DJ Monie shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning DJ Monie, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Who are you learning from right now?
Right now, I’m learning from the version of myself that I’ve outgrown.
She’s my greatest teacher.
I’m learning from the mistakes she made, the patterns she repeated, the fears she carried, and the limits she unknowingly accepted. I’m learning from what she tolerated, what she avoided, and what she didn’t believe she was ready for.
That past version of me showed me exactly who I don’t want to be anymore, and also laid the foundation for who I’m becoming. She taught me resilience, creativity, survival, and grit.
But now I’m learning how to step into ease, alignment, leadership, and abundance.
So the person I’m learning from right now isn’t someone external…
It’s the woman I used to be.
She’s the blueprint, the reminder, and the motivation to never shrink again.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Si’mone Lewis, but most people know me as DJ Monie. I’m an Atlanta-based open-format DJ, luxury event entertainer, and brand coach who believes in creating high-vibe experiences everywhere I go. Whether I’m spinning at a wedding, a corporate activation, a private celebration, or in the middle of nightlife energy, my goal is always the same: make people feel something unforgettable.
Over the past few years, I’ve been honored to be named one of DJane’s Top 100 Best U.S. Female DJs (2023 & 2024) and to compete as a 2024 Red Bull Turn It Up DJ Battle Finalist in Charlotte. I’ve had the chance to headline the Melody Music Festival at Wanderland Campground (2023 & 2025), bring big energy to the Tailgate energized by Red Bull at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and play iconic spots like Ghostbar at the Palms and Jardin Dispensary in Vegas.
My work has also caught some media attention, with features in The Hype Magazine, KLAS News 8, and more than 20 different outlets. I’ve even been quoted in national publications for my marketing work with Fract, a location intelligence software company I support.
Outside of DJing, I’ve spent over a decade as a brand coach and graphic designer, helping celebrities, influencers, and entrepreneurs show up with strong, memorable visual identities. I also create digital branding tools, DJ resources, and offer one-on-one coaching for creatives who want to grow their brand and business.
I’m also the founder of World DJ Alliance, a global community for DJs, curators, and creatives. I’m passionate about empowering the next wave of talent, so I offer both virtual and in-person DJ lessons and business coaching to help people step into their full potential.
Booking Available Worldwide | DJ Sets, Brand Coaching, & Digital Resources
Follow @thedjmonie on all platforms or visit www.djmonie.com to book, shop, or connect.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
The people who taught me the most about work are my parents and my brother — each in completely different but equally powerful ways.
My mother has been an entrepreneur her whole life, and watching her navigate business with resilience and determination taught me what it looks like to create your own lane instead of waiting for someone to give you one. She showed me grit, consistency, and how to move with purpose.
My father is incredibly creative, and from him I learned to see the world through possibility. His imagination and artistic approach shaped how I express myself, how I build brands, and how I show up creatively in everything I do.
And my brother was the first person who introduced me to design and digital creation. He taught me how to use graphic design software when we were younger, and I watched him run his own businesses long before either of us were adults. He showed me what self-taught ambition looks like — the kind you build with your own hands and ideas.
Together, they taught me that work is a mix of creativity, discipline, innovation, and fearlessness — and that’s exactly the spirit I bring into everything I do today.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me back the most in my life has been the fear of outgrowing people and stepping into a version of myself that others might not understand.
It wasn’t fear of failure… I’ve failed and reinvented myself more than once. It wasn’t fear of hard work… I’ve always had that. It was the fear that becoming more would mean leaving people, places, or identities behind, and that choosing my next level might make others uncomfortable.
For a long time, I shrank pieces of myself to keep the peace or to avoid standing out “too much.” I hesitated to take up space, to charge my worth, to show my full talent, or to ask for bigger opportunities because I worried about how it would shift the dynamics around me.
But the truth is, every time I finally moved anyway, I leveled up. Every time I released the fear of losing people, I found the most aligned versions of myself.
So the fear that held me back the most wasn’t fear of trying — it was fear of transforming.
And now I’m learning not to apologize for evolving.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Whew chile…. Ok, let me rant for just a moment, because there are a few of them.
One of the biggest lies my industry tells itself is that success is only about talent. It’s not. Talent matters, but branding, professionalism, relationships, consistency, and strategy matter just as much — and sometimes even more.
Another lie is that you have to struggle or “pay dues forever” to be considered legitimate. The truth is, a lot of DJs and creatives stay stuck because they won’t treat their craft like a business. They keep waiting for someone to “discover” them instead of building systems, investing in their brand, and creating their own opportunities.
The industry also loves to pretend that visibility is the same as viability, as if going viral equals being booked, or being popular equals being profitable. But the reality is, there are DJs who stay low-key and make more money than the ones chasing validation online.
And finally, one of the biggest lies is that authenticity isn’t marketable. People act like you have to fit a certain mold to get booked, when in reality, the DJs who lean into their identity, energy, and story are the ones who stand out and build real longevity.
But, that’s just my opinion.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I were to retire today, I think my clients would miss the experience I bring more than anything else — whether they’re hiring me to DJ their event or trusting me to help build their brand.
My event clients would miss the way I read a room, the way I curate energy that feels effortless and personal, and the professionalism that elevates every space I touch. They’d miss the vibe, the confidence, the attention to detail, and the luxury feel that turns a moment into a memory.
And my creative clients — the DJs, creators, and entrepreneurs I support — would miss the clarity, creativity, and strategy I bring into their ideas. They’d miss the way I help them see the bigger picture, refine their brand, and step into a stronger version of themselves. They’d miss having someone who understands both the art and the business.
So if I retired today, I don’t think people would just miss what I do. They’d miss the Monie magic… the energy, the intention, the guidance, and the transformation that happens when I’m in the room or on their team.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.djmonie.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thedjmonie
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedjmonie
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thedjmonie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedjmonie
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedjmonie
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/thedjmonie
Image Credits
Photos by DJ Monie
