DJ Monie of Buckhead on Life, Lessons & Legacy

DJ Monie shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi DJ Monie, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Right now, I’m being called to step fully into the version of myself that I used to only get a glimpse of. The one who leads boldly, operates at a higher level, and isn’t afraid to be seen in her full power.

For a long time, I played small in certain areas. Not because I lacked talent, but because I was afraid of outgrowing people, shifting my identity again, or stepping into spaces that felt “too big.”

But this season is different. I’m being called to build on a global scale, not just local. Lead a community instead of simply participating in one. Present myself as the CEO, not just the creative. Ask for bigger opportunities, instead of waiting to be discovered. Show up with more intention and professionalism than ever before.

What once felt intimidating now feels necessary.

I’m being called to expand. To stop hiding the strategic, powerful, entrepreneurial side of me, and to embrace the platforms, partnerships, and responsibilities that come with the next level of my purpose.

I’m not just being called to dream bigger. I’m being called to become bigger.

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.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
For the past few years, I’ve been known for bringing bold energy, confidence, and a little edge to every stage I’ve touched. My brand has always been about freedom. Freedom to create, to express, and to be unapologetically me.

But lately, I’ve felt a shift.

As my artistry and opportunities have grown, I realized that the image I started with no longer matched the vision I have for my future. I wanted to attract bigger stages, brand partnerships, and corporate clients — the kind of experiences that require intention, not just attention.

So, I made a decision. I officially stepped away from the Playboy platform and transformed The Risqué DJ from a public persona into a private, bookable experience. It’s still part of me — confident, sexy, fearless — but now it’s curated for exclusive events where that energy belongs.

This rebrand isn’t about losing my edge; it’s about refining my power.

I’m still the same DJ Monie — just more focused, elevated, and strategic than ever.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I don’t really believe in “giving up.” I believe in shifting.

There have been moments when something I was working on didn’t unfold the way I imagined; business concepts I thought were “the thing,” ideas I poured everything into, but instead of forcing it, I learned to pivot.

Every time I’ve shifted, it’s led me to another version of myself, another lesson, another talent I might’ve never discovered if I had kept plugging away at something that wasn’t aligned with where I was meant to go.

For me, “giving up” isn’t failure; it’s redirection. It’s trusting that when something stops working, it’s because something greater is trying to find its way through me.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. The public version of me is absolutely real, but it’s not the whole me.

I lead with authenticity in everything I do, but I’m also very intentional about what I share. I don’t have “personal” social media accounts because I’m online for professional purposes. I treat my digital presence like an extension of my brand, not a diary.

What I choose to show is the version of me that’s aligned with my purpose, my work, and the community I’m building. I interact with people who feel aligned, support others professionally, and protect the parts of my life that deserve privacy.

So yes, what you see is real. It’s just the curated version meant for the world, not the private version meant for me.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I lived my life with intention and courage. That I wasn’t afraid to evolve, to reinvent myself, or to walk away from what no longer aligned.

I want the story of my life to reflect someone who followed her purpose boldly, created opportunities for others, and turned every challenge into a lesson that elevated not just me, but the people around me.

I hope people say that I made them feel seen, empowered, and capable of more — whether through my music, my leadership, my creativity, or the way I showed up in the community.

Most of all, I hope the story they tell is that I didn’t just chase success… I created impact. I used my gifts to open doors, build experiences, connect people, and leave the world a little more inspired than I found it.

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 provided by DJ Monie