Coming Together at DJX 2025: A Reflection on 35 Years of Legacy
“DJX 2025 reminded me of something simple yet profound: music has the power to unite us. DJing is more than spinning records or controlling software. It’s storytelling, it’s connection, it’s the act of bringing people together.”
By Mike Garrett aka DJ Mike 2 DJs 1 Mic
I would like to take a moment and really sit with what I just experienced at DJX as they celebrated 35 years of hosting a DJ-only show. Thirty-five years. Let that sink in for a second. That’s not just longevity, it’s legacy. That’s decades of consistency, decades of shaping culture, decades of building something that outlived trends, technology shifts, and generational divides. To witness it firsthand this year was more than attending a conference, it was stepping into a living testament of what happens when passion, art, and community are nurtured with care.
And there’s something about the theme they chose this year, “Come Together” that keeps ringing in my spirit. It wasn’t just a slogan printed on banners. It was alive. You could literally see it in the hallways, in the lounges, at the booths, in the music. People from all over, different states, different countries, different age groups, different ethnicities, came together for one cause: the love of DJing.
This is the cause I fell in love with when I was about 13 or 14 years old. Back then, I didn’t know this passion would one day lead me into rooms with legends and innovators. I just knew there was something magical about music, about the turntables, about moving people through sound. And this year at DJX reminded me why I’ve never fallen out of love with it.
Sitting with Legends, Learning from Peers
One of the greatest joys this year was sitting down with DJs whose names carry weight across the world. I had the chance to connect with Kool DJ Red Alert, the legendary voice and presence who helped lay the blueprint for what so many of us do today. Then there was Skratch Bastid, whose creativity on the turntables continues to expand the definition of artistry. And then you look over and there’s DJ Ease, someone pushing boundaries, and DJ Elite, who at just 12 years old, was performing alongside his father, DJ Unique.
That father-son moment touched me deeply. It wasn’t just a interview, it was a living example of what it means to pass on knowledge, to pass on legacy. It was seeing hip-hop and DJ culture not just survive, but thrive through generations.
And in every conversation with these DJs, one consistent message came through: love.
Not the type of love you claim casually, but the kind you prove with dedication. The kind of love that doesn’t fade when the crowds thin, when the gear breaks down, when the bookings slow. The love that keeps you putting in hours, practicing, studying, pushing your creativity forward, not because you’re chasing fame, but because you can’t not do it.
That’s the type of love I was reminded of at DJX. And it’s a love that builds unity. Because when you’re truly passionate about something, you see it in others, no matter where they’re from or how different their story might be.
The Atmosphere of Growth and Celebration
DJX 2025 wasn’t just about networking or testing the newest gear. Yes, the vendors were there, working hard to showcase the latest products, teaching DJs how to maximize tools, and letting people test things out firsthand. Yes, there were live performances at booths that drew crowds and applause. But it was more than that.
It was about celebration with growth woven in.
The energy in the room was pure joy. DJs celebrated DJs. Peers encouraged peers. You could see people in awe, eyes wide open, soaking up every detail of what was happening around them. And in that, there was growth, because inspiration itself is a form of education.
That’s what struck me most: DJX created an atmosphere where fun and growth weren’t opposites. They were partners. You could be entertained while learning. You could laugh and vibe while being challenged to think differently. That balance is rare, and when an event gets it right, you don’t forget it.
The Question of Legacy: How Do We Build on This?
One of the questions that lingered with me as I reflected on the event was: how do we build on this?
It’s one thing to attend a show, to be amazed, to take notes and shake hands. But what happens after? How do we not lose the momentum? How do we share the message with those who weren’t there?
Because the truth is, DJing is not just an art, it’s a business. And in any business, you must invest in yourself. You can’t expect to be a great doctor without medical school. You can’t expect to be a lawyer without studying law. And you can’t expect to grow in this DJ game without educating yourself, surrounding yourself with community, and staying plugged into the culture.
That’s what DJX is about, it’s an investment. An investment in craft, in self, in community. And if more DJs understood that, more DJs would show up.
A Moment That Stole the Show: DJ Larry D’s Performance
If I had to pinpoint one absolute highlight, it came at one of the closing parties. Now, closing parties are always special, but this year, this year was different.
DJ Larry D from Pioneer stepped behind the decks, and what he did was unlike anything I’ve ever seen.
This wasn’t your average video set. He wasn’t just mixing artist videos or syncing MP4s with beats. No, this was an elevated performance that combined live DJing, intricate video editing, AI elements, and creativity so layered it’s honestly hard to explain with words.
It wasn’t just a set. It was art.
The marriage of music and visuals was seamless, thoughtful, and emotionally moving. At one point, I stopped trying to analyze what he was doing and just allowed myself to be taken into the experience. That’s when you know it’s real.
I walked away thinking: this is game-changing. DJ Larry D needs to be given more space at DJX to curate and innovate on this level, because what he’s doing pushes the entire culture forward. I have deep respect for him, and I am grateful I was in the room to witness that moment.
Respect Where It’s Due: The Team Behind DJX
Of course, none of this happens without the people behind the scenes. I want to give real respect to Shawn and his team. They’re not a massive crew in numbers, but the way they move, you’d think they were an army.
Every decision they make has purpose. They operate with discipline, dedication, and vision. And because of that, they pull off something that feels larger than life every single year. For 35 years, they’ve been holding this space for DJs, and that is no small feat.
On behalf of 2 DJs 1 Mic, I just want to say how grateful I am that we had the opportunity to be part of DJX 2025. The connections we made, the stories we heard, the experiences we shared, it all reinforced the reason we do what we do.
The Call to DJs Everywhere: Don’t Miss the Next One
Here’s the thing: if you’ve never been to DJX, you owe it to yourself to go. If you went years ago but haven’t been back, it’s time to return. Because this isn’t just a conference—it’s a community coming together.
And now, after 2025, the next step is even more important: staying together.
We’ve proven we can come together under one roof. We’ve proven we can celebrate each other, challenge each other, inspire each other. But the real challenge is in what we do after we leave those hotel ballrooms and convention halls. The real challenge is carrying that same spirit of unity back into our cities, our venues, our businesses, and our everyday lives.
That’s how culture grows. That’s how legacies are strengthened. That’s how we make sure that when DJX celebrates its 40th anniversary, its 50th anniversary, the spirit of “Come Together” isn’t just a slogan, but a reality that has shaped an entire industry.
Final Thoughts
As I sit back and replay those moments in my mind, the laughter, the performances, the conversations, the pure joy, I feel grateful. Grateful for the artform I fell in love with as a teenager. Grateful for the opportunity to stand alongside legends and newcomers alike. Grateful for a community that continues to evolve but never forgets its roots.
DJX 2025 reminded me of something simple yet profound: music has the power to unite us. DJing is more than spinning records or controlling software. It’s storytelling, it’s connection, it’s the act of bringing people together.
And if we can carry that spirit beyond the walls of a convention center, if we can bring that unity into our daily grind, then not only will DJX continue to thrive for decades to come, the DJ community itself will thrive in ways we’ve only begun to imagine.
So here’s my message: let’s not just come together, let’s stay together.