The DJ Scene in Cleveland: Shaping Sounds and Lives

The DJ scene in Cleveland is ripe for transformation, led by passionate and skilled local talents like DJ Wyder, DJ Smillz, and Bobby Booshay. These DJs aren't just playing music—they’re curating experiences, redefining the culture, and building connections that resonate beyond the turntables.

DJ Wyder: From Frat Parties to Residencies

DJ Jacob Wyder is new to the DJ scene but has already made a name for himself. He has a residency at Score Draft Room in Akron and also DJs weddings and college parties.

As a full-time college student at the University of Akron, where he studies Sales and Marketing, Wyder faces the challenge of balancing school, work, and social life.

Wyder’s DJ journey began at an Alpha Sigma Phi party, where a frat brother handled the music using Bluetooth and Spotify. Recognizing an opportunity to elevate the music quality, Wyder bought a small DJ board off Facebook Marketplace and took charge.

DJ LuDogg, the scheduling manager at Score, has played a pivotal role in mentoring Wyder. Reflecting on LuDogg’s impact, Wyder shared, “I …genuinely would not be a DJ right now if it weren’t just for him… He's really been the one that has trained me to where I am now, and I wouldn’t be in the spot that I am in if it wasn’t for just running into him and talking to him on the day of the Eclipse…”

Wyder aspires to play at clubs like Ivy and Barley House someday. Considering he’s only been DJing for nine months, the sky’s the limit. 

The Northeast Ohio DJ community is tight-knit, something Wyder values deeply. “I think that we do compete, especially with just the raw talent; there's so much talent in Cleveland, and you see how interconnected the communities are and the organizations people have formed… It’s not cutthroat competition. Obviously, people wanna do the best they can, but it’s not like people are fighting for spots as much. If you can pull your weight, you’re gonna get booked places,” he explained.

Follow Wyder on Instagram: @jacob.wyder

Bobby Booshay: A Self-Taught Pioneer in the Scene

Bobby Booshay, a prominent figure in Cleveland’s DJ scene, continues to rise through the ranks.

Hailing from Mentor, Booshay has been DJing for 13 years. He attended Ohio University, where he studied Music Production and Recording.

Booshay’s passion for DJing developed through attending EDM and rap shows. Though mostly self-taught, his love for music began early, as he played guitar and drums during his youth.

His first DJ gig was at Karma Coffee, a coffee shop in Downtown Willoughby. From there, Booshay progressed to larger venues, including Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Blossom Music Center, FWD, and Goodnight JohnBoy.

For Booshay, fans are the core of every show. “I think fans and crowd, it’s probably the most important thing as a DJ, and I think it’s one of the things people don’t realize when they think about DJing. Anybody can pick and play a popular hit song, but it takes a lot more thought to play that hit song and then curate a whole night. You’re reading people, their body language, their energy… At the end of the day, you want them to have a good time. You’re creating an atmosphere for them to let loose and just have fun,” he said.

Booshay takes pride in his ability to bring joy to others through his sets. “I think it’s a really good feeling. Some of us have harder lives than others, and we all do different things to escape the bad portions of our lives… It’s definitely very humbling, and I’m grateful for it,” he reflected.

When offering advice to aspiring DJs, Booshay said, “I think whether you're here or anywhere, just make sure you’re doing good work when you DJ. Be a solid person as much as you can be, and let your work speak for itself.”

Follow Booshay on Instagram: @bobbybooshay216

Follow Booshay on TikTok: @bobbybooshay216

Visit: www.bobbybooshay.com for performances and merch

DJ Smillz: Living the Dream

Kyle Macon, known as DJ Smillz, hails from Garfield Heights and has been DJing for about eight years. His love of music sparked his interest and passion for the craft. He began DJing in high school, inspired by studying radio DJs.

Smillz currently attends Kent State University, where he studies Communications and is set to graduate in Spring 2025. He’s the official DJ for Kent State’s women’s and men’s basketball teams and holds a residency at Dante’s Inferno in the Flats.

Smillz emphasizes the power of small gestures to create meaningful connections. “It starts at hello,” he explained. Recognizing that someone might be fighting a dark battle, Smillz aims to create a welcoming environment for everyone. The loss of a close friend, Ryan, to suicide profoundly impacted Smillz, motivating him to foster safe spaces at Kent State Athletic events.

Pursuing his dream of DJing required sacrifices and hard work. Last year, Smillz worked stocking shelves at ALDI at 6 AM while also managing his responsibilities at Kent State. Determined to DJ at Ivy, he approached the manager about openings. Although no DJ slots were available, a busser position was, and Smillz took it. His dedication paid off when he earned two Wednesday DJ slots.

In addition to his performances, Smillz gives back by hosting DJ workshops at Kent State, open to anyone interested in learning the craft.

For Smillz, DJing is about unity. “It’s given me a better understanding that music is a universal language,” he said.

Follow Smillz on Instagram: @aka.smillz

Follow Smillz on TikTok: @aka.smillz

Visit: www.djsmillz.com for the latest updates and bookings