This episode of A Class of Their Own is one you won’t want to miss. We sit down with Santanna Oush, the DJ and in her own words the most motivational person in the room.
Santanna's story is a rollercoaster of resilience, creativity, and bold self-expression. This episode will have you curious and wondering where we will go next.
Buckle up, because this conversation will take you from the humble beginnings selling potatoes out of a blue van to lighting up stages at 14 – all while navigating the complexities of foster care, sexism in the music industry, and an inner journey to balance darkness and light.
Santanna opens up about her early years growing up in foster care. It wasn’t easy, there were moments of heartbreak, like watching her mother suffer and being unable to help, how she was one of the lucky one to get professional foster parents like Sue and John who provided her with the safety and space to thrive.
We dive deep into how these experiences shaped her, revealing that it wasn’t just a tough upbringing; it was also where she learned resilience, hope, and self-reliance.
And then there’s the music. From a young age, Santanna had a natural ear for sound, turning heads at her first gig in Leamington Spa when she was only 14. But the road to becoming a full-time DJ wasn’t as smooth as the beats she drops today. She sold potatoes, BIC pens, insurance, sky dishes - I think she could probably sell ice to eskimos.
Picture this: Friday night after her day finished at a business magazine the scenes were like The Wolf of Wall Street, fast-paced, chaotic, and sometimes teetering on the edge of control. She was living for the evenings, that was her survival and yet she had to navigate her family’s history of addiction, something she’s always conscious of, even today in an industry known for its temptations DJing.
Today, she unapologetically owns her space in a male-dominated DJ industry. She has founded OUSHE, giving female DJs a platform to DJ in some of the top bars and clubs. She has a regular residency at Pikes in Ibiza, where she elevates upand coming DJs.
But it’s not just DJing for Santanna, this is the first time she’s shares her voice and story. She's actually really shy. Santanna openly shares all of who she is from love, relationships and and her s**ual orientation. She refuses to be put in a box.
What will you gain from listening? Expect a candid, unfiltered conversation that touches on themes of resilience, overcoming adversity, and following your passion. Whether you’re in the music industry or simply looking for inspiration to push past life’s obstacles, Santanna’s story is a refreshing reminder that success comes from embracing every part of your journey, accepting the difficult bits and loving yourself and others around you.
Why should you listen? If you want to hear about the highs and lows of making it in the DJ industry, staying grounded in a world of temptations, and learning how to embrace both your inner darkness and light, then hit play now. Santanna Oush is living proof that you don’t have to fit into anyone’s box to make your mark on the world.
Santanna #YouAreAClassOfYourOwn. Oush.
Guest Santanna Oush
https://www.instagram.com/santannaoush
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