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

Hi Dja, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I started songwriting at a very young age of 8. My family had an impact on the type of music I would listen to which was a lot of hip hop, R&B and Spanish music. I became captivated with how rappers conveyed a message or story with a certain flow. This inspired me to start writing and although music is subjective, my first songs weren’t the best. I do my best to get better over time. I started writing over popular beats I liked on YouTube beats. It wasn’t until I was in college when I started making my own beats. I learned a lot about audio production through YouTube and working with other artists. I realized I can create my own sound instead of just following trends or using other peoples stuff. I really enjoy listening to great singers and the incredible runs they go on. This is also true for Spanish singers although I don’t speak Spanish. I didn’t start singing until I was a bit older. It was always something I enjoyed doing but once I learned singing techniques and keys, I took it a bit more seriously. I’m constantly working to improve my craft so although I may not be the greatest I do my best to give my best performance passionately.

I’ve had distractions in the past that kept me from improving my skills, whether it be bad relationships or parties. They took time away from learning my craft and I think I would be a bit more knowledgeable and experienced if I had prioritized myself at a younger age. Self awareness is a crucial skill not just in music but in life. It led me to a path of self improvement which I think helped me create better music. This allowed me to further tap in to the type of music and sound I want to create. Communication is also key whether it be communicating with other artists or friends and family. Just being on the same page with those around you and those you’re working with directly is an essential part of the process. I think one of the most important skills is being patient with the process. There have been countless times when I’ve been working on a song and I just want it to be done already so I can have a final product to listen to. However, I had to learn to not rush the song making process because I think it can affect the final product. Some songs do take longer than others whether it’s creating the idea, songwriting or the production aspect. I view them as pieces of art so I treat them as such. This could be an obstacle because sometimes the perfectionist part of me will come out but I do my best to make the wait worth it.

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

I fell in love with music at an early age. I enjoyed listening to artists as much as I enjoyed listening to chord progressions. Music always helped me get in a better mood and get through challenges and part of the reason I started creating music was because I hoped my music could do the same for others. I make a lot of hip-hop and R&B tracks. I write about my own life experiences and lessons I have gained from them. I think this is something that sets me apart from others because my music comes from an authentic place. I think another thing that sets me apart is versatility. I do my best to create a broad range of songs so I’m not just pinned to one certain sound. I feel many different types of emotions and I do what I can to convey it in my songs. I would like listeners to have a wide range of options when looking through my catalog. Although I mainly make hip-hop and R&B, I would like to branch out into other genres in the future.

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

As an artist I really enjoy creating a vibe that others can enjoy and live their own lives to. I always hoped my music would have a positive impact on others so when people tell me that it has or that they enjoy it, it’s a very rewarding and humbling feeling. My music is a form of self expression so should anybody relate, understand or just enjoy it, then it makes me feel like I’m not so alone. Music is very comforting for me so I hope that it’s comforting for others.

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

I started creating music as a form of self expression but as I grew older I realized that what I’m creating is a legacy. Something that will outlast me that people will remember and know me by. With this in mind I do my best to create the most genuine content I can make. I would like people to listen to my music and feel like they get an insight of who I am as a person. I’m an extension of my family so I definitely hope to make them proud. My family is the biggest driving force for what I do. Although I’m creating my own legacy, making a better way for my family is one of my main goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ffm.bio/djafromdaygo
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djafromdaygo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djafromdaygo/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/djafromdaygo
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@djafromdaygo?si=lRHP6We4OYekEkz7
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djafromdaygo

Image Credits

Preston Parr
Bessy Cubias