Maize High senior Josh Panlilio, also known as 917Josh online, has been DJing since he was eight after his mom downloaded a DJ app on his iPad for him. At just 17, he has gone viral all over social media, collaborated with famous singers and dancers and been hired for a wide variety of paid gigs, some even being international.
Panlilio is originally from New York. While a move halfway across the country obviously has its struggles, it might have been just what he needed to kickstart his career.
“I moved to Kansas a week before my freshman year in 2021,” Panlilio said. “The biggest struggle was probably meeting new people and making new friends and all of that. I had to start brand new knowing nobody. That’s probably the hardest part. I think I definitely got more exposed out here with my DJing and music. In New York, it’s kind of hard to stand out because there’s just too many people and a lot of other DJs there.”
Panlilio has a clear love for music and sharing it with others. He says one of the first things he does after school is DJing and making social media content. With an impressive 188,000 Instagram followers and 579,000 on TikTok, Panlilio has had some super cool collaboration opportunities.
“I went viral on social media, and people pretty much found me, emailed me for bookings, and I got my first international gig in Spain in April,” Panlilio said. “I’ve been collaborating with Enhypen. I’ve collabed with a lot of dancers on TikTok. I already mentioned Spain, and then prom and homecoming for the school, which was also great.” Jungkook of BTS fame, as well as other artists, have danced to Panlilio’s music on TikTok and commented on his videos.
TikTok is the major social media app for viral moments to happen right now. If your account reaches 10,000 followers, you have a certain amount of consistent views, as well as a few other requirements, then you are eligible for the creator fund where you can get paid as a TikTok creator. Panlilio uses his TikTok profile to promote his music, and he is a part of the creator fund.
“I pretty much try to get all my schoolwork done when I’m in school, and then as soon as I get home, I just go straight to music and straight to making TikToks,” Panlilio said.
For a teenager like Josh, who is traveling, performing gigs and juggling school while trying to keep up their growing social media platforms, a good support system is definitely necessary. Panlilio credits his parents for playing a big role in his musical career.
“I was also raised in a very musical household as my parents would always play all genres of music around me,” Josh said. “My parents have supported me from the beginning.”