DJ of the Month for April 2020

Bio

WARNING! Before he was a Heavy Hitter, a Party Rocker or the International Club King, DJ Camilo was just a Colombian kid from Queens named Juan Camilo Sanchez. Introduced to the art of turntables at age 12, Camilo debuted his first mixtape in the late 90’s called “CAMILO Vol. 1”. Encouraged by the positive response “CAMILO Vol. 1” received, Camilo began releasing monthly mixtapes and quickly made a name for himself in the NYC club scene. In 2001, he caught the eye of DJ Enuff, who worked at the most famous hip-hop radio station in America: New York’s Hot 97. Along with the late DJ Threat, Enuff invited Camilo to join their new DJ crew called The Heavy Hitters.

 

After earning himself a spot on Hot 97’s highly competitive roster, Camilo began hosting his own Saturday night show called “Take It to the Streets”. Camilo’s inaugural show was so successful that it led to him hosting an additional show on Friday nights called “The Heavy Hitter Hour.” After spotting growing interest in the Latin music market, Camilo began to blend Latin urban music into the traditional American hip-hop radio market at HOT 97; Camilo was one of the first influential DJs to merge both demographics live on air. Camilo currently co-hosts Hot97’s daily top programming block from 4PM to 7PM, which is the number one show in the U.S. radio market in that timeframe. He also continues to reign supreme as the International Club King; Camilo’s frequent club tours around the world have taken him to London, Paris, Dubai, Amsterdam, Saint Tropez, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Cannes, Germany, Japan, Finland, Italy, Sweden and more.

 

For two consecutive years (2017 and 2018), Camilo has been awarded National Club DJ of the Year by the Global Spin Awards. He was also named the top East Coast DJ for five consecutive years (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017). In late 2014, Camilo cemented his status as one of the country’s most in-demand DJs by signing to Roc Nation, becoming one of the first DJs to join the superstar talent roster. Camilo was also one of the original Ciroc Boyz DJs, alongside DJ Khaled, Funk Flex and fellow Heavy Hitter DJ Enuff.

 

In addition to his domination of the airwaves and clubs around the world, Camilo has expanded his entrepreneurial horizons to the hospitality industry by opening a Latin-fusion restaurant named Blend. The restaurant became so popular that it is now a trendy, in-demand dining chain with three locations: the original Blend and sister restaurant Blend on the Water in Long Island City, and Blend Astoria which opened in early 2017. Camilo further cemented his status as a rising hospitality entrepreneur to watch by opening an edgy pizza shop in Long Island City called sLICe in 2015.

 

Camilo is a happily married father of two who continues to play multiple clubs, six nights a week in both major domestic and international markets. Whether its a trendy NYC club, 60,000 fans at Hot 97’s Summer Jam or an exclusive celebrity party in Cannes, there’s nothing this Heavy Hitter can’t handle!

Past Picks of the Month

Diplo

Glenn Friscia

DJ Steelo

DJ Skribble

Dj Spinnaz

Hex Hector

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