Meet Orene Askew | DJ & Motivational Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Orene Askew and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Orene, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
Ha7lh Skwayel, My name is Orene Askew, my ancestral name is Tumáliya, and my stage name is DJ O Show. I was born and raised in North Vancouver, BC and my Mother is Indigenous from The Squamish Nation and my Father is Afro-American from Gary, IN. I think being Afro-Indigenous has exposed me to so much more culture than the average person. This impacted my upbringing tremendously. My Mother would always have music playing in the background growing up. Whether it was Chaka Khan, Rick James, Luther Vandross etc. it was always played. She would always play black artists around me, which exposed me to black culture, and she’s not even black. She was a single mother because my Father wasn’t around much. She is one of my biggest influences and I like to think I got my work ethic from her. My indigenous upbringing allowed me to see tradition and culture from a front row seat. The importance of the drum beat has been instilled in me since I was a baby. I remember being so young and falling asleep near a drum beat.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Ever since I could remember, I have been passionate about music. From playing the trombone in the 4th grade to dragging my Mom’s 6 cd player changer to play the music at our 6th grade dances. After barely passing in high school, I went on to University to study business, and after that I went to one of the best Radio Schools in the country. I worked for mobile Dj companies who in my opinion were ripping people off by playing tracks from iTunes. So I thought to myself, I need to cut out the middle man and start my own business. Don’t get me wrong, I got so much experience working with those companies, but I’ve learned if you want something done in life you have to do it yourself. I’ve had my own business now for almost 11 years and I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon. I get bookings all over North America, but I especially enjoy coming back to Vancouver to perform and inspire young people. I’m so grateful I’ve been able to DJ for The Vancouver Canucks, BC Lions, Vancouver Warriors, and Vancouver Whitecaps when I’ve been in town. I’m lucky because my branding is myself. What you see is what you get. I want folks to see how much fun life can be when you get to work and live your passions.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It’s funny you ask this because one of my favourite people is meeting me in Las Vegas next month for her first time to the city. I love Las Vegas and have been many times. I actually DJ’d there once early in my career and definitely want to do it again. I love Taco Bell Cantina, The High Roller, the adrenaline rush from jumping off the stratosphere, zip lining over Fremont street, omni nightclub and renting a car and stopping at Hoover dam on the way to the Grand Canyon. I also love Carnaval Court because they play Old Skool Hip Hop and RnB my absolute favourite.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I couldn’t be where I am today without my Mom, Jennifer and my Sister, Jina. My Mom was a single Mom and raised me and my 3 siblings on her own. My Sister Jina and I are 12 years apart, so she helped raise me too. They are both the hardest working women I know and have high regards in our First Nations Community. They taught me that with hard work, I can have anything I want in life. They were right, because it’s really happening for me :)!

Website: www.djoshow.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/djoshow

Linkedin: @oreneaskew

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/dj_oshoa

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DJOShow

Youtube: @djoshow1290

Other: www.SoundCloud.com/DJOShow

Image Credits
Anika Syskakis (for all photos)