I got to chat with one of our most popular hip-hop DJ’s on Fit Radio, Nacho Vega! Nacho Vega got his start learning from some fellow DJ friends (he was only 14!) and since then has been creating awesome hip-hop and house mixes and spinning around the US! Read on to find out more about one of our favorite DJ’s, Nacho Vega…
Where are you from?
I was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Grew Up in Orlando, Florida but I’ve lived in San Francisco, CA for the last 5 years.
Where is your favorite place to spin?
My favorite place to spin has to be at Temple SF where I do my residency. Although I’ve played at some amazing places in the US and Canada, Temple SF feels the most like home away from my studio at home.
What made you get into music and DJing?
The reason I got into the DJ culture was two different friends of mine. The first was Enrique Gonzalez aka Rick G of 3rd Wish whom at the time was called DJ Inferno and was one of Central Florida’s best Battle DJ’s. Rick taught me how to DJ every night for two weeks and let me borrow my first crate of records. I was 14 and he was 15.
Then I met Mark Villajandre aka Mark V. who taught me all about song selection and dance music when I was 16. From there the journey has been one filled with many friends and good memories.
Favorite food?
Pernil con Arroz y Gandules (I had to look this up, found out it was a delicious Puerto Rican dish made up of pork and yellow rice, yum!)
Favorite TV show/s?
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Archer, Doctor Who, sports, and my guiltiest pleasure; Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Paris, France. I’d love to take my wife Naomi there one day.
Do you have an idol? If so, who?
My idol and hero has to be my mom. No matter what she finds the good and wants to help everybody. She has endless amounts of love and I love that about her.
Favorite genre and/or style of music?
House and Hip-Hop. I grew up with both and both have been a part of every facet of my life. So like a picture album, I have so many memories tied to Hip-Hop and House Music.
What is your favorite thing about being a DJ?
My favorite thing about being a DJ has to be the improvisation playing records and the fact that every night is different. The crowd is different every night. Every place you play they have different moods as a dance floor, so you have to improvise and be creative to give the crowd a new and unique experience.
What is your favorite track at the moment (or favorite DJ/producer/artist is fine too) ?
Hands down favorite song right now is “G.O.O.D. Morning (Europe)” by 2 Chainz. The record is dope and suits a veteran of the Dirty South that reinvented himself as a persona that has brought credibility to the hyper swagged out culture that is Trap Music, the next evolution of the Dirty South Genre.
What type of equipment do you use?
I use a Native Instruments Traktor S2 DJ Controller. I switched to it one and half years ago from Serato Scratch Live and I have not looked back. Best investment for DJ’s that want all in one portability for any gig and the comfort of using the same physical and virtual DJ interface.
What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
Graduate college. It took time, commitment, and money. But overall, best investment of my life.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Funny. Crunk. Loyal.
Do you have any secret talents?
I’m a pretty awesome shadow puppeteer and Lego architect.
What do you do when you aren’t spinning?
I hang out with my wife Naomi, work as a Network Architect, exercise w/ Fit Radio at my local Stonestown San Fran YMCA and have a First Class ticket to the Jet Life on Flight 420.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself doing the exact same thing except with some little copies of Naomi and I running around to share in life with.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Mind reading. I think Mind reading would be awesome for obvious reasons, but I also don’t know if I want that kind of super power. It might be like the Kanye joint “No One Man should have all that Power”.
What are your thoughts on FIT Radio?
Fit Radio is awesome. It is like having an on-demand catalog of some of the world’s best DJs right at your fingertips, literally. Fit Radio has also given me the opportunity to share music with all the Fit Radio members around the world. Fit Radio is the premier music provider for fitness goers anywhere and everywhere. It’s probably one of the best mobile apps EVER!
