‘I just want to make people happy’: DJ on a mission to spread joy through Brixton
A DJ who has garnered a hefty social media following for joyful interactions with the public during his street sets, is on a mission to spread positivity through Brixton.
Ashley Gordon, 39, popularly known as “DJ AG Online” on TikTok where he is followed by more than 318,000 fans, can be spotted outside Brixton Tube station, armed with his decks, a generator and a camera.
The 39-year-old said: “Brixton is an amazing place.
“But I see how sad and upset people can be, whether it’s issues with money or mental health. I get out on the street with them to spread a bit of joy through music.
“I just want to make people happy.”
Mr Gordon, from Tottenham, left his £60,000-a-year sales manager role to pursue his passion as a street DJ 13 years ago.
Every day he sets off across the streets of London to perform a set which he live-streams on his TikTok channel.
Despite having been in the profession for more than a decade, Mr Gordon stepped foot in Brixton for the first time in February this year.
He said: “I’d grown up visiting South London because I have family there but I had never been to Brixton.
“When I first got there I was like … wow … there were so many different cultures. I’ve been told a lot has changed over the years but it’s an amazing place.
“Now I’m there every couple of weeks and I spend six or seven hours there on the pavement.”
Mr Gordon’s sets are open format, switching between genres and open to requests from those passing by on the busy street.
He said: “I switch between R&B to 80s or cheesy music like the macarena – if it makes people happy I play it.
“I just see what’s going on on the street. My most popular request in Brixton is Dancehall.”
The DJ and Tik Tok sensation sees his street performances as an opportunity to give a voice to the community and spark curiosity, especially among children.
He said: “I really enjoy myself and the interactions with people on the streets.
“Kids come up to me because they’re very curious about the equipment and why I’m there or they know me from Tik Tok.”
But Mr Gordon’s passion for spreading positivity doesn’t stop at music.
He said: “I used to be a sales manager – and that was all about keeping hundreds of customers happy.
“Growing up it was always a staple in my family and I guess that’s just given me a knack for it.
“It’s something I am always thinking about.”
Mr Gordon’s Tik Tok can be found here: https://www.tiktok.com/@djagonline
Pictured top: Ashley Gordon during a street set in Brixton with a young fan (Picture: toutoungi@gmail)