What’s your name, title, and what do you do at Cali 93.9?
DJ Vinnie Mack: Hello! My name is Vince Ibarra, aka DJ Vinnie Mack. I’m currently the midday DJ at Cali 93.9. I DJ Monday – Saturday from 12PM – 1PM, and I also DJ Fridays & Saturdays from 9PM – Midnight.
How did you get into the entertainment industry?
DJ Vinnie Mack: I feel like I got into the entertainment industry by chance. I’ve always wanted to do something with music, but wasn’t sure what. Meeting the right people along the way and getting influenced by my surroundings is how I landed here.
What part of your heritage or background influences your work the most?
DJ Vinnie Mack: My heritage overall plays such a massive part in everything I do. I mean, after all, I do DJ for a Latin station now. Growing up around quinceañeras, family parties where they’d hire grupos/banda, or simply hearing my mom play mariachi music while she would clean played such a huge part in my upbringing.
What does representation mean to you—both personally and professionally?
DJ Vinnie Mack: Representation means being able to see someone like you “sitting at the table.” Seeing someone with similar struggles overcome them and show that you can be successful no matter what comes your way. I feel like that works for both, professionally and personally.
Can you share a moment where you saw Latino culture celebrated in a meaningful way in your work?
DJ Vinnie Mack: The beauty of where we work (Cali 93.9) is that I feel like our culture is celebrated DAILY. I get to play music every day where I can switch up between different genres like Cumbia, Reggaetón, Merengue, Bachata, etc. Having to stay on top of trends or current events, I feel it’s our daily routine to find things to celebrate that make our culture so unique.
What advice would you give to other Latinos trying to break into this field?
DJ Vinnie Mack: Just be yourself & don’t quit when things feel impossible to overcome. There are so many Latinos everywhere and you’d be surprised how relatable you can be by being honest with everything you do. Being Latino is a beautiful thing, why not celebrate that part of yourself when you can?
When you’re curating the music for our station, what factors guide your decisions? Is it based more on trends, artist growth, audience requests, or the overall vibe you want to create?
DJ Vinnie Mack: It’s a mix of all of the above. I like to pay attention to what’s trending on a weekly basis to see what’s keeping the culture moving. Our audience is fairly vocal on what they like to hear and I always look to find ways to make our sound feel fresh. At bare minimum, though, I like to pick the songs based on the “feeling” I get when we hear it. If it makes me feel good, I’ll play it.
How do you make sure the music we play truly represents and celebrates the diversity of the Latino community — from música mexicana and reggaetón to bachata, salsa, and beyond?
DJ Vinnie Mack: At the core of our playlist, we always keep the “classics” in rotation so anyone listening can connect with the music. Then we sprinkle in the newer Latin sounds to vibe with the younger generation. For me, it’s not just about the genres—it’s about making sure every generation feels represented and celebrated with every song we play. Our fiesta is for everyone.
DJ Vinnie Mack’s journey is a reminder of how music and culture go hand in hand. From family parties to spinning live on Cali 93.9, his story reflects the heart of our community—where heritage, passion, and representation create the soundtrack of our lives. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor voices like his that keep our culture alive and thriving every day.
Connect with DJ Vinnie Mack
Instagram: djvinniemack
Twitter: djvinniemack
Facebook: vince.ibarra
YouTube: djvinniemack
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