The key facts
- Oybek Yuldashev was appointed First Deputy Minister of Education and Science on October 20
- He identifies himself not as a professional but as a 'bedroom DJ'
- Public reaction to his passion for electronic music on social media has been predominantly positive
Appointment and surge of interest
On October 20, Oybek Yuldashev was appointed First Deputy Minister of Education and Science, after which a recording of his performance at the 2024 'Stikhiya' electronic music festival spread widely on social media. Most people reacted positively to his passion for DJing. He spoke about this and about the hobby itself Gazeta in an interview with correspondent Mirolim Isadzhonov on October 27, following the opening ceremony of the InnoWeek-2026 international week of innovative ideas. Before his appointment, Yuldashev worked as the Director of the Public Sector, Infrastructure, and ESG Consulting Practice at PwC Uzbekistan.
From trance to a unique sound
Yuldashev's interest in electronic music began in 1997 with the track '9 PM (Till I Come)' by the German DJ André Tanneberger, who performs under the pseudonym ATB, and his 1999 album 'Movin' Melodies' — a cousin brought him a cassette with the music. During his master's studies in England in 2001–2002, he became familiar with house and other genres, and in 2001, Greek friends bought him a six-channel mixer on which he learned to mix tracks. His taste was influenced by DJs Paul Oakenfold, Sasha, John Digweed, Hernan Cattaneo, Dave Seaman, and Nick Warren, compilations from Renaissance and Global Underground, and later by labels such as Bedrock, Sudbeat, Selador, Lost & Found, Anjunadeep, Mango Alley, and Balance. 'For me, it is important not to be limited to one genre, but to find my own sound at the intersection of progressive music, electronics, and deep techno,' he said.
'This is a serious hobby,' not a profession
Yuldashev himself does not consider himself a professional DJ: he searches for and collects music and creates mixes at home — this format is called 'bedroom DJ' in English. His performance at 'Stikhiya' in 2024 became an opportunity for him to try himself, and besides the festival, he plays at various events by invitation from friends. According to him, music is not only a form of relaxation but also a way to focus and recharge, and his DJ experience also helps in his work: in both cases, one needs to organize the process correctly, sense time, and highlight the main points. 'The DJ's task is not just to play popular tracks, but to introduce people to music they have not yet heard,' he noted.
Hobby after appointment
Regarding how much time will remain for DJing, Yuldashev did not give a precise answer: 'We have just started the work. I face many tasks, and I am grateful for the trust placed in me. As for how much I will be able to engage in DJing — we will see depending on work and family circumstances.' In the interview, he also confirmed information circulating on social media about his kinship with the poet Gafur G'ulom: 'I am the son of Gafur G'ulom's younger daughter, that is, his grandson.'
