Queens, New York native DJ Lobo has been pumpin’ up parties for almost 20 years now. Born Christian Garcia, he started out at age 14 as a backup DJ for his brother working the weddings and Sweet 16 circuit. After carefully observing his older hermano at work, Lobo took a shine to the wheels of steel, specifically the art of spinning and mixing. “My passion grew from just seeing everyone rocking out to the music and just being able to have that control over the dance floor,” Lobo said of how he fell in love with deejaying and why he ultimately chose to make it a full-time career instead of a weekend hobby.
Word of the skilled, young disc jockey traveled throughout his borough. With a rep that preceded him, Lobo landed his first nightclub gig by the age of 16. Before he knew what was happening, Lobo was rockin’ crowds at nightclubs throughout the boroughs of New York City. This led him to jobs at major nightclubs in other cities like Houston, Miami, Atlanta and Los Angeles. The next step was a natural one — it was onward and upward to radio of course. His career on the airwaves began in 2000 when he acquired a slot on Friday and Saturday nights on New York’s Latino Mix 105.9 FM. His pre-club, energy-inducing mixes captivated the station’s listeners. Thanks to his burgeoning popularity, Latino Mix gave Lobo a daily show afternoon show appropriately dubbed “The Traffic Jam.”
Today, the Heavy Hitters affiliate has moved on to La Mega 97.9 FM, the #1 rated radio station in the country where his show which is also in the top slot, can be heard from Monday through Friday from 7 p.m. to midnight. When he’s not blasting through the airwaves, or manning DJ booths around the world, he’s holed up in a studio cookin’ up one of his spicy mix tapes. His latest concoction stars urban Merengue artist Omega, dropped in July and is available on his website, djlobo.com.
But DJ Lobo is not stopping there. Having the wherewithal to realize that alternative distribution methods and technology could only increase his fan base, Lobo took on another project two years ago — the development of his very own mobile app. The recently updated app — available for both Apple and Android devices — offers nearly 30 new mixes a week in over 15 different genres. It also offers music videos, Lobo’s touring schedule, profiles on some of Latin music’s biggest stars, and some other cool features.
The DJ Lobo app has become a worldwide phenomenon. “I’m in shock and surprised at the countries that are downloading [it,]” Lobo exclaimed. “It’s like a worldwide virus. My number four country is India. Obviously the first country that I have is the United States, followed by Dominican Republic, Mexico, Thailand, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the list just goes on and on.”
During one of his many studio sessions, the world-famous DJ chatted with ‘LLERO to give us his very own full count — Lobo’s do’s and don’ts to fast-track your climb up the success ladder — for whatever ladder you choose to climb!
Do’s
1. Consistency Is Key
“You have to be consistent at what you do, always.”
2. Loyalty Is Everything
“Stay loyal to the people that helped you out over the years.” According to Lobo, opportunities arise from the relationships you build over time and loyalty can make or break those chances.
3. Technology Is Your Friend
“Some of the older DJs don’t really like [technology] ‘cause they’re still stuck with it; but with technology, you just have to go with the flow of it. It’s just making life easier for you.”
Don’ts
1. Don’t Do Bad Business
“Never screw anybody over,” he warned with a laugh.“Don’t do bad business with anybody, because that might come back and bite you [back.]” That includes overpromising and under-delivering as well as speaking ill about others whom you work with.
2. Don’t Disappoint
“Never let anybody down,” he said. “You promise something, you have to follow through with it.”
Spoken like the true heavy hitter that DJ Lobo is.
Images courtesy of the subject