Today we’d like to introduce you to Cousin Christopher.
Cousin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Music has always been a part of my life. I grew up in the Twin Cities, but also spent time in New Mexico, D.C. and Miami. Growing up in a Haitian American household, I was always around different styles of music and cultures.
What started as a high school kid fascinated with radio turned into a side hustle that helped pay for college, and eventually grew into a profession. My degree is in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management, and the bulk of my professional career has been in hospitality. Whether in healthcare or luxury resorts, my job has always been about serving people and creating memorable experiences. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that would eventually shape my DJ style too.
DJing also became a lifesaver- financially and emotionally. I stepped away from corporate to become a full-time hospice caregiver for both of my parents as they faced terminal illnesses. During that time, music was my respite. It gave me an outlet while also helping me support my family.
Eventually, the opportunities became bigger and more interesting. I’ve DJed everything from fashion shows, weddings and corporate events to galas, foundation donor events, the Minnesota State Fair and events with the Minnesota Vikings. But my approach is always the same: look at the room, see who’s there and curate an experience that feels intentional and made specifically for them.
That’s eventually what became Cousin Christopher. I’m not just some DJ in the corner playing music. I’m that fun cousin you look forward to seeing at the family reunion. You know when that cousin shows up, you’re guaranteed to have a good time!
My DJ résumé is pretty solid, but I also feel like I’m just getting started. I’m at a point now where I’m taking years of passion and experience and intentionally building a business around it, from the brand and website to the Cousin Christopher experience as a whole.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I’ve established myself in one city, packed up and moved, and had to start all over again more than once. When I moved back to Minnesota, I had to reestablish myself even here.
At one point, I was a popular young DJ running with the OGs. I left for school then work. By the time I came back, a lot of those OGs were retiring or doing different things, and the younger DJs had taken over the city. I wasn’t here with them. They didn’t know me. In my own city, I was the new kid on the block. Eventually, I stopped trying to break back into certain circles and forged my own path.
Then life changed again. I stepped away from my career to help take care of my parents, and music became the thing I leaned on to provide for my family.
I remember having a wedding the weekend after my dad died. That was the hardest gigs I’ve ever done. Watching fathers celebrate their children, knowing my siblings and I would never have those moments with our dad, crushed me. I had to step out the dj booth a few times because I was bawling.
The happiest moment of their was going on as I went through one of the worst moments of mine. Talk about a “mashup”! I eventually got it together. They had the experience they deserved.
But damn, it was rough!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
like to say I curate auditory adventures, and I specialize in multicultural events. What really sets me apart is my range. I truly love diverse, eclectic music. I can dibble-dabble in a lot of different bags: African, Latin, Caribbean, rock, pop, hip-hop, R&B, funk, soul, disco and beyond.
I don’t really play genres. I play good music. If it’s Groovy, vibey, jazzy, funky, head-bobbin’, toe-tappin’, hip-shakin’, drink-sippin’ music- is gets a spin.
A lot of that comes from my own experiences, having lived in different states, DJed in multiple countries, worked in resorts and hospitals, and been a caregiver. I bring all of that service, culture and attention to the needs of others and mix it together musically.
I also like texture in my sets. You’re gonna get some fast, some slow, some sing-alongs, some turn-up and some new and some nostalgia. I’m paying attention to the room and changing it over throughout the night. People might be dancing, connecting and socializing, sitting back having a drink or eating, and then I’m bringing them right back to the dance floor.
That’s what I mean by an auditory adventure. I’m feeling the room and taking people on a musical journey. I love rooms where people love music and I can reach into all these different bags and give them an experience they weren’t expecting.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the next five to ten years, I think DJs are going to have to be more than just people who play music. Technology is going to keep getting better and better. You have AI that can mix, blend and mash songs, but it can’t read the room yet. It can’t create community.
The way people consume music is continuing to change, and venues are continuing to evolve. The bottle-service and traditional club scene is fading, and people are looking for more unique experiences where they can connect with people through music.
So I think we’ll continue to see DJs and venues finding more creative ways to bring people together and create experiences that feel genuine. Technology can do a lot, but that IRL connection is still what makes the experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cousinchristopher.com
- Instagram: @itscousinchristopher
