Tributes have been paid to Birmingham-based DJ and entrepreneur DJ Buxley, the founder of Boxout Fest, following his death at the age of 34 after privately battling cancer for four years.
Born Ehi Oboite in London, Buxley moved to Birmingham after completing a postgraduate degree in business studies at Aston University.
He soon became a prominent figure in Birmingham’s creative scene, using music and entertainment to celebrate Black culture, support emerging artists and create opportunities for young creatives.
His work in the city began with Boxout Sundays, a monthly daytime party launched in Digbeth in 2018. The event combined live music with games and entertainment, offering a distinctive experience for audiences.
A year later, he introduced Boxout Jam Sessions, which took a community-focused approach by removing entry fees and encouraging attendees to donate unwanted clothing to people sleeping rough.
The success of those initiatives eventually led to the creation of Boxout Fest. The first edition was held in Birmingham in 2023, bringing together Afrobeats, Dancehall and other musical genres.
The festival quickly developed an international following, attracting visitors from countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Bermuda, Italy and the United States. By 2025, the event had expanded into a two-day festival that welcomed more than 6,000 people.
Buxley’s close friend, Andre “Dre” Bailey, said the late DJ had a strong belief in Birmingham and its residents. According to Bailey, Buxley was convinced that the city had enough talent to succeed and wanted to create platforms that would enable local creatives to build successful careers without having to relocate elsewhere.
Buxley also operated his Boxout ventures alongside his girlfriend, Yaa Sarah. She described their professional partnership as an important part of their relationship, saying they were partners both in life and in the vision they were working to build.
Tributes have also come from members of Birmingham’s creative and community circles.
Beauty influencer Shantania Beckford remembered Buxley as a community-builder and a pillar of the community, while musician AFFIE praised his consistent support for artists and his commitment to Birmingham.
Former colleague Belinda Kaur described him as “a brother, creative, father, man of God and true leader,” and said those who knew and loved him would continue to honour his kindness through the work and legacy he left behind.
Before his death, Buxley prepared a personal message reflecting on the festivals, events and community spaces he had helped establish during the previous four years. In the message, he expressed hope that his work had made a lasting and meaningful difference in the lives of others.
His death has left colleagues, friends, artists and members of the wider Birmingham community mourning a creative entrepreneur whose work was closely associated with music, culture and community-building.
By: Prince Martey-Sogar