DJ Eric Abobo

Serving sonic sexiness to our city via bars, clubs and circuit parties for over a decade, DJ Eric Abobo has officially slayed the game.

Q: Eric, hello! Thanks for chatting! So, can you describe your DJ sound today, as far as what you’d typically play when it’s up to you?

A: I consider myself an open format DJ–since I work mostly at bars, I play for the crowd. Thirteen years ago I started as a circuit party DJ, and now I am ready to play the most popular genres like pop, hip-hop, Latin and house.

Q: Where are you from originally and what was the music you grew up with?

I’m from Bahia, Brazil. Since really young, I always liked American pop music. I thought it was so cool to sing and speak in another language, and pop music made me learn English, so I could sing the songs. To this day, I still print lyrics to songs I like–especially rap.

Q: Have you had an all-time favorite DJ moment or gig?

DJing at the skate rink in Rockefeller Center was everything. It felt like I made it.

Q: You’ve been in the DJ biz for over a decade now, as you said. What are some big things that have changed in the industry over the years since you started?

Social media and technology changed everything. The fact that you can find out a song that’s playing with apps like Shazam so quick is wild. Also, I feel like people in NYC specifically don’t go out as much as when I started my career: hookup apps ruined businesses, for sure. But I still find NYC nightlife exciting and fun.

Q: Folks not going out is definitely an unfortunate trend! Also, does it annoy you when patrons want you to be their Spotify and play all their requests?

It really depends. I don’t mind at all if the bar is not busy. But if the party is popping, it can be annoying. Sometimes if I play a request, that same person will keep coming back for more. At Boxers Chelsea, I’m also a VJ, and I keep a QR code on the screen for requests.

Q: You DJ every Friday at Boxers NYC from 6pm to 10pm!

It’s a really fun happy hour; people can request their favorite music videos and songs. It’s usually very busy. Right now, we do Drag Race viewing at 8pm. Next month, I’ll be DJing there on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Q: You’ve also been a part of the Ritz bar family for awhile, and you’re the Saturday night resident. That venue is going through a bit of a transition period as the new building owner prepares a major overhaul for the venue.

I’ve been DJing at Ritz for the last six years; I just got the word last week about the renovations. I’m very excited. My party on Saturdays is so much fun. Great things are coming!

Q: What else do you want to add?

I’m available for bookings for private events as well. People can contact me through my Instagram. I just want people to go out more and support the bars and the community.

Q: Absolutely! Okay, to close: What might your best advice be for someone who wants to make it big as a DJ in New York?

DJing started as a fun hobby to me. I went to college in Brazil and graduated in Biomedicine. When I moved to NYC, I wanted to figure out what else I could do that was fun and not too serious, so I took DJ classes at Dubspot. When I graduated, I started hanging out at bars where my friends worked and told them that I was a DJ and acted like I really knew what I was doing. Faked it until I made it.

So my advice would be: Go out to the places you’d like to DJ at and make friends. If you’re lucky like me, they will give you an opportunity to kill it!

Also, be prepared and do your research. I still go out to see what people are enjoying and what DJs are playing, so I can add to my playlist.

Instagram: @eric_abobo