How did you start as a DJ?

My inspiration to be a DJ came from attending family parties and All Star Entertainment. I always paid interest to DJ's since early childhood. When I attended private parties with my family, I took notice of the music that the DJ's played. Interestingly, I already had knowledge of the music the DJed played and felt I could rock a party just like him. At the same time my brother was promoting for DJ Sharad and All Star Entertainment in the desi scene. My brother would come home and bring me back the All Star mixtapes. I would listen to it and burned my own CD's. I became inspired to start spinning when I saw DJ Sharad, Ash G, and Juicy at an All Start party for the 2003 India Day Parade at Roxy.

I started saving up money and bought my own system. I played with all types of DJ software and made my own mixes. My first party that I used my own system was at a Sweet 16 and received three bookings just from that party!

How long have you been with DJUSA and how have you seen the company evolve?

I've been with DJUSA for the last eight years. It all started when DJ Sharad and I were both hired by different clients at The Sterling in Long Island. Sharad was in the big room and I was spinning in the smaller room. Since he knew my brother, Sharad came to the small room during his break and introduced himself. Sharad offered a job to work at DJUSA and I started with him that same summer. My first DJUSA gig was working as a roadie for a big production at Terrace on the Park and I remember going to Sharad's house at 6am and returning 24 hours later!

You can clearly say I started at DJUSA when it was a smaller operation and I personally can attest to its growth over the last decade to different markets outside of the South Asian industry. DJUSA is larger and owns a lot more top of the line equipment. Despite a very competitive market, DJUSA is setting trends for other companies. DJUSA was the first to launch the concept of an event host, lighting, and lounge décor at South Asian events. We have the best MC's and DJ's. I am proud to be part of the DJUSA family!

What do you think sets you apart from the other DJUSA DJ's?

I think what sets me apart is my tenure at DJUSA. I literally grew up with the company. I've been here for the longest and seen DJUSA evolve from the early beginning. I've worked at all levels at DJUSA – roadie, tech, DJ, sales, and management – and this has allowed me to learn everything from the inside out. At DJUSA, I have gained more knowledge about music, mixing, blending, cutting in, cutting out, and lot of other different ways not only just to play music, but also to ensure a smooth flow and keep the party alive!

You wear multiple hats at DJUSA (tech, DJ, sales), which role do you enjoy the most?

Throughout the years I have learned about all the high quality products and services DJUSA offers to clients. I have the ability to operate lighting, video, sound and of course I'm a DJ. Part time, I also work in the office doing sales. Among all the different levels, I enjoy DJing the most. I love the feeling of commanding a crowd with music and the joy of seeing people dance to the music I play. It makes me happy to make others happy.

What was your favorite event and why?

I don't show favoritism to any event in particular, however I've learned the essentials of a great event is to be positive and form a proper itinerary. I like to be prepared with all information about the event and receive feedback to make myself even better.

The biggest events I worked in 2013 was the daughter's wedding of a prestigious client where I had the opportunity to rock the same crowd two days in a row at their home and Cipriani's in NYC. I also like to travel so through DJUSA I had the opportunity to DJ at private events in Panama and Chile, which gave me the exposure of meeting new people and spinning for different ethnic groups and Indians outside the US.