DJ Hayken: From Faridabad to Dubai, UAE’s Influential Bollywood DJ

BySakshi

PublishedApril 6, 2025

Humble Beginnings in Faridabad

Born into a middle-class family in Faridabad, near Delhi, DJ Hayken’s journey into the world of music was anything but easy. From a young age, he was captivated by beats and melodies, spending weekends tuning into FM radio shows featuring DJs and collecting CDs of his favorite tracks.

However, becoming a DJ was far from a straightforward path. Growing up in a society where stable careers in engineering, medicine, or government jobs were the norm, pursuing music was considered unconventional. Despite this, Hayken remained determined to turn his passion into a career.

The Struggles Behind the Success

To fund his dream, he worked part-time jobs at PVR cinemas and call centers, earning just enough to save for his DJ training. While his peers enjoyed social outings and family gatherings, Hayken was busy hustling. He traveled 80 kilometers daily to attend DJ classes, often sacrificing sleep and comfort to refine his craft.

His health took a toll—constant traveling, sleepless nights, and exposure to high-decibel music led to migraines, dark circles, and back pain. But his passion never wavered. What kept him going was his belief in his dreams and the support of his family.

A Family’s Sacrifice: Selling Their Only Car

One defining moment in Hayken’s journey was when he found a DJ mentor through Orkut, a social media platform that preceded Facebook’s dominance. When he inquired about the cost of training, he was quoted INR 75,000—an impossible amount for someone earning only INR 10,000 per month.

Seeing his unwavering passion, his parents made an extraordinary sacrifice—they sold their only car to help him enroll in the DJ course. That single act of support changed everything, giving Hayken the opportunity to master his craft and pursue his dreams without financial constraints.

Breaking Into the Industry

After completing his training, Hayken began playing at small gigs and club nights. His talent, energy, and ability to read the crowd quickly caught the attention of club owners. He wasn’t just playing songs—he was creating experiences. His unique mixing style, combined with his deep understanding of Bollywood music, set him apart.

As his reputation grew, he started receiving invitations to perform at high-profile events. What began as small club performances soon turned into opportunities to play at major venues across Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Becoming an Influential Bollywood DJ in UAE

Over time, Hayken built a name for himself as one of the most influential Bollywood DJs in the UAE. His performances became legendary, attracting crowds from diverse backgrounds. Whether it was businessmen, cafeteria workers, laborers, or taxi drivers, his music resonated with everyone.

In addition to live performances, he expanded his reach through social media. His live-streamed DJ sets on Instagram and TikTok went viral, increasing his fan base and making him a recognizable figure beyond the nightclub scene. Today, he enjoys a massive following both online and offline, with fans stopping him on the streets to express their admiration.

Achievements and Milestones

Throughout his career, DJ Hayken has achieved several milestones that define his journey:

Recognized as one of the most influential Bollywood DJs in the UAE and India.
Established his own DJ academy, mentoring aspiring DJs.
Became a viral sensation through live-streamed DJ performances.
Collaborated with top event companies and brands.
Performed at some of the most prestigious clubs and music festivals in the UAE.

Despite these accomplishments, Hayken remains grounded, always attributing his success to hard work, perseverance, and the unwavering support of his family.

Overcoming Challenges in the Industry

The DJing industry is not just about passion; it requires significant financial investment. High-end laptops, professional headphones, flash drives, hard disks, and other equipment are essential but expensive. At the beginning of his career, affording these essentials was a major challenge.

To overcome this, he continued working side jobs while pursuing DJing. Carrying heavy equipment to late-night gigs, enduring sleepless nights, and dealing with the physical strain of the job became routine. But he learned to adapt—focusing on a healthier lifestyle, following a nutritious diet, and seeking medical consultations to maintain his energy levels.

The Vision for the Future

As a DJ and music producer, Hayken is constantly evolving. His current focus is on producing original remixes of trending songs and exploring new music genres. By doing so, he aims to expand his reach globally, securing opportunities to perform in countries beyond the UAE.

One of his biggest aspirations is to enter the Bollywood music industry as a producer. He envisions creating tracks that not only make people dance but also leave a lasting impact on the industry. Additionally, he dreams of performing at world-renowned music festivals like Ultra Music Festival (UMF) and Tomorrowland, taking Bollywood music to an international stage.

Giving Back: The DJ Academy

One of Hayken’s proudest achievements is establishing a DJ academy where he trains and mentors aspiring DJs. Understanding the struggles he faced during his early days, he aims to make learning DJing more accessible for young talent.

His academy doesn’t just teach technical skills—it instills discipline, confidence, and the mindset needed to thrive in the competitive music industry. He believes that by sharing his knowledge, he can help the next generation of DJs succeed without facing the same hardships he did.

Advice to Aspiring DJs and Entrepreneurs

For those looking to break into the DJing industry, Hayken’s advice is simple:

Believe in yourself. Ignore the doubts and discouragement from others.
Stay dedicated. Passion alone is not enough—consistent hard work is key.
Prove yourself with achievements. Let your work speak louder than words.
Don’t be afraid to sacrifice. Success requires time, effort, and perseverance.

DJ Hayken’s journey proves that dreams can become reality with the right mix of passion, dedication, and resilience. His story continues to inspire countless aspiring DJs, proving that with unwavering determination, anything is possible.

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