Meet John West | Dj & Photographer

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

Hi John, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Ultimately, I pursued a creative career because of the influence of my father. My father instilled in me the importance of working and having multiple sources of income starting in 8th grade when I received my first Dj board and speaker set. As I have grown older I realize photography and music are two of the ways that I as a Black man can express my individuality and freedom while living within an anti-black world. Through djing and photography, I am able to connect and celebrate my communities authenticity and beauty. Being a Chicago Southside native, I am pushing our history of Chicago-style stepping, house music, drill, and juke music further. I am using my skills to elevate Black and Brown joy and beauty and this is essentially why I set out to pursue a creative career, to uplift.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think something that sets me apart from other DJs is that I ultimately refused to be tied down by one drama because my love of music is so wide. I combine traditional Dj skills to make mixes between genres that would ultimately never be made like Afro-Latin mixes and Hip-Hop/Afrobeats Mixes. I also am combining the Chicago skating, juke, house, and drill culture in an attempt to bring Chicago music back into the forefront of the music industry. It ultimately took me my first 3 years to even get accustomed to the DJ techniques and skills, and it was a bit challenging teaching myself these skills but through practicing every day I was able to advance. The biggest challenges were expanding my business and increasing productivity and I was able to use my skills in communications to rebrand and market my business widely. Some lessons I have learned along the way are that you can not do anything alone and that it is really best to communicate when you are struggling. The second most important thing I have learned how to do is say no to certain events and gigs to protect my health, time, and peace. I want the world to know that Southwest Entertainment LLC is here to service the community and showcase the talent of Black and Brown individuals in an authentically creative way.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I was going to take my best friend anywhere here it would probably be to Skate Express in Chino Hills so that she can see how to live Cali skate culture is. The skate community is huge in California and I think I would have to explore this both from the skating rinks and by going to watch Skaters at Venice Beach. The Black on the Block pop-up market has also become one of my favorite past times as I have been able to build connections with other Black business owners. The most fun things to do in California have to honestly do with the art and music cultures of the LA area.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My business would not be what it is today without the contributions and investments that my mom and my friends have made to allow me to grow this business. The support system that I have developed through high school interactions was also crucial. I went to the UChicago Charter Schools and was constantly challenged and influenced by teachers and administrators at my school committed to the advancement of Black students. This relationship at school brought me interactions with my photography mentors Terrance Crayton and David Groves, who have elevated my business so much in the last 3 years. I was also able to connect with this lovely organization called The Academy Group Chicago, co-founded by one of my school’s administrators Shayne Evans. The Academy Group taught me how to develop my networking and communication skill so that I would become a change agent while navigating higher education. I would also be remiss without shouting out Dj Big Mobile an Inland Empire-based Dj and mentor who has ultimately helped me expand my business here in California. There are so many people to be thankful for and I think reaching back as you climb is essential.

Website: https://westj2000.wixsite.com/swentevents

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djjohn.sw/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-west-jr-758014170/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southwestentevents

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw-IcOWoq1xPfZcpHGqzz-A

Image Credits
Southwest Entertainment LLC