Meet Yahdy Sensei: DJ, Producer, Music Label Digital Marketer, Anime Nerd

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yahdy Sensei and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yahdy, how do you think about risk?
At the end of the day, you have to a decision to make. If you play your cards right, you might make the right decision. Some days, if not most, you’re going to make the wrong decision. It’s okay though, you live and you learn. But the worst thing you can do, is not make a decision at all. When I was about 20 years old, I was faced with a tough decision. Should I stay in Indiana, continue trying to make ends meet via bar tending, working as a leasing agent to get reduced rent, all while taking care of family and drowning in depression? Or, do I leave, & just go for “it.” It’s crazy because, I didn’t even know what “it” was at the time, I just knew that the way my life was going, that this wasn’t “it.” So ultimately I took that risk to try and go find it. I searched high and low, from the east coast to the west coast (literally, I moved from New York to California and vise versa 6 times in 7 years.) only to find out that what I was looking for wasn’t in a specific location, it was within me. In general, it’s more intelligent to take calculated risks, as opposed to blind risks. Though I’d be lying if I said all my risks were calculated. I really just followed a feeling when I moved coast to coast 6 times, that was enough calculation for me. If I would have only taken risks when they were calculated, or made sense – I wouldn’t have taken any. I’d still be back home in Indianapolis, homeless and struggling, or maybe dead. Apply for and take that new job even if you’re experiencing imposter syndrome, if you really like that girl/guy, show them, if you really think something is calling you – just go for it. I know it isn’t always that simple, there are often extenuating circumstances that prevent us from going for it – what I’m saying by ‘go for it’ – is adopt the mentality of finding a way to make it happen. You deserve it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Music took over my life in such a weird way. It all started when I was sleeping on a close friend’s/big brother’s couch (thank you DG!) in the middle of his studio. Living in DG’s studio triggered my love for music in ways I hadn’t even realized. The irony, is that it took about 8 years from that realization of my love for music – for me to actually pursue creating anything. I truly loved music so much in such a child like manner. I was (still am) always the person who knew the new songs that we’re coming out and where to direct people to find them. I remember in high school losing my mind when I finally found out what Lil Wayne meant when he said “Real G’s move in silence like Lasagna.” Going to church, riding in the car, concerts (wow remember those?!), it all brought me so much JOY that I was afraid to taint it by hopping into music myself. So I kept my distance. It wasn’t until a few years ago when I officially entered the music industry, and I landed a job at Spotify! Through all the free food, company wide off-sites to The 4 Seasons hotels in dreamy locations, etc. My favorite part of my time there.. Was being a part of a small slack group dedicated to talking about what music we enjoyed. I posted at least 3x a day and I’m sure I annoyed my coworkers but I couldn’t get enough of it. Fast forward to last year, my homie Saheed was moving out of LA and had a DJ controller that he was trying to get rid of. I bought it instantly with no hesitation – I had finally decided to try this thing out, besides – iii .. wasn’t making the music, I was playing other people’s music! Come to find out that “playing other people’s music,” was an art form entirely within itself that I grew to fall in love with. That love progressed into producing (still learning!), and finally starting to create my own sound. What I love about my music, is the transparency and story telling within it. In my most recent mix, “Sensei’s Dojo V. 004 | 2021 Missed Calls” I not only put a dope body of work together, but I told a multitude of stories through anime scenes, I reached out to famous radio hosts for shoutouts, drops, and play characters, I used voicemails from my actual friends. Everything. It all came together so beautifully. That’s something I hold close to me, regardless of how big any of my music gets, knowing that whoever is listening is getting an authentic.. genuine.. story.. is really all I care about.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Okay bet so I’m Vegan so you best believe I’m taking the homies to all the vegan Spots! Monday – Pick up the homie from the airport, get settled and go on a nice little walk around arts distract DTLA! If it’s a nice night there will surely be people out and about! Might eat at Cafe Gratitude since it’s around there and then get some dessert at Salt & Straw! Tuesday – Museum day! Museum of Dream Space, The Getty, California Science Center, etc (Havne’t been to most of these places except the MODS but I heard the others are lit!) Grab food at Veggie Grill! Wednesday – Walk around Venice and or Santa Monica! I’d jokingly try to convince my homie to get a tattoo on the board walk haha. For food (this isn’t vegan) but you have to try Great American Fries! It’s literally this crazy pop up food truck-esque restaurant that specializes in FRIES. Garlic fries, Truffle Fries, Jalepeno Fries, you name it they have everything! Thursday – Beach day! I hope I’m not giving the secret away but the best beach that’s not too far from LA is Little Corona Beach in Del Mar. Parking is brutal.. but if you can find a spot you’ll be good! Watch an amazing sunset and then stop at my brother Skyler’s restaurant on the way back to LA. The Restaurant is called Munchies Diner! He has the vegan version of all your favorite foods and serves it up with love every time. I’m addicted Friday – I live in a big studio with my roommate who’s also immensely creative! So we’d have a kickback, party, creative session and invite a bunch of other creatives over. It could turn into a writing session, to jam session, who knows! During the day we’d have vegan soul food from Souley Vegan. Saturday – Some club or event! I’m not a big club guy but there’s always something happening in LA. Album release party, someone’s birthday, etc. So we’d figure out what the move was for that night and put our flyest clothes on to show out for a night. I’d recommend Doomies kitchen in Hollywood as our choice of where to eat! Sunday – A dope hike always rounds out a great visit – I’d ask the homie which of my favorite spot’s they enjoyed eating and we’d get a round 2 on that! Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many people… there aren’t enough letters in the alphabet.

Website: https://soundcloud.com/yahdysensei

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yahdysensei/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yahdy/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/YahdySensei

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yahdy.hardy

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_1tl1OMeyzZR6hEKBDn-Lw/featured

Image Credits
Matt Ryan, Hannah Sison