Lights, Camera…DJ Akshen
Veteran. Husband. Father. DJ. Champion of positivity. These are just a few of the titles that define Jay Valdez, better known in the world of turntablism as DJ Akshen.
A true Arizona talent, Akshen isn't just a party starter; he's an award-winning DJ. His skills on the turntables earned him the coveted title of Phoenix Regional Red Bull 3Style Champion and Phoenix...
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Lights, Camera…DJ Akshen
Veteran. Husband. Father. DJ. Champion of positivity. These are just a few of the titles that define Jay Valdez, better known in the world of turntablism as DJ Akshen.
A true Arizona talent, Akshen isn't just a party starter; he's an award-winning DJ. His skills on the turntables earned him the coveted title of Phoenix Regional Red Bull 3Style Champion and Phoenix NewTimes' "Best Turntablist" in 2015. He even brought his talents to the national stage, finishing as a top five finalist among the country's best DJs that year.
Akshen's impact reaches well beyond the competitive arena. Representing the esteemed international hip-hop collective Furious Styles Crew, he has captivated audiences worldwide, with performances spanning from London and Barcelona to the Bahamas and Romania. Cementing his legacy in the industry, Akshen was selected to serve as an International DJ Judge for the 2024 DMC World DJ Finals in Paris.
When he's not behind the decks, Akshen is busy fostering the next generation of DJs. He co-founded Fader Manners, a monthly event where aspiring DJs can hone their scratch skills, and organizes the annual AZ DJ Summit, a networking hub for the local DJ community. His passion for education extends even further: Akshen is an artist-educator and global Hip Hop Ambassador for the U.S. State Department's Next Level program, sharing his knowledge with students overseas and organizations like Disney Cruise Lines, the YMCA, and universities across Arizona.
From corporate giants like Red Bull and Disney to local non-profits like Crystal Meth Anonymous and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Akshen's client list is a testament to his versatility and dedication to using music as a force for good. He's opened and shared the stage for Hip Hop Legends like Ghostface Killa of Wu-Tang Clan, Lil Eazy E and Yella of N.W.A, Young MC and the Pharcyde as well as the Phoenix Symphony, the Mayor of Tempe, and the Desert Botanical Gardens, proving that his music can elevate any experience.
DJ Akshen is more than just a DJ; he's a community leader, an educator, and an ambassador for the art of Hip Hop. Wherever he goes, he brings not just beats, but a passion for positivity that keeps the crowd moving and the culture thriving.

Accolades
Phoenix New Times “Best Turntablist”
Red Bull Thre3Style World DJ Championship USA National Finalist (Top 5)
Red Bull Thre3Style World DJ Championship Phoenix Regional Champion
3 Time (’99, ’00, ’01) Arizona, Phoenix Guitar Center DJ Spin-off Champion

Education
Next Level, The Institute for the Arts and Humanities at UNC-Chapel Hill, NC
~DJ and Artist Educator for Next Level Team Romania
Cyphers The Center for Urban Arts, Phoenix AZ
~Program Director & Instructor for DJ Classes
Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale AZ
~Advisor for SCC now MCC DJ & Turntablism Classes
Academy of Radio and TV Broadcasting, Phoenix AZ

Interesting Facts
Akshen was awarded "Best Place to learn How to DJ" in 2013 by The Phoenix
New Times for his "Turntableology 101" class & workshops that he created and taught for Cyphers the Center for Urban Arts
Akshen is also the Father of DJ Yeah now known as Camgoinham (considered by DMC & Thud Rumble at the time as the world’s youngest scratch DJ)

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