CSULA’s Reggaeton Rebel: A Interview with DJ William
- Salvador Valencia Cabello
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
William Reynoso is a DJ based out of East Los Angeles, he is lead DJ and Program Director of Cal State LA’s Golden Eagle Radio club. With plans to graduate from CSULA in Spring 2025, with a major in Computer Science and a minor in Real Estate. William’s interest in joining CSULA’s radio club coincided with college campuses emerging out of the Covid 19 pandemic, which shook many institutions around the world, and when college campuses began reintroducing students back onto campus in 2021. I’ve had the pleasure to speak with William about his time at Golden Eagle Radio and how it shaped his experience as DJ. This is our conversation, covering reggaeton, balancing student and DJ life and the benefits of being a college DJ.
How did you get into Djing? Cause I feel like we got Computer Science and real estate, and we got two different things.
“Honestly when I got into Djing, it was just because of music, music is a big part of my day to day, mashing up songs , I used to have app on my phone, playing around with it and what songs mixed together and if I had a idea I would try to mix them together. And that my uncle and my dad used to do it back then too.”
When did you become aware of the radio club?
“In 2020, since covid was around I wasn't able to come on campus, since everything was on zoom, so I joined GER around 2021 when they started asking people to come on campus, I had seen a Instagram post that they were hiring DJ’s, so I joined their zoom and from that day, the lead DJ he told me about the Tuesday bookstore events, he’s the one who intimated that weekly event. So he told me that we’ll give you an hour and see how you DJ if you liked it, to stay on as a GER DJ. And once I started coming more on campus, and joining the GER events, I got close to the lead DJ, who was close to graduating and they needed another Dj where it got passed down to me.”
From your time in the radio club, you’ve shown people how to get started as a DJ, help club members get shows on the air, what drives you to show people the ropes when they join the radio club?
“I think what motivates me is lending them a hand, supporting them, sometimes when you go into Djing, and you want to know about stuff, sometimes they don't really show you, and just want you to do it by yourself, so I want to be that lending hand, when i started that's the help I got, if not I wouldn't be the DJ I am now. Helping people get a audience too, not letting them down letting them continue to do what they like doing, for like podcasting getting people’s shows on air two days a week, three days whenever they want, I want to have that support bringing them a audience and showing people that there's new people who like doing podcasting, so people listen to them
I feel like on a campus like Cal State LA, for students who want to get into DJing and podcasting, students need all the help they can get right?
“Sometimes a video can't really teach you a lot, and you learn more with a person, so you can get hands-on experience.”
I know you're graduating this spring 2025, how do you feel like you’ve grown from when you started back in 2021?
“I think I can tell you, that i've grown a lot from when i first started Djing, when i first started i didn't Mc like i didn't speak on the mic and announcements, and i didnt have a variety of music out there, or how to interact with other dj’s and an audience. That i've grown from djing from the first time is being able to loosen up, be better on the mic, mixing and reading the crowd, you know. What they want to her, give people what they want, for when you're DJing you're playing for the people so you kinda got to figure out what they want.
And do you feel that the audience of a college campus influences you as a Dj?
“Showing other people what I like doing, rather than somebody who knows me outside of campus, it influences me to branch myself out there to different people. It's different from family members who know hispanic music, and then on campus we have a variety of people , that's influenced me to know other kinds of music.”
What kind of are you interested in and how does translate into your Djing”
“The kind of music i like to play is reggaeton, that's like the top music i liked playing and that comes from my childhood, my dad listened a lot of old school reggaeton, so i kind of have that influence on myself on how i DJ and what kind of music i play. And yeah, I think reggaeton is one of them. Hip hop is one of them. I really like hip hop, always listening to English and Spanish music.
Are there any particular artist that inspired you?
“Honestly there's one DJ, he was one of the first DJ’s to play and bring reggaeton, his artist name is DJ Playero. I think that takes back to the old school reggaeton, not the modern reggaeton that is popular now, the old school reggaeton is what I grew up with. I think that DJ Playero has shown me how to be a DJ and the kind of music he brings to the reggaeton culture. Artists like Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Tego Calderon, all like the old school reggaeton music, that's the type of music I like when mixing.
And the kinds of the music you like playing throughout your mixes.
“Yeah, year correct, correct, cause there's not a lot of dj’s nowadays that have the idea of the reggaeton back then, especially with like the reggaeton now, dj’s play what's trending now, and that's what makes me kinda unique.
What have you learned about yourself and audiences when playing reggaeton music?
“So when it comes to reggaeton what i've noticed when i'm mixing them together is that it has the same pattern, and once you figure out that pattern, it makes the easier when matching songs. You’ll be able to play any kind of reggaeton because of the same pattern, and when playing music as a fan for reggaeton, it's different from when I play it for other people. Because I like their expression or sometimes, reliving their childhood or maybe they forgot about this song, and then they’re like oh snap i forgot about this song. It's definitely a good experience when you see people vibing to the same music you like, especially when it's connected to memories you had back then.
Are there any memorable moments from your time as lead GER DJ?
“I think of all moments throughout my time at the radio station, like to socialize with other people, when setting up or taking down for events. When the departments had events, like Midnight Madness, I think that the memorable moment for the time I've been in GER, because I was able to be the official DJ for the basketball teams, for all the sports that Cal State la has. It's always good that they give you that opportunity to showcase GER Dj’s. And to play for a big crowd, students, parents, you're able to show the skills you have. One of the best moments as a GER DJ is playing music and people dancing to it. I think thats the one of the most memorable moments, them reaching out to me and having me, it was one of the best opportunities I’ve gotten.
How have you felt as Dj and student balancing the two throughout your four years at CSULA?
“You really have to balance out being on task, being able to turn in your assignments, so later to do something you really like doing, like Djing, so ill always like make sure i have everything done. And when an event would come up, make sure to organize my playlist, staying up all night to mix songs, which ones to go first, which ones that go next.”
And you’ve also dabbled in dancing, can tell me about that time experience as a creative outlet.
“ Oh yeah I started dancing around the same time I joined GER, the reason i got into dancing, back then I would dance when no one was around, being invited to 15’s and other surprise dances, that got me out of my comfort zone to join dance here at CSULA. And to have the experience and meet new people, seeing people do what you like to do. While Djing for the radio club. Making the mixes for the dance team, where doing the choreographing, making the mix for the dance team. And the kind of music I like dancing to is Reggaeton.
It all comes back to reggaeton, huh?
“Yeah, that kind of music really blends well into dance.Being a part of Relevance for about two years, doing something I’ve never done before.”
Thank you for your time doing this interview.
That was my conversation with DJ William Lead DJ and program Dictator for California State University Los Angeles’s Golden Eagle radio club. Catch him Djing on campus and at Golden Eagle’s Radio 2025 Takeover.
