgettable experiences.

I’m most proud of the connections I’ve built through my work. Watching people light up on the dancefloor or hearing how my music has impacted someone’s life is what keeps me going. A standout moment for me was traveling to Hawaii for a collaborative gig—an unforgettable milestone that reminded me how far I’ve come and how much further I want to go.

To anyone following my journey or considering working with me, I want you to know that my work is about more than just sound—it’s about creating a shared experience. Whether I’m performing live, uploading a mix, collaborating with others, booking talent, or designing promotional assets, I bring passion, authenticity, and dedication to every project. I’m here to grow, innovate, and share my love for this future funk music with a community that inspires me every step of the way.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The driving mission behind my creative journey is rooted in my passion for future funk as an incredible expression of art. I’m deeply inspired by how the genre breathes new life into tragically underrated disco and funk tracks, offering these timeless sounds a fresh stage to shine on. Future funk is more than just music; it’s a celebration of the past, a reimagining of classic grooves, and a vibrant bridge between eras of sound.

What makes this journey even more exciting is the global community behind it. Artists from all corners of the world are contributing their unique takes on future funk while collectively paying homage to the legends who laid the foundation. It’s a genre built on respect, creativity, and collaboration, and seeing how the international community is shaping its evolution fills me with hope and excitement.

One of the most remarkable aspects of future funk is the youth driving it forward. The best producers in the genre today are young creators who have been inspired by listening to future funk for years. They’re now stepping into the earliest years of their creative prime, crafting incredible music that’s earning attention. Ironically, most of them are often still too young to hear their tracks played at 21+ spaces. This includes everything from local bars to massive venues like the House of Blues at the Mandalay Bay in Vegas or even 1720 in Downtown LA. I celebrate every time I have the opportunity to connect with these artists and send them clips and snippets of me playing their music.

– That fact alone excites me because it highlights the upside for the genre. These young talents have their best years ahead of them, and as they grow and mature, their volume and quality of work as well as their musical footprint and who THEY inspire will grow and the genre will only continue to evolve and expand.

For me, future funk represents limitless potential. It’s an art form that blends nostalgia with innovation, and being part of its growth—whether through DJing, producing, or community-building—is a privilege. My goal is to continue championing this genre, introducing it to new audiences, and helping it gain the recognition it deserves. Future funk has so much more to give, and I’m here for the journey as it grows, thrives, and inspires a new generation of listeners and creators.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I’ve got a theory—only half-serious but maybe onto something—that future funk seems to have a special appeal to neurodivergent people. Think about it: the genre thrives on intricate, fast-paced rhythms, hyper-stimulating visuals, and an irresistible blend of structure and chaos. It’s like future funk scratches a very specific itch in the brain, combining nostalgia with a sensory overload that feels uniquely satisfying.

For neurodivergent folks (myself included), there’s something magical about how future funk takes fragmented pieces of the past—underplayed disco and funk tracks—and transforms them into something vibrant and alive. It mirrors the way some of us process the world: by finding patterns, reimagining them, and creating something completely our own. But what I think a lot of non-creatives might not realize is that this isn’t just a personal connection to the music—it’s the way we experience creativity itself.

As a DJ and producer, I don’t just make music; I *live* in it. The process is often messy and fragmented. It involves weaving together influences, breaking down elements, and building something new in the most unexpected ways. It’s not always linear, and it can sometimes feel chaotic, but there’s something profoundly fulfilling about pulling everything together into a cohesive whole. That’s a common theme for neurodivergent creators like me. We don’t always follow a traditional path, and sometimes the journey feels scattered or unconventional, but that’s also what makes it special.

I also think future funk’s ability to be wildly diverse and inclusive is a big reason why it resonates with so many people. The genre pays homage to Black, Brown, and Japanese artists, pulling from the musical legacies of disco, funk, and jazz, genres that have roots in marginalized communities. Future funk is a melting pot where new and old, Eastern and Western, come together in unexpected ways, and that’s reflected in the way it connects with a wide range of listeners and creators.

The diversity of the music itself speaks to the inclusivity of the future funk community. When you go to a Team Discotheque show, you’ll see a lineup and attendees that are just as diverse as the genre. Our crew comes from all walks of life—different races, genders, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds. That’s one of the things I’m proud of: we’re all part of something bigger, creating a space where everyone feels welcome. Whether it’s the grooves, the energy, or the sense of belonging, there’s something at a Team Discotheque future funk show for everyone.

At its core, future funk is built on the idea of danceability—there’s an ease to it, a universal rhythm that anyone can get into. Whether you’re a dancer or someone just there to vibe, the beats are designed to get you moving. And with such a wide range of samples—from classic disco and funk to obscure gems—there’s always something familiar, no matter where you’re from. It’s a genre that invites everyone to be themselves, regardless of who they are or where they come from. In a world that can sometimes feel divided, future funk stands as a reminder that music has the power to unite us.

On a more personal note, as someone who’s been around long enough to witness the ups and downs of life, I think a lot about how we can all heal from the chaos around us. I genuinely believe that music—especially something as joyful and unifying as future funk—has the power to bring us together in ways that words alone can’t. So, while the journey of creating music and connecting with people can sometimes be unpredictable, I know that in the end, it’s all about creating something positive, something that can help us all find common ground. If we dance, listen, and celebrate together, we can create a world that’s just a little bit brighter. Future funk is one of the ways I think we can get there.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/wokeupsauced
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wokeupsauced/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@96.FMFutureFunkRadio
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lolurltoolong

Image Credits

-Diego Hinajosa