Jeff Labastida a.k.a. DJ sosoJEFF is from Carson, CA. His name is a play-on-words of Jermaine Dupri’s record label, So So Def. He has been mixing and editing music since 2008, but he picked up DJing in 2011. He first learned the basics using the djay iPhone app and a small controller. He would play for his friends at small parties but it wasn’t until 2012 that he began to take it seriously. At the time, he was heavily involved in urban dance as a member of CSULB’s PAC Modern and Culture Shock Los Angeles, a hip-hop dance team known for hosting an all-day hip-hop educational workshop called H4 (Hip Hop Has History). He attended the DJ workshop that was taught by DJ Mike Motion and DJ Icy-Ice of the World Famous Beat Junkies. He was exposed to the world of scratching and turntablism and was immediately consumed by it. He invested in a pair of turntables and has never looked back.
To this day, it is his still his equipment of choice. He made a name for himself in the college scene DJing for open mic nights, local parties, and club events. In 2013, he won a DJ competition hosted by Underworld Productions that introduced him to the Hollywood nightclub scene. He was recruited by TastyLBC in 2014 that allowed him to continue to DJ locally and in Hollywood. It was through TastyLBC that he met DJ A_Ron and joined him on his weekly show on Traklife Radio in 2015 where he’s been able to meet artists of different backgrounds and mix on live radio. He joined the Academy of DJs team in 2017 and was an instructor for Season 4. He has learned a lot in his journey thus far and is excited to share these experiences and teach this upcoming generation of DJs!
Aside from DJing, DJ sosoJEFF works in the bio-tech industry as a product specialist. Outside of work he enjoys modifying his Nissan 240sx and Subaru WRX, collecting sneakers, jerseys, and toys such as Rubik’s cubes and kendamas or things from his favorite childhood movies and shows such as Power Rangers and Star Wars. His favorite sports teams are the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Broncos. When he’s not working or DJing, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends. His ideal party would be a backyard bbq with some throwback jams.
Good Fridays LA @ Ohm Nightclub/Lure in Hollywood opening up for artists such as Tinashe, Omarion, Cassie, Christina Milian, DJ Mustard, 2 Chainz, and more
Rewind OC/LA
Agaves, Moonshiners, Federal Bar in Downtown Long Beach
On Air with A_Ron Tuesday Nights on Traklife Radio
Resident DJ for Fabletics Del Amo Mall
DJ for PAC Modern, Culture Shock LA
Agaves, Moonshiners, Federal Bar in Downtown Long Beach
DJ sosoJEFF is an open-format DJ that incorporates scratching and turntablism techniques in his sets regardless of genre. His biggest inspirations come from old school vinyl DJs such as DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Craze, A-Trak, Invisibl Skratch Piklz, and the World Famous Beat Junkies, all of which continue to thrive in today’s industry while still staying true to their turntablist roots.