Hotboxx has long been making waves in the electronic music scene, both through his own productions and dynamic DJ performances. Now, alongside fellow producer and DJ ARHT, he has turned his focus toward nurturing the next generation of talent through The Underground Institute — a production and DJ academy aimed at helping aspiring artists develop their sound and build their careers. We sat down with Hotboxx to learn more about the inspiration behind the project, how his experiences from Miami to Nashville have shaped his teaching style, and what students can expect when they join.  

Hi Hotboxx, how are you?  

I am doing well thank you for asking!  

Can you tell us more about the vision and mission behind The Underground Institute?   

So really the intention started as just a way to spread the scene in Nashville and educate people on the different skills they need to be good and become a staple in the industry.  We would love to expand out of Nashville but with such an emerging scene here right now, we really want to help grow the current pool of amazing talent and the younger DJs to help curate a proper scene and proper vibe for years to come!  

What inspired you and ARHT to start The Underground Institute? Was there a specific gap in music education that you wanted to fill?  

There definitely is a specific gap for folks who are more into underground electronic music here in Nashville, and that really sparked things to get us going, as both ARHT and I are very heavily involved in that community here and in other places. We wanted to bring that expertise to Nashville and help develop the next generation of music students and aspiring DJs and producers, giving them a space to really focus on their sound and build their skills — especially since there wasn’t anything around that specifically focused on House music, let alone the underground.  

How does your experience growing up in Miami’s electronic music scene influence the way you teach and mentor students?  

I mean, it’s definitely been a tremendous help coming from a booming scene like Miami. It gave me a ton of insight into teaching the business side of things when I came up to Nashville, as I’ve been throwing parties in Miami for a long time — so it really helped me show students how to get bookings, stand out, and build relationships with venues and promoters. I also think the sound I brought here, both through my sets and original music, helped curate a vibe that wasn’t really happening before. It exposed people to music they weren’t listening to, which really resonated with certain folks and made them want to join the academy. Growing up in Miami not only influences each one of my lessons and the way I mentor students but quite frankly, it’s shaped my entire sound and vibe as a DJ and producer.  

What are some of the key skills and concepts you focus on at The Underground Institute?  

So, we really try and tailor our lessons to the person, we usually start by giving a questionnaire to find out what their needs are, what they want help with, their experience level, what kind of music they like, etc.  Once they do that, we begin to customize lessons for that person; different styles of music require different production techniques and even different mixing techniques when they are spinning so this is why we do this.  

Really, our mission with The Underground Institute is to empower the next generation of DJs and music producers by providing high-quality education, hands-on training, and access to cutting-edge tools.  

What has been the most rewarding part of running The Underground Institute so far?  

Seeing our students start to release their music and get support from big artists and seeing our students start to play the shows they dreamt about playing when they first started. The happiness and joy they get from accomplishing their goals much faster than they thought possible is the most rewarding part to me.  

How do you balance technical training with fostering creativity and helping students develop their own unique sound?  

We aim to foster creativity, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of music production to help students develop their unique sound and succeed in the dynamic world of electronic music. Through a supportive community and expert mentorship, we strive to nurture talent, encourage innovation, and prepare our students to thrive both as artists and professionals.  

Because this is our focus, it really allows students to think about the kinds of bookings they want and the communities they want to be part of when they’re playing shows — and that process really helps them shape their unique sound. Some might come in loving Big Room, but after being exposed to Minimal, they realise that’s where their passion truly lies. In the beginning, it takes a bit of digging to identify that, but once we do, it becomes much easier for them to grow as producers and DJs, while also building their brand and a distinctive sonic identity.  

What would you say makes The Underground Institute different from other DJ and production academies?  

The customised lessons. Most other academies offer great information on the basics and even some advanced topics, but it tends to be more general guidance designed to help a broad audience. While that’s definitely useful, it’s not tailored to fit each student’s specific needs, skill level, or sound. So, although those academies do a great job, The Underground Institute really prides itself on standing apart by giving our students the exact tools and resources they need — rather than just providing general industry, production, or DJing tips.  

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in electronic music production or DJing?  

Whether it’s an academy or on your own people forget to network. You can make the best music in the world and be the most technically proficient DJ but if you don’t build relationships, you won’t get booked.  So, make sure as much time as you put in the studio or behind the decks mastering your craft, spend that same amount of time going out, getting involved with your scene and building relationships with the promoters/clubs doing the best bookings. Your Network is Your Networth.   

How has launching The Underground Institute impacted your own journey?  

It has really helped me push my own skills and made me a much better producer and DJ by constantly reaffirming techniques and knowledge through teaching. We also work with many different genres, which has pushed me tremendously as a producer — taking on projects that aren’t necessarily my usual style has trained my ear to be much more in tune with all areas of electronic music and helped me apply those influences to my own productions. Beyond that, it’s helped us contribute to developing the local scene with well-rounded, skilled DJs, which is something Nashville really needs as its scene continues to grow. I’m grateful to be able to contribute to that growth through the institute.  

Looking ahead, what are your future goals for The Underground Institute?   

Expand from just a local, regional market to online classes and things like that to really be able to help DJs and producers all over the globe.  

As Hotboxx continues to push his own artistry forward, his work with The Underground Institute stands as proof of his commitment to supporting the growth of the electronic music community. By offering tailored guidance, fostering creativity, and helping students forge meaningful industry connections, he continues to contribute to shaping the future of the scene both locally and beyond. With plans to expand and reach aspiring artists worldwide, there is no doubt that The Underground Institute will continue to grow — and Hotboxx will remain at the heart of that journey.  

Be sure to keep up with both Hotboxx and The Underground Institute via social media.

Follow Hotboxx:

Spotify – Instagram – Beatport    

Follow The Underground Institute:   

Instagram