Gente de NAHJ: For DJ Cutlos, convention gigs combine a love of journalism and music
Carlos Rico is a freelance multimedia journalist by day and DJ Cutlos Supreme by night. He is the DJ who has brought the fiesta to NAHJ conventions for the past three years.
Rico grew up listening to different genres of music throughout his life including Latin, rock, disco, and hip-hop during the 80’s and 90’s. But it wasn’t until he started listening to radio DJs that he quickly fell in love with the magic of meshing multiple songs together to create one long mix.
“I felt like music spoke to my soul. Every time I did something, music had to be on,” Rico said, “That’s where I got my love for music.”
He turned what initially started as his hobby into a small business, first playing at family parties and club venues. He was moved by how music brings the Latino community together while cleaning the house, partying at a quinceañera, going on a long car ride or watching dramatic telenovelas.
But music isn’t Rico’s only passion. He’s also a freelance journalist who wants to get back in the industry full-time.
For eight years, he was a full-time business reporter in San Diego for the Daily Transcript. He joined the National Association of Hispanic Journalists in 2014 and has served as a local member, treasurer, chapter president and vice president of the San Diego/Tijuana chapter. Rico hopes to one day find a full-time position covering social justice issues.
For Rico, being NAHJ’s DJ is a special experience because he brings joy to journalists he respects.
“I can bring my two loves and passion together,” Rico said: “journalism and music.”
Kimberly Cruz is a senior at California State University, Fullerton, studying journalism. She has worked on the broadcast team as a presenter, producer, and reporter on the university’s Titan Sports broadcast. Reach her at kdianacruz [at] csu [dot] fullerton [dot] edu and on Twitter @kcruznews.