Hispanic Heritage Month: DJ Santarosa

As part of our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, CALI 93.9 is shining a light on the talented team members who keep our station connected to la cultura every day. Meet Jimmy “DJ Santarosa”, Music Director and DJ at CALI 93.9 FM in Los Angeles. From curating the station’s signature sound behind the scenes to hyping up listeners, DJ Santarosa brings passion, rhythm, and pride in his roots to everything he does.

Q&A

1. What’s your name, title, and what do you do at CALI 93.9?
I am Jimmy “DJ Santarosa,” Music Director and on-air DJ at KLLI CALI 93.9 FM in Los Angeles, CA. As MD, I do a lot of looking and listening to music that can potentially fit the vibe and sound of the station. I’m currently part of the morning show with quick, high-energy mix sets and also part of the 5PM Trafical Mix Monday through Saturday.

2. How did you get into the entertainment industry?
At the age of 15, I started helping my dad and uncle with their mobile DJ business. That’s where I was introduced to music and learned how to mix. Eventually, after high school, I started DJing at a club where a radio station was doing promo for the night. I met the DJ in charge, gave him a demo mix, and later got called to be part of the radio station’s mix team.

3. What part of your heritage or background influences your work the most?
Growing up with parents from Aguascalientes and Guanajuato, Mexico, who listened to Spanish music got me familiar with a lot of the genres that I now work with.

4. What does representation mean to you — both personally and professionally?
Representation is making sure we search and find the best songs that fit our format, in all aspects — whether it’s cumbia, regional Mexican, reggaeton, bachata, or other genres that blend in with our sound.

5. Can you share a moment where you saw Latino culture celebrated in a meaningful way in your work?
When Latino music got seen by mainstream audiences and became a global phenomenon, it really felt like the culture was being celebrated and getting the recognition it deserved.

6. What advice would you give to other Latinos trying to break into this field?
Be consistent, stay relevant, and keep pushing — putting in the work. Talent speaks for itself, and once you get in front of someone who sees your value and worth, things change.

7. 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?
It’s a mixture of what is popular, what resonates with our demographic, definitely the vibe of the sound we want — and of course, a lot of music research.

DJ Santarosa’s journey from a teenage DJ helping his family to shaping the sound of CALI 93.9 proves that passion and heritage go hand in hand. Whether he’s behind the scenes curating hits or live on-air mixing your favorite tracks, his dedication to representing Latino culture shines through. Through every beat and transition, Santarosa keeps the rhythm of la cultura alive — one mix at a time.

Connect with DJ Santarosa

IG: djsantarosa

X: djsantarosa 

FB: djsantarosa