Rising Star Angel “AROCK” Castillo: Just keep moving forward

…The main thing I think would be just to keep moving forward no matter what kind of push-back you get or how many persons tell you your thoughts are crazy. When I first created BPM Supreme, the technology was brand new and a lot of people just didn’t recognize what I was trying to produce. It took about two years to totally grow the digital download platform, and then even longer to begin marketing and creating the brand you see today. There were instants when I wasn’t certain if what I was doing would work but something told me to just keep going. Now it’s been about 20 years in the industry and I can’t imagine my life any other way.

As part of my series featuring the rising stars in the music production, I had the pleasure of questioning Angel “AROCK” Castillo. Angel is the founder and CEO of BPM Supreme and BPM Latino digital music services, BPM Media Group design agency, and BPM Supply online boutique. With a deep-rooted love for music, a individual eye for design, and a passion for business, AROCK’s work spans a wide range of industries containing music, technology, marketing, sales, and creative. Born and raised in San Diego, CA, AROCK began learning to DJ at the age of 12 and quickly found himself wrapped up in the culture and lifestyle. Over the years, he has concentrated his admiration for the art form into various businesses and successfully built the subscription-based music service dedicated to the DJ community, BPM Supreme. As an innovator, creator, and entrepreneur, AROCK very much considers himself to be a student of life with no intention to stop evolving as a businessman, a creative, and an artist. In fact, AROCK has in recent times worked behind the scenes in the studio as an aspiring but ambitious music producer, all while continuing to encourage his existing businesses, which are currently growing, outward from San Diego and into the Los Angeles area. AROCK’s ultimate goal is always to keep moving forward and never look back, knowing that tomorrow’s opportunities are endless.

Thank you so much for joining us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

My career in the DJ space take place quite naturally actually. When I was about 12 years old, I started to learn how to DJ myself. I remember going to a school dance when I was young and found myself captivated by the way a DJ was able to move the gathering. I pretty much decided in that moment that I wanted to be in this industry.

Can you share the most exciting story that occurred to you in the course of your music career?

Overall I think it’s very exciting to talk about how far BPM Supreme has come. Watching it evolve from a start-up company with only two employees to now having close to 40 employees, and a second location in Los Angeles initial soon, is something I’m very proud of. It feels like yesterday that we were deliberating the need in the industry for a digital library made just for DJs, and now we’re working the largest library of DJ-ready music out there.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

Back in January, we launched our mobile app which acts as a detection tool for DJs allowing them to add music to their jalopy on the go and download later. It has changed the way a lot of our memberships use the service. From there, I can tell you that BPM Supreme plans to be on path with developing technologies, such as flowing. We have a few projects in the works right now that are not only going to make music and DJ tools more manageable but eventually continue helping to make a musician’s life easier.

Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?

Too many fascinating people to name, but through the course of my career, I’d have to say that DJ Skee (founder of DASH Radio) has been one of my strongest networks, almost like a mentor at times. His business savvy and his whole marketing savvy are things I admire. I’m a big fan of design and branding, so creating a cohesive brand similar to how Skee has done is top of mind for me. I think those characteristics shine through in BPM Supreme.

Which people in history inspire you the most? Why?

I’m not sure there’s someone traditionally that I’d pinpoint, but I certainly feel there are brands and companies that have stimulated me throughout the years. Besides the big brands of today like Apple and Amazon, I also find a lot of motivation in brands that have erected the test of time like Lamborghini, Rolex, and Nike.

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?

I’d have to say we do this within the music industry because of our love for the art form of DJing. BPM Supreme has done a lot for the DJ culture over the past few years, including hosting free events and workshops that are meant to help advance a DJ’s career. In general, we’re constantly modernizing and refining our products to make a DJ’s job easier.

You are a person of great effect. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

Music definitely brings happiness and controls emotions in such a powerful way. It would be incredible to create more experiences in the future where music brings people together.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your production to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

I always recommend retentive balance in whatever way is imaginable for you. For me, that means waking up early, getting in a run to get my brain and body eager, and making time for my wife and family no matter what.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

Producer, Jimmy Iovine, and Daniel Ek, co-founder/CEO of Spotify. These are two persons I believe share the same idea as I do and who want to make the music space better. It would be wonderful to talk with or even collaborate with them someday.