Meet Stepan Rudenko | DJ

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stepan Rudenko and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stepan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my journey purely for fun — back in 2008, we were throwing parties for our local crowd. We loved hip-hop and R&B music. At one of those parties, there was a really talented DJ playing, and I couldn’t take my eyes off what he was doing behind the turntables during his whole set. That’s when I said to myself, ‘I want to do that too!’

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My whole approach is built on deep respect for music. I treat it with love, and the more I give to it, the more it gives back. The more I invest in music and my project, the more I get in return.

I remember a time when I went two months without a single gig. I was just starting out and, honestly, below average by local standards. But I had turntables and a mixer at home, and I spent all my time on them — always thinking, ‘If I ever get a shot, I’m gonna show the best I’ve got.’

That shot came — there was a local DJ contest, and I won it. Then another one. A year later, I was the most booked and highest-paid DJ in the local scene.

There’s no secret. Inspiration and creativity only show up when you’re putting in the work. That’s the only way. Practice is what makes you better

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
No doubt, in the evening it’s all about Dante Hi-Fi — the music, the vibe, it’s exactly what I love when I want to relax. Since I’m a big coffee fan, mornings are for Davinci or Libertino.

Coming from Europe, I’ve developed a real love for natural wines — so that means a stop at Derriere Natural Wine Bar is a must. And if we’re talking cocktails later in the evening, yeah, we’re heading back to Davinci for that too.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First off, big love to my family — even though they never really got what I do, and creative stuff ain’t really their world. Respect to every DJ I’ve ever rocked a stage with — the way we share energy and vibes without even speaking sometimes, that’s real. Major shoutout to all my people from Dnipro — I wouldn’t be me without y’all. And of course, gotta mention the heavyweights in the game — the ones who inspire you, push you to level up, and who you dream of going toe-to-toe with or collabing someday.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deejay_stevie