The University of Portsmouth estimates that less than 10 per cent of DJs and just 5 per cent of electronic music producers are women. Despite queer black people pioneering house music, there’s now a running joke that the straight, creative man featured in “Raya” is probably (in some way) a DJ, and dance festival and events are filled with white men. The fact that only 2 to 5 percent of producers are women is a sign that LP Jobi, an American DJ and global music director at W Hotels, is the founder of a non-profit organization that promotes “fairer opportunities for women.” It’s also the very reason I co-founded Fam House. Gender Expanded Individuals in Music”.
Since its founding in 2019, Fam House has hosted production workshops, online courses, and scholarship programs for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC creators, with continued support from W Hotels. Together with W Hotels, LP Giobbi continues to push the boundaries of how hospitality and music intersect, launching live performance series W Presents, bringing a fresh lineup of electronic music to more than 20 destinations around the world. We are delivering. Last week, during ADE, Fam House and Her Dancefloor held a panel discussion at W Amsterdam about taking concrete steps towards equity in dance music. Both LP Giobbi and Cleveland-born DJ, producer, and artist Honeyluv were in attendance. We asked them for tips on how to support your favorite queer and female DJs beyond performative action. Dance music lovers, fellow DJs, and music industry professionals (among others), this is for you.
LP Giobbi says breaking into the world of DJing was a “challenge”. “I faced a lot of gatekeeping and suspicion early on,” she says. “There were times when it seemed like I wasn’t taken seriously or that only very few artists were given opportunities.” Dance music helped her break into the field. She says it was about connecting with others who believe in a more inclusive future for the world. Of course, this is something she has strived to convey at W Hotels, which not only books a wide variety of artists for shows, but also provides them with the education, mentorship, and tools they need to break through barriers. We also support these efforts. “Take the time to share your knowledge, offer guidance, and open doors to people who don’t have the same access to resources and networks,” she says. It’s not just about teaching technical skills, it’s about helping others navigate an industry that can often feel exclusive. ”
HoneyLuv said her friends “forced” her to DJ after hearing her playlist. “I really loved music and wanted to find a way to get into this industry,” she says. “So when they told me to do it, I was like, ‘Okay, cool,'” she says. In 2020, having just been discharged from the military, she began to express herself. Still, she says she was usually the only Black woman in the lineup. Now she was planning to host her own event and encourage other women to become DJs. “Starting next year, we’ll be doing parties in different cities in the United States and then going to Europe,” she says. “Basically, I’m just trying to bring all the communities together by inviting more of my friends and their friends who don’t know what house music is.” The lesson here: It means never underestimate the power of friendship.
LP Giobbi says the world of dance music has come a long way since she started. “When I started my career, it felt like the scene was very homogeneous and dominated by a few voices and perspectives,” she says. “But we still have a long way to go.” As the movement grows, she says, it’s important to ensure that the opportunities presented are more than just symbolic. With this in mind, support festivals, events and organizers that offer real support, whether it’s headline slots, fair representation in the lineup, or access to platforms that can elevate underrepresented voices. You can support your favorite DJs by doing so. “Moving beyond performative behavior means aligning your values with your daily decisions and truly investing in change,” she says. “Music is deeply woven into the fabric of the W Hotels brand.”
If you’re already working behind the scenes in the dance music industry, it goes without saying that you need to platform diverse talent (if you can). But for those attending festivals, it’s worth remembering that your voice and your requests still have power. “I think the most important thing is to tell promoters this is what you want to see,” says HoneyLuv. “I often see people on Twitter and Instagram saying things like, “Can I see other DJs if they’re always there?” And I’m just saying it out loud.” Of course. , if you have a specific DJ in mind, feel free to @ in the comments and spam them with comments and emails until the festival or organizer hears it. After all, that’s what the internet is all about.
got it. You like the Snow Strippers and you’ve probably seen Honey Dijon DJ at least once. But there are still plenty of exciting up-and-coming DJs for you to discover (comment their names on promoters’ Instagram posts). “Be intentional about who you support and use your platform to elevate their voices,” says LP Giobbi. “It’s easy to get used to household names, but real change happens when we actively seek out new, underappreciated talent and give them the spotlight they deserve.” , Honeylove herself, who has shows in the US and UK next month (with more events planned for next year), and W Hotels’ ever-expanding W Presents line-up.
