Today we’d like to introduce you to Tayo Oyewuwo.
Hi Tayo, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a Nigerian-American twenty-something, born and raised primarily in Houston, Texas, with short chapters in other cities and countries. Music has always been a cathartic experience for me. I grew up playing piano; by eight years old, I was copying the notes from my favorite Beyoncé and Bruno Mars songs and replaying them until they were memorized.
During my freshman year of college, I randomly downloaded the “djay” app on my phone after an overwhelming day. I turned my phone sideways, started mixing terribly, and played with every knob out of pure curiosity. That curiosity grew quickly. I spent weeks on Reddit and YouTube consuming everything I could about DJing and song selection. I played for months on that app and felt like I’d discovered a new world. I used to screen-record my transitions, play them in the car and send them to all my friends for feedback.
A couple months later, I started listening differently at functions. I could guess which songs the DJs would transition into because I had been mixing those same songs on my phone every night. That gave me the confidence to find out what I could do with real equipment. I hadn’t really seen any female DJs apart from DJ Duffey at the time, so the idea of becoming one myself still felt very intimidating.
In the summer of 2019, my friends came over one day and we were all a little bored, so I convinced my friend Precious to drive us to Guitar Center so I could check out DJ boards in person. I wanted a Serato DDJ controller but didn’t have the extra $50 for taxes. Without question, Precious covered the difference and told me, “You better use this.” Lol I said done.
Within a week of practicing on an actual board, I recorded a short set of female rappers’ songs and posted it on Twitter. The transitions were clean, the mix was cool and the response was overwhelmingly positive. That moment kind of pushed me to keep going.
By December 2019, I finally built up the courage to DJ live at a Christmas party I hosted. All my friends came with high energy, and it became a real core memory. The party got so lit that the cops eventually shut it down. Multiple people pulled me to the side asking if I was really mixing live. I still get that question. And yes—my blend game is really that ill. I’ve been a big believer in clear transitions since day one.
Since then, the journey has been a mix of highs and lows. I’ve felt a warm embrace from the city of Houston but I’ve also felt a bit overlooked by my peers in this space. In 2022, I felt a breakthrough when I first got booked internationally for a two-night run at Deja Vu, a downtown Toronto Afrobeats nightclub. Those nights were electric from start to finish. Deja Vu is still rocking ‘til this day. SXSW 2025 was another surreal, reassuring milestone. DJing is such an outlet for me. I can feel music and instrumentation on a cellular level. A good playlist can shift the energy of any space, and that’s why I do this.
Some people try to discredit me because they think I should be “on” 24/7 to deserve a seat at the table. What they miss is that artists never stop creating. My art is the substance and shock absorber of my life. I view this as a marathon, not a sprint, not a race against anybody. Whenever I’m quiet, I’m usually curating Coachella styled sets or producing Kaytranada, Ayra Starr or Bryson Tiller type beats in my bedroom—unless of course I’m at work, the gym, the tennis court, somebody’s restaurant or church.
There’s more I could say, but I’ll leave it here…walk with me through this soundtrack called life, and maybe the things I find will find you too.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. I’ve had expensive equipment stolen at gigs and dealt with safety concerns while moving between venues. The technical difficulties can be excruciating at times but those always get sorted out somehow. My biggest challenge is that I’m my own toughest critic. I’m sitting on hundreds of recorded mixes and unposted content from successful shows. I’ve struggled to capture the true essence of a DJ T.Y. set on film, and some of my best sets have happened completely off the record. I remind myself that every challenge is still a privilege to be in this position. I get to do this, not have to.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m DJ T.Y., an open-format DJ. My favorite genres to spin include Afrobeats, Hip-Hop, Trap, R&B, Trapsoul, Neosoul, Afro-House, and a range of global sounds. I specialize in blending across genres seamlessly. I also enjoy mixing classic ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s records—some of my most memorable gigs have been private events for crowds aged 45+, pure flow state. I’ve played multiple country bars on Washington Avenue in Houston as well, so reading a room and curating the right set for any audience is something I always take seriously.
I’m known for being a skilled and confident DJ. I always show up prepared with something new; I never rely solely on old set lists or recycled transitions. Preparation is where the magic happens for me. I know I’ve tapped into something special when I get goosebumps on the first listen—and if I still feel it the next day, that sequence gets locked in my arsenal for the right moment. It’s like building a collection of Lego sets over time.
What I’m most proud of are my international bookings—Toronto, Greece, and other insane destinations. It never stops blowing my mind that people overseas resonate with my sound and recognize my value as a creative artist. Another standout moment was when Davido reposted one of my mixes on Instagram. I’ve been a fan of his work for years, so that nod meant a lot. Playing at SXSW 2025 was also surreal, not the main stage yet but I’ll come back around for that.
I think what sets me apart is my ability to drop into full creative obsession mode and tell stories through my sets. I’m intentional about every choice—the lyrics, the beats, the pacing. I’m heavily inspired by Beyoncé’s and Kendrick Lamar’s creative discipline. I don’t always choose the obvious tracks; I know when less is more, and I’m never afraid to introduce an audience to something new. I want to look back and be proud of everything I’ve put into the world, and so far, I am.
I’m so honored to share my story with Voyage Houston. Every bit of my success comes from God. Prayer works. My name means “mine is worthy of joy”—and I focus on living up to that meaning every day so that I can serve in the way that God designed.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I’m so blessed to have many. Traveling the world with my sisters and parents whenever we had the chance. Learning tennis at four years old and spending every single summer competing in the Texas heat, with pizza and soda as the reward—“beer,” as my coach Michael jokingly called it. I always kept a portable MP3 player tucked into my waistband during practice, so in hindsight, I was never far from music.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okaytayo?igsh=MXJ2azVjeWo3YndvNw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/3jcOKgMhxMDJFy4aoy
Image Credits
@thahumbleking – credit for personal photo (red).
