How to Be Outside, Inside Featuring DJWAWA

Since August is hip-hop’s birthday month, we figured it’d be only right to head to the culture’s birth borough to feature an individual who lives and breathes hip-hop every single day. Our subject today is Joshua Valcarcel aka DJWAWA. He’s a proud South Bronx-born Puerto Rican DJ and his jampacked sets are known for blending hip-hop, R&B, throwback bangers, and the foundational sounds that shaped New York City. 

When he’s not spinning records at hot spots like The Terrace in Harlem, you can find him lounging at Tag Up Music Studio, exploring the Hip-Hop Museum, or relaxing at Bronx Draft House. There’s definitely ‘Big BX Energy’ in this one. Check out DJWAWA’s picks below

Okayplayer: Where do you go in NYC when you want to be outside without being outside?

I'd say Tag Up Music Studio, Bronx Native Shop with Amaurys Grullon, and Bronx Draft House.

Tag Up is somewhere I can be creative, talk music, and just be around people I'm comfortable with. Bronx Native gives me that same connection to the Bronx, the culture, and the community.

Bronx Draft House is a big one for me too, and not even because of the drinks. It's really about the community I have there. There are a lot of regulars and locals that I've gotten to know over time, and it honestly feels like family. Those are the kind of places where I can be out, be around people, and feel connected to the city without necessarily  feeling like I'm fully outside outside.

Where do you go when you want to be around people but not with people?

Bronx Brewery backyard is definitely one. They always have different kinds of events going on, like sports events, salsa, old-school hip-hop, karaoke, and all types of different vibes and energies. Depending on the day, you can see a completely different side of New York. I like that I can go there dolo, take in the atmosphere, see what people are listening to, watch the different crowds, and just enjoy the energy without necessarily having to know anybody. I'd also say the Dyckman basketball courts, especially during the tournaments. I can pull up by myself, watch some good streetball, listen to the music, and just take in the whole vibe and the street culture.

And the Hip-Hop Museum in the Bronx. I like being able to look back at the history of hip-hop and see the different things, people, and moments that helped build the culture. There can be plenty of people around, but I can still be in my own world, move at my own pace, and take everything in.

What does your perfect NYC day look like?

A perfect NYC day for me probably starts in the Bronx, heading to Tang and Tasty Deli Grocery near Tag Up Music Studio and grabbing what I think is the best chopped cheese in New York. From there, I'd meet up with some friends at Tag Up, talk music, joke around, and just catch a vibe. After that, I'd probably hit a sneaker store or a hat store and cop something nostalgic, something that feels like me and has that connection to hip-hop and New York culture.

Later on, I'd link up with some friends for drinks and some dope music and just bounce around the city. Maybe The Terrace on 116th in Harlem, then Bronx Draft House, Bronx Brewery, and maybe finish the night at Locksmith Bar in Washington Heights.

Then for the nightcap, I'd stop by one of the food trucks in Dyckman, grab some Dominican food, and finally head home full of life and full of food. That's pretty much a perfect New York City day for me: good food, good music, culture, friends, and just letting the city take me wherever the vibe goes.

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