Like most newcomers, disc jock Josh Era didn’t have an easy journey in the music game. He has endured several setbacks but his staunch conviction to succeed was always his main focus.

Recently, he was appointed to the resident DJ post at Di Lot on Constant Spring Road. It’s an accomplishment that caught him by surprise, and one in which he believes will accelerate his career to even greater heights.

“I had sent my information to them [management of Di Lot] previously and I didn’t even remember about it. And one day they called me and said they needed a DJ to play regularly. I met with some of the owners/managers and from there we started working together,” Josh Era told the Jamaica Observer recently.

“This signifies consistency on my part as a DJ… This accomplishment does mean a lot to me as I have always wanted to be a resident DJ somewhere. I was never very specific about where, so this works out quite well. I play most days expect Tuesdays and Sundays,” said Josh Era.

The disc jock has been steadily making a name for himself at parties and events around the Corporate Area.

“The journey has [had] its ups and downs, but all the different tests or obstacles I’ve been through have made me stronger and more resilient to challenges. I can say, starting out trying to make your name, a lot of people don’t really give you the time of day, but I just had to use that to push myself further,” he said.

Josh Era disclosed that the road to where he is now has bolstered who he has become. He added that it has been a hard climb:

“Initially, starting out, promoters didn’t want to book me because I was new on the scene. Just by gaining experience and continuing to push were factors that changed things. I kept putting in the work because there were people who didn’t believe in me at first. Yes there were many times I thought about stopping and I once gave it a break at one point, but when you really love something, and you’re made to do it, it always comes back your way,” he shared.

Josh Era describes being from a single-parent, middle-class household, sharing that it was while attending St George’s College that he discovered his love for the craft.

“Honestly, I always wanted to be a DJ, from I was in third form I began to fool around music. I started collecting music from an early age, but I always knew that I wanted to do something in music. Initially my family always thought doing music was a bit untraditional, and at first didn’t really know what I was doing, but after seeing the work I put in they are a lot more supportive now than before,” he stated.

He put his studies at the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) on hold to follow his musical ambitions.

“What has kept me going is just the natural ambition and wanting to achieve my goals. Sometimes you have to use the negative energy you receive from people and channel it into energy that can be used to push you further. So, I decided to follow music and put studies on hold,” said Josh Era, who had pursued studies in information technology.

Having worked with several emcees over the years, today he works alongside Kingstyle Boss, whose sharp skills on the mic have helped to enhance his presentation.

“I have worked with many emcees over the years, but I’m currently working with Kingstyle Boss and our musical chemistry is very good. From the first event we played at about 8-9 months ago we just had an organic connection and we continued to develop on it the more we play out and practice,” said the disc jock.

Josh Era’s talents as a DJ have been on display at events such as Super Heavy Wednesdays, 8 Rivas Lounge Glow Fridays, Tuff Crowd, 11:59, St Catherine Carnival, among others.