Today we’d like to introduce you to Jakobi Johnson.
Hi Jakobi, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Initially from South Florida, I got my start as a DJ in middle school. After attending my first school dance, I was fascinated by the control and energy the DJ had over the crowd. Not long after, I began taking DJ lessons through the Broward Sheriff’s Office Police Athletic League, a program that introduced at-risk youth to sports and other extracurricular activities—DJing being one of them.
Once I got started at the age of twelve, I became fully immersed in the artistry behind DJing. I spent countless hours developing my skills, and by fourteen, I had launched my own mobile DJ business. With strong support from my family, I secured opportunities to perform at various events, often for older crowds, which helped me grow my musical range early on. By seventeen, I returned to the same program as an instructor, teaching the very craft I had just learned. While many of my peers worked more traditional jobs, I was building a catalog, refining my sound, and performing at county-wide events before heading off to college.
When I began attending North Carolina A&T State University, I had to rethink my approach to DJing. It was my first time experiencing real competition, and I quickly realized that skill alone wasn’t enough—it was about identity. I had to reshape my brand and adapt to a new environment, especially within Black college culture, where understanding regional music and crowd preferences was essential.
To stand out, I expanded beyond just DJing. I began curating and hosting my own events, focusing on niche communities, organizations, and businesses looking to grow their presence through social experiences. During this time, I also worked with the university’s radio station, hosting my own show while continuing to DJ. By my senior year, I had built a strong foundation performing for various clients, businesses, and artists. One of the most defining moments came when I was part of an effort to introduce rap and hip-hop performances to the North Carolina Folk Festival—a space that had traditionally centered folk and related genres. Being part of that shift was an honor and a milestone in my journey.
Since graduating four years ago, DJing has continued to open new doors. After relocating to Nashville and earning my Master’s degree in Audio Engineering, I’ve had the opportunity to work with organizations like Def Jam Recordings and the Nashville Predators, while also staying deeply involved in the city’s social and nightlife scene. I recently served as the resident DJ for Women’s Basketball at Belmont University and currently lead as the Founder and Executive Producer of The Odyssey, a DJ collective and event series. Within just the first quarter of this year, I produced twelve events, continuing to build community through music and culture.
Moving forward, I’m focused on expanding that impact—bringing my creativity, professionalism, and passion to every space I’m a part of, and continuing to shape Nashville’s evolving social scene through intentional, high-quality experiences.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey hasn’t been completely smooth. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is realizing that skill alone isn’t what creates opportunity—identity matters just as much. Early on, I focused heavily on developing my technical ability, but once I entered more competitive environments, especially in college and different cities, I learned that standing out required a clear sense of who I was as a DJ and how I presented myself.
Another challenge has been adapting to different markets and cultures. Every DJ community is different, and success isn’t measured the same everywhere. I’ve had to learn how to read new audiences, understand regional music preferences, and respect the cultural spaces I’m entering. For example, in communities like the LGBTQ+ scene, there’s a strong musical identity tied to those events, and it’s important to approach that with awareness and respect, especially as an open-format DJ.
Overall, those challenges pushed me to grow—not just as a DJ, but as a curator and professional. Learning how to balance a strong personal identity with adaptability is what’s allowed me to continue evolving and finding opportunities in different spaces.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a Nashville-based DJ, curator, and founder of The Odyssey, performing under the name Lost Prxphet. I specialize in open-format DJing, blending hip-hop, R&B, house, and regional sounds in a way that feels seamless and tailored to the crowd. For me, DJing has always been more than just playing music—it’s about creating an experience and controlling the energy of a room from start to finish.
As Lost Prxphet, I’ve become known for my ability to read a crowd and create moments that feel both high-energy and intentional. Whether it’s nightlife, live events, or curated experiences, I focus on making sure people feel something when they’re in the space. That mindset is what led me to expand into curating my own events, where I’m not just the DJ, but also shaping the full experience—from the concept to the audience.
What I’m most proud of is building The Odyssey into a platform that brings people together through music and culture. Being able to produce events, establish a strong identity, and see real community form around what I’ve created is something I take a lot of pride in.
What sets me apart is the balance between identity and adaptability. I have a clear creative vision as Lost Prxphet, but I also understand how to adjust to different environments, audiences, and cultural spaces. That combination allows me to stand out while still delivering exactly what each room needs.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The best way people can support me is by being part of the journey—coming out to events, engaging with the experiences, and connecting with others who share similar interests and energy. As a DJ and event curator, my goal has always been to create spaces where people don’t just attend, but actually feel a sense of community.
Through my work, especially with The Odyssey, I’ve been able to introduce new event concepts that bring together a growing audience of creatives, professionals, and music lovers. Supporting these events isn’t just supporting me—it’s supporting the local DJ scene and the culture we’re building here in Nashville.
For those looking to collaborate, I’m always open to working with venues, brands, creatives, and other DJs who align with the vision. The Odyssey itself is a collective of nearly a dozen DJs—people I not only collaborate with, but genuinely respect as individuals. The foundation of it all is creating opportunities for everyone involved to grow, both collectively and on their own.
At the end of the day, whether it’s attending, collaborating, or simply spreading the word, every form of support contributes to something bigger than just one event—it helps build a stronger, more connected creative community.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: lostprxphet
- Youtube: Lost Prxphet
- Soundcloud: Lost Prxphet
