Star Magic's Jimmy Nocon talks about his journey as a DJ

From acting, Jimmy Nocon found his greatest love as a DJ 

MANILA -- As a child, Jimmy Nocon dreamed of being a drummer. During family gatherings, his parents would encourage him to go on stage to perform.

“Bata pa lang, bibo na po ako. Dahil medyo mahiyain ang mga kapatid ko, I was the star,” he recalled. 

At the age of 10, Nocon first appeared in a television commercial. He joined theater groups to hone his acting skills and build his confidence.

After years of portraying roles as an actor and after years of trying to find his authentic self, Nocon found his greatest love — music.

The 6-foot-1 Star Magic artist is currently working as a celebrity DJ, which he considers a career that feeds his soul. 

In fact, he’s one of the most in demand celebrity DJs in the country, playing and mixing music for music festivals, celebrity events, corporate events, private parties, and concerts. 

“I remember when my family and I went to World Trade Center for an event. My mother saw a DJ booth in front and asked me to pose there so she can take a picture of me. Ako naman na music lover, puwesto agad ako kahit na wala naman akong alam sa pagiging DJ. Once on the stage, I was a little surprised by the attention I received at that moment. Stares were thrown into my direction and people started to gather around me. My family told me, ‘Uy, bagay sayo.’ Sabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘Oo nga, parang maganda ‘tong i-pursue. Bakit hindi?’ Eventually, my parents bought me my first ever DJ equipment as a gift and soon I was already making and editing music on my own,” he recalled during his interview with ABS-CBN News. 

“I wanted something more. I said to myself, I need something where I could surely excel at, with only few competitors in the field. That's when I became serious about pursuing a career as a DJ. It all started with small gigs at different clubs,” he further said. 

“My big break came when Callum David (Australian DJ) discovered me. He offered to be my mentor and introduced me to the world of corporate events as a DJ. I am incredibly grateful for his guidance.”

This 28-year old music man also got the chance to work with Sarah Geronimo for her 20th anniversary concert, and will soon perform as a DJ on June 15 and 16 for the Malaya Music Festival.

He told ABS-CBN News, “Nakakatuwang isipin na ‘yong mga napapanood ko lang dati, like Kamikazee, Parokya ni Edgar, Ben&Ben, ngayon ay nakakatrabaho ko na sila. Isa ‘to sa mga magagandang nangyari nung nag-DJ ako.“

Melody, memorable experiences

For the celebrity DJ, music creates memorable experiences through every beat and melody.

“As a DJ, music allows me to share my talent with others. It provides a platform to connect with people, evoke emotions, and create memorable experiences through every beat and melody. Actually, ang pinaka-fulfillment na nakukuha ko ay ‘yong reaction ng crowd kapag nakikita kong natutuwa sila, kapag napapasaya ko sila,” he said.

In the one-on-one interview, Nocon also shared his style and approach as a DJ, using electric drums and percussions. 

“I love surprising people with unexpected music, smooth transitions, and imaginative mixes. I strive to offer a fresh experience, where listeners encounter something new and exciting with each set, ensuring that each performance feels like a new adventure for them. Recently, I've been focusing on delivering a concert-like experience, adding electrifying intros to set the tone right from the start. To further elevate the experience, I often collaborate with a saxophone player and sometimes drum-beaters, in addition to my electric drums. Incorporating live instruments adds an extra layer of excitement and dynamism to the set,“ he said.

He added, “Kapag nag-perform ako and my hypeman and saxophone player, pure entertainment talaga, hindi ‘yong usual lang na DJ na nakatayo. Parang ‘pag kami ang nag-perform, concert feels talaga ‘yong datingan, showmanship talaga.”

Future plans

The Star Magic artist also revealed his dream collaborations.

“In the future, I want to work with Sir Gary Valeciano because we all know about his dynamic stage presence and energetic performances. Actually, I already worked with him during 'ASAP' but I would like to share the stage with him again but this time hopefully in a concert," he said.

“Also, of course, I also want to perform alongside BINI, the rising Filipino idol group in the P-pop industry. I love playing their songs during my sets because their music brings such high energy and positivity to the crowd.”

Nocon continues to prove that there is money in music. You just have to find the right sound. 

“It's incredibly humbling to hear some people in the industry refer to me as a game-changer, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to inspire others positively,” he ended.