Josh Panlilio, known as 917Josh on Instagram, has grown from a child with a passion for music to a rising star in the DJ world. His musical journey began at a young age, when he begged his mother for a DJ app. His parents, recognizing his talent, encouraged his pursuit of music.
“I discovered DJing on YouTube, and my mom pretty much let me download this DJ app when I was little,” Panlilio recalled.
He nurtured his talent using the app and soon gained recognition as a skilled DJ. As his passion for music grew, so did his parents’ support. They built him his first set of equipment, marking a pivotal moment in his career.
With his new setup, Panlilio took to Instagram, creating the 917Josh account and posting dozens of videos. These videos quickly gained popularity, with some receiving more than a million likes, leading to a surge in followers.
The biggest challenge on his path, Panlilio said, was simply getting his name out there. “It felt really good because I was trying for a long time to get myself out there and expose myself to the public,” he said.
While it wasn’t always easy, Panlilio’s ambition has been unwavering. His sights are set on performing at major music festivals like Coachella and Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC). He likens his journey to the engineering of a rocket—difficult to launch but with the potential to soar to great heights.
“I want to land bigger and better gigs,” he said, acknowledging that growing his following is crucial to reaching those goals.
Despite his rising success, Panlilio remains grounded, continuing to perform at events close to home. He’s played at Maize High School’s prom and homecoming, staying true to his roots even as his global reach expands.
His talent has taken him far beyond Wichita, from local events to performing at a wedding in Spain. It was during that overseas gig that Panlilio realized he had truly made it in his career.
“While I was there, I was just like, ‘I really made it,'” Panlilio said.
As he continues to climb the ranks of the DJ world, Panlilio knows he will face stiff competition. At festivals like EDC, which features up to 250 DJs, standing out requires exceptional skill. But with his dedication and talent, 917Josh is well on his way to proving he has what it takes to rise above the crowd.
From an aspiring artist to an internationally recognized DJ, Panlilio’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and passion.
