Sound and Style begins with a recognition that today’s DJs are more than curators of music—they are architects of culture. Across London, Africa, Atlanta, and beyond, they shape not only how we hear sound, but how we experience identity, style, and community in real time. Their presence extends past the booth, influencing fashion, setting visual tone, and defining the energy of the spaces they move through. In a global landscape where music and style are increasingly inseparable, these DJs represent a new class of tastemakers, building culture across borders with intention and perspective. These are the DJs moving culture forward.
Whipp Appeal
"DJing and fashion are part of the experience I like to create for myself and the crowd. When I look good, I feel good, and when I feel good, I perform great—because when I play, it’s always an extension of me. I love adding a unique flavor to the community because I’m alternative. There aren’t a lot of alternative DJs who are open format, in my opinion, so it naturally makes me stand out. But I think it’s beautiful because it can inspire others to come out and show up, because WE HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY. As a Black, queer, alternative woman, I’ve noticed there are times when we aren’t included and are even outcast in our regular day-to-day lives—including in our own communities. Not anymore. Never again."
Akwaflow
"Whenever I turn up to a DJ set I want to be the em-
bodiment of what I want to play. An RnB set? You’ll see
me in an outfit inspired by the 90s. A more jumpy set?
I’m trying to stand out, you’ll see me in bright colours.
I like to wear things that are not only intentional to my
sound, but will also have me feeling my best. You’ll
usually catch me with a Gucci or New Era hat on too,
so much so that they are synonymous with my style and
personal brand. Whenever people see them, I want it
to be associated with me.”
Sonhdon
"I think that the two naturally flow within each
other like yin and yang to me, so any statement
that I make when I’m styling myself is just a
natural reflection of my daily life and influenc-
es including the sound I curate. For example,
spring and summer are my favorite times to DJ
because of all the flowy scarves I can layer, all
that. It helps me feel more like myself in front of
people and less like a court jester you know? I
feel like my sound will always come first, and the
style will follow. I love to dig in my 70’s bring-the-
house-down crate, I won’t always be swishing
around in bell-bottoms or rocking the classic
orange brown and green colors of that time, but
I feel the attitude and energy that shapes the
music will bring me right back to where I
need to be”
Jade Edwards
"I love thinking about what I want
to wear at my DJ sets. I can count on one hand the
times I haven’t thought about it, and that was proba-
bly because I was sick lol. Sometimes my style
may not reflect my sound, and I love that! I wear what
I want to wear, and I feel like I’ve always been
that way. Sometimes I just like to throw people off,
aha! I remember when I recorded my Cafe 1001
set, and even though I was playing a deep, soulful,
disco-style set, I wore a Slipknot T-shirt. I think it’s
fun to keep them guessing.”
Kenny Larry
NYC | @KENLARTEY
"It’s becoming more intentional the further along
I get into my career. At first, there was virtually no
thought put into it besides either going for max com-
fort for a 4+ hour set or going all out to pair an outfit
with a new statement piece. Presentation matters and
fashion is a vital part of that, especially as I play in
more and more curated spaces. Language also mat-
ters and fashion is one way to communicate or signal
things. It’s always important to show up in something
that is unique to me and my taste, the same way I do
with the music I play.”
NELLO
ATL | @_N_E_L_L_E_
"Sound and style work together in shaping my
presence by allowing me to express myself
through liberation, joy, and experimentation with-
out boundaries. As an African American woman,
I pride myself on having an intersectional creative
lens that is often overlooked and devalued. Being
able to experiment through sound and style is a
form of therapy and reflective practice that helps
me make sure I am prioritizing my creative expres-
sion and peace."
CEE
CAPETOWN, SOUTH AFRICA | @_CEEWORLD___
"What I wear needs to align with the sound
I’m delivering and the space I’m in. If the music
is minimal and atmospheric, my style reflects that
restraint. If the energy is darker or more percussive,
there’s a sharper edge visually. I see style as an
extension of the sonic experience, it signals what
kind of journey you’re about to enter. It’s subtle,
but it matters.”
Camp Minister
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA | @CAMP_MINISTER
“Sound and style are both tools I use to build a
world on the dance floor. Fashion is my opening
statement before the first beat drops. What I’m wear-
ing gives people a preview of what they’re about to
hear - black, queer, bold, campy, punchy. My style
visually takes up space, and when the music starts
there’s a moment of alignment, because the sound
carries the same energy. The look draws you in, and
the music confirms it.”
Harleighblu
NOTTINGHAM, UK | @HARLEIGHBLU
“I’ve always been told I’m “peacocking” ha ha
but I just love clothes, I love style, and I love putting
outfits together. I’m an artist, DJ and musician, so
I love creating and playing music. I feel like they’re
two of the same thing really. Another way to express
ourselves exactly how we want to!”
ANDRD18
SOUTH AFRICA | @ANDRD18_DJ
“Sound sets the temperament — style frames
it. Together they create context. What I play and
how I present myself are both about texture, and
mood — neither is loud, but both are deliberate.”
K3
LONDON, UK | @DJAYK3
“Sound and style must speak the same language.
Amapiano is a growing global sound, but it carries
elegance and depth. I try to reflect that in how I
present myself, a mix of old and new, heritage and
modern energy. It’s about balance. The music is
smooth but powerful, and my style mirrors that.”
Selasi
BROOKLYN, NY/LONDON, UK | @SELASI.JNR
"You often find that how you look dictates how
you are perceived and treated. As a DJ, people
usually see you for a long time before speaking
– if ever. People will consume your looks, how
you present, your style, branding and your sound
before speaking to you
My sound is soulful, can be relaxing and energetic,
pulse-driven and moving, paired with smoot seam-
less mixing. My style and fashion choices evoke
similar connotations. Both my style and sound are
key points in my branding as a DJ because they are
key features in my everyday life outside of DJing.
Working as a civil engineer, and curating playlists
for radio stations, music is always around me a
how I dress is always on point.“
Ni'Coco
SCOTLAND & MANCHESTER, UK | @NOTQUITEVOGUE
"To me, they work hand in hand—essentially
they’re the same thing. You can’t have a notable
sound without knowing your style. I use my back-
ground as a personal fashion stylist to help me shape
my sets; to me, it’s the same concept. I start with a
foundaTon sound as my base layer, then I build on it
and accessorise. In DJing, that means adding differ-
ent genres or edits in a way that complements the
core musical vibe.
So to answer your question, if everything is mis-
matched, my oubit—or my set—won’t come together
properly. In an industry where your sound is your
style and itdoes the talking for you, what you wear
can reinforce that message. You might pair your set
with a bold oubit that says, “I’m bold and I’m here to
play boldly,” or go for something like a huge hoodie
and sunglasses that says, “Focus on the music, not
me.”
Obe 380
LONDON, UK | @OBE380
“My sound and style work together because
both are expressions of my personality. What I
play and how I present myself come from the same
place, so they naturally connect and reinforce
each other.”
Ashtray
LONDON, UK | @_ASHTREY_
“I am very intentional with what I wear, I feel like I
have a certain look I go for when I’m . I’m very lucky
to surround myself with friends who are extremely
talented and that I always go to before a gig; It’s
always a cute day getting a look together.”
Lil2Hood
NYC | @LIL2HOOD_
“I take pride in the look okay?! I think my look is
synonymous with my sound. I’m very authentic to
myself and if I don’t look like myself, I don’t feel like
myself. I respect my craft and look. My sound is genre
bending, energetic, unexpected and electric. I like to
think my style is the same way.”
Aladji
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND | @ALADJI__
"I dress and adorn myself mentally before I step into the space, physically cleansing, speaking positively, and centering myself so I can enter fully present and provide a meaningful experience for the crowd. The way I dress is a reflection of how I feel inside. Sometimes though, it’s aspirational, bold layers and colors can help me step into a more confident state of being but most of the time, my clothing and adornments are a direct extension of my internal energy. I know the general vibe I want: usually baggy silhouettes with layered jewelry. I’m increasingly exploring bold, expressive, colorful makeup, especially eye makeup. Even without the jewelry or colorful makeup, I carry the same presence and confidence because I know what I’m here to do, and I’ve been doing it long enough to trust myself. "
Hezzy
OAKLAND, CA | @HEZZY2SAUCY
“For me, sound and style are inseparable. I think of
myself as an audio-visual experience. Like in film, the
soundtrack matters just as much as the shot; you need
both to fully transport people.
When I DJ, I’m not only thinking about what people hear.
I’m thinking about what they see, what they feel, and how
every detail contributes to the atmosphere. The music,
the outfit, the venue, the decor, the pacing, the crowd
energy—they all work together. My style is an extension
of my sound, and my sound reinforces my style.
That’s also why the spaces I help create tend to feel
elevated. There’s intention behind the aesthetics, the
presentation, the props, and even the way people are
welcomed into the room. When the visual language
matches the sonic one, the experience becomes more
immersive and more memorable”
Black Daria
MEXICO CITY & PORTLAND, OREGON | @JENETORADE
“To be honest, DJing in CDMX means I’m playing
in a lot of hot, sweaty clubs. There are also nights
where I play at multiple clubs in one night, so function
will sometimes take priority, but the look is always
intentional. I also like to move a lot during my sets
so I’ll aim for something breathable and functional.
The vibe is usually giving ‘sporty spice’ but with a
CDMX touch. I also wear a lot of local brands, and
frequently find one-of-a-kind upcycled pieces to add
to my style. Some of my favorites are: theelabrand,
r3r3_mx, rejectedmx”
Enimoney
LONDON, UK | @DJENIMONEY
“For me, sound and style are really two sides
of the same story, they inform and amplify each
other. When what people hear aligns with what
they see, it creates clarity and coherence. Nothing
feels forced; it feels natural, confident and authen-
tic. I love fashion and brands, especially shades.
There’s something about sunglasses that gives a
little mysterious energy, almost uninviting. But that
contrast is exactly what I enjoy: the visual can hold
back a little, while my music and my energy on
the decks are warm and inviting. It creates tension
and intrigue before people even hear a note. If my
sound is minimal, layered and deliberate, my style
mirrors that... clean, considered and intentional. If
my set is warm, experimental, or unexpected, that
energy carries into how I move, how I dress and
how I occupy a space. When sound and style are
in sync, the experience doesn’t feel fragmented. It
becomes one complete, immersive story where the
beats, the energy, and the look all work together to
pull people in and make them feel something real.”
Senhorâ
CAPETOWN, AFRICA | @_NORNORSENHORA
“Maintaining a polished and fresh appearance
while delivering exceptional and memorable per-
formances. It’s as if these two aspects complement
each other, with one ensuring a clean and stylish
presentation while the other allows me to share my
deepest passion with the world. Fashion provides a
medium for self-expression, while music carries a
spectrum of emotions through its rhythm and sound.”
KO
NYC | @OFFICIALDJKO
“I’m definitely intentional about what I wear, but it
often depends on how long or significant the moment
is meant to last. If I’m stepping into an iconic space
or a moment that feels culturally important, I usually
put more thought into how I want to express myself
through fashion. At the same time, comfort is
always a priority for me because it directly affects
how I perform and connect with people. I approach
style as a balance between expression and function-
ality — I want to look like myself, represent the
moment properly, and still feel free enough to fully
do my job.”
BRIDGE
NYC | @IAMBRIDGEET
“I recently DJ’d for Book Club
Radio on February 27th and the theme of their party
was Pirates. I was really intentional about the char-
acter I created through the “Bridge” persona and
worked closely with Sionan on the look. The look was
inspired by Creole women and free women of color
from the Gilded Age of Piracy who were instrumental
in port cities when pirates used them for trade, food,
and supplies. Additionally, the look took inspiration
from Creole women’s style from the 1700s–1800s
that blended French-influenced elegance, African
and Caribbean influence, and ornate hats that we
see in Black churches today. All of that told the story
of freedom that was carried through by a 90-minute
disco and house set, by a Black woman. From the
moment I hit the stage, people were enthralled by the
look, the drama, and the curation of the music. I firmly
believe that they listened and danced more intensively
because my style was woven into the performance.”
Samurai
PARANÁ/IGUAÇU FALLS, BRASIL | @TESORO.SAMURAI
"I’m very intentional about my style, because
being in front of the audience is already part of
the performance. What I wear is an extension of what
I play. I often combine pieces by Latin
American designers with carefully selected second
hand treasures, drawn to garments that
feel unique and full of character.
I think about color, texture, and silhouette in the same
way I think about sound, as layers that
build atmosphere. My goal is to create coherence
between image and music, so the
experience becomes visual, sonic, and sensorial at
once."
DJDJ
PHILADELPHIA, PA | @ITSDJDJ
“Sound is knowing what to play and style
is knowing how to play it. I think that’s there is
beauty in it because that’s what separates me
from everyone else."
Explore the full Sound and Style feature in Issue 008, now available in print and digital, and tap into the soundtrack on Spotify to experience the sounds behind the DJs shaping culture worldwide.
