The Ask Rayceen Show wouldn't be what it is without the announcers and DJs who donate their time and talents to the show.  We thank them for their support over the years!  These skilled professionals are available for bookings, so please contact us if you need assistance booking them for your upcoming event.

Anthony DeRon Oakes is one of the most promising comedians within the metropolitan area of Washington, DC.  In fact, Oakes considers himself to be “a force to be reckoned with.”  Throughout his career, his southern charm and quick wit have been wowing audiences wherever he performs.  As a frequent announcer for The Ask Rayceen Show, he has also been delighting the crowd nearly every month, and continues to be a tremendous asset to the free monthly events.

The Mount Airy, North Carolina, native began honing his comedic skills in the DC area by performing with, In Laughing Color (ILC).  Organizers of the performance space pride themselves in cultivating and presenting performances of life affirming comedy by trans/queer, POC (People of Color), and Black performers.  Their primary goal is to teach queer and trans people of color to perform improv, write jokes and command an audience.  

The program also prides itself in creating a supportive community for performers to collaboratively create, laugh, heal, reflect, and develop as artists through comedy.  At the end of their six week training course, after learning the basics of “life affirming” stand-up comedy through silly warmups and writing exercises and developing their own five-minute sets, all participants are expected to perform in the program’s signature graduation showcase.  During Oakes 2015 graduating class, the workshop culminated with a performance of In Laughing Color: For Queerky Folk Who Considered the Mic When Comedy Central Wasn’t Enuf.  

As a new graduate, Oakes hit the streets of DC and began performing at various open mic events.  Once people started to notice his comedic talent, he began to be booked for shows up and down the east coast. He now produces Jokes & Thrills @ The Bachelor's Mill, each last Thursday of the month.  The show routinely features some of DC's funniest comedians who aim to joke and thrill guest into oblivion.  The atmosphere is described as a swanky, laid-back, LGBTQ friendly zone that promises to provide guests with a comfortable space to enjoy a wide-variety talent.  

Oakes is also the Host and Events Coordinator for Smoke & Joke, a cannabis themed show featuring what organizers bill as “some awesome comedians” who promised to “set the stage ablaze” while guests “blaze up!”  The comedy showcase became so popular it experienced multiple sold out performances.  Oakes promptly created a second installment - Smoke & Joke II - billed as “Two of your favorite things in life...laughter and 'herbal' refreshments.”  With each new show, the event became more and more popular and eventually several other Smoke & Joke events were held (at least 6 were staged by the time of this writing). 

Oakes is also a writer who majored in English Language and Literature at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.  After graduation, he moved to New York City where he wrote for several publications, including Black Hairstyles and Trends magazine, and was also a writer for the Fox reality show Ambush Makeover.  As a child, Oakes had initially developed a strong interest in the beauty industry while helping his aunt in her salon.  

Oakes later moved to the metropolitan DC area and landed a job at Loc Lov Salon.  The establishment is one of the nation's premier Natural Hair Care Salons and specializes in elegant Loc Artistry.  The salon even had the honor of being featured in Essence magazine.  At the salon, Oakes became the Event Coordinator for Loc Lov Events and maintains responsibility for any special affairs booked at the upscale venue, including the Loc Lov Comedy Showcase.  Oakes also hosts Loc Lov Live, a weekly 30 minute Facebook Live show that features a variety of guests and focuses on hair care, current events, and various issues within the local community.  

You can also find Oakes every Thursday night at 6pm at Listen Vision Studios as the host of the live internet radio show - Thursday Night Tea with Anthony.  The comedy based show is billed as “the dopest, freshest, live radio internet show this side of The Mason Dixon Line.”  As the show’s host, Oakes has established a strong reputation for always providing a fresh and witty comedic spin on various community issues.   In addition, the show routinely features call-ins, special guests, political figures, community activists, entertainers, and musicians.  Viewers can also expect various panel discussions, amazing comedy skits, and the most current headlines and news.  Fans can watch the show live at www.listenvisionlive.com, or simply stop by the studio to view the show in person.  

Without question, the amazing career of Anthony Oakes will certainly evolve and thrive in the coming years as he continues to perform in the DC area and abroad.  Fans of comedy, fashion, and style are encouraged to stay tuned for nothing but GREATNESS from this RISING STAR!

Contact Anthony Oakes today for your next event or special project!

Contact: WrittenScruples@yahoo.com

Curt Mariah is a Washington, DC, based comedian who occasionally works as an emcee, chef and actor.

In 2015, she began volunteering as an announcer for The Ask Rayceen Show, and serves as a special co-host for various Team Rayceen events.  Mariah made her debut as a comedian in 2013 and continued to make the rounds in various clubs throughout the metropolitan area.  She also starred as Veronica “Ronnie” Clarke in the BlueCentric BCTV webseries Skye's The Limit, which allowed her to explore her acting skills while also exposing her talent to an international audience.

In 2015, Mariah began volunteering as an announcer for The Ask Rayceen Show, and subsequently began serving as a special co-host for various Team Rayceen events.  The year 2015 was a banner year for Mariah as she also had the opportunity to play a prominent role in several critically-acclaimed events.  In January, she hosted Hot Cocoa (a fundraiser for Honey Groove - a festival spotlighting the talents of queer women of color).  The fundraiser sold out one week in advance and Mariah later took part in the result of the campaign - The Honey Groove Queer Music and Arts Festival.  In March, she served as special guest and co-host along with fellow comic Chelsea Shorte for the very well received In Laughing Color: For Queerky Folks Who Considered the Mic When Comedy Central Wasn't Enuf.  

She later performed in Ladies & Laughter Comedy Show (part of The Annual Capital Queer Women’s Summit) and ended the year by collaborating with Rayceen Pendarvis to present Saturday Nights @ Artomatic with Rayceen Pendarvis and Curt Mariah. If that's not enough, Mariah also co-starred in the YouTube webseries Curbside Pickup, along with Abraxas Morganna, and was personally selected to participate in an episode of the online podcast Whatever is Whatever. The following year, she made two additional radio appearances on This Light: Sounds for Social Change and Inside Out with Rayceen Pendarvis.

Born in Washington, DC, and primarily raised in Charleston, South Carolina, Mariah comes from a family of extraordinary cooks.  As a health conscious foodie, her love of food motivated her to become an aspiring chef who occasionally collaborates with her sister Zachari Curtis.  Curtis is a Community Accountable Farmer, Bee Keeper, and Founder/CEO of Good Sense Farm & Apiary.  The multi-site urban farm was inspired by the siblings childhood visits to their Great-Grandmother's farm in North Carolina.  The enterprise provides a diverse array of local delicacies while also raising healthy bee colonies that produce the finest local honey.  Mariah has been known to support the endeavor at local markets throughout Washington, DC.

Today, you can find Mariah continuing to hone her comedic skills in various metropolitan area comedy clubs and striving to live up to her motto "Black, Queer, Funnier than you."

Contact Curt Mariah today for your next event or special project! 

Contact: CurtMariah@gmail.com

Krylios  Clarke is a Broadcast Journalism major at Howard University in Washington, DC.  He has an intense passion for writing and broadcasting and uses these skills to highlight positive stories within the LGBTQ+ community.  In late 2016, he began volunteering with Team Rayceen in hopes of better connecting with DC area residents. 

Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Clarke (who also goes by "K.D.") attended the prestigious Munro College -

the only all-boys boarding school in Jamaica.  The school is reputed to have produced the most Rhode Scholars of any school in the Caribbean.  During his tenure there, Clarke was awarded two gold medals and one silver medal in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s Speech Festival Competition.  After graduation, Clarke decided to take a year off from school to tour the Caribbean Islands.  During this period, he also began writing his first novel with the hope of becoming a published fiction writer.  Although he later received acceptance letters from ten US universities, Clarke ultimately made the conscious decision to attend Howard University, in Washington, DC.  

On campus, Clarke has become extremely involved in various radio, newspaper, and video broadcasts.  A short list of his activities include, co-hosting the podcast Millennial Match-up on Glasshouse Radio (part of the Howard University Radio Network), serving as a staff writer for The Odyssey Online (a national publication aimed at millennials), and writing for The Hilltop (Howard University's monthly newspaper).  Most notably, in 2016, Clarke was selected as a panelist for the US State Department Education USA Panel.  Broadcast to every US embassy in the world, the informative discussion aimed to reach out to LGBTQ+ students in foreign countries planning to attend US universities.  Clarke has also been actively involved in the Coalition of Activist Students Celebrating the Acceptance of Diversity and Equality (CASCADE), the longest continuously running LGBTQIA organization at any HBCU.  Currently, Clarke can be seen co-hosting the talk show Bison View on the Spotlight network.

As a millennial and a Jamaican native, Clarke takes pride in opening the minds of other Caribbean students and friends regarding the unique issues concerning the LGBTQ+ community.  On his Blog, he states that he's “very committed to spreading love, tolerance, equality and non-violence.”  Undoubtedly, Clarke will continue to be a positive force for change for many years to come.

Contact Krylios Clarke today for your next event or special project!

Contact:KrylMunsta@gmail.com

Chris Jay is a queer Photographer, Drag King, Emcee, Podcaster, and Entrepreneur, who identifies as gender non-conforming.  As such, the name “Chris Jay” is reserved for performing in various Drag King endeavors, while “Chris Jennings” is used while working as a professional photographer.  The Columbia, Maryland, native can also be referred to as “X-Jay.”

Chris Jay has served as Co-Producer of both Chocolate City Burlesque & Cabaret and Pretty Boi Drag.  The award-winning Drag King was first introduced to the art form while working as a photographer.  Interested in finding new subjects to photograph, Jay happened upon the D.C. Kings and started shooting as many of their performances as possible.  Jay remembers, "The connection I felt watching the kings perform was immediate and intimate.  And the chemistry between the kings and my camera was explosive.  I returned, camera in tow, the very next show to live it all again.  I had to know more, about drag kings and the performers who endow them with some combination of swag, silliness and soul."  

The D.C. Kings were known for their gender-variant performance art that included everything from male impersonation, singing, lip syncing, skits and much more.  About six months later, Jay started performing with the Kings and continues to perform with various Drag groups today.  Jay states, "As a member of this community, I have photographed numerous shows, made long-lasting friendships, found a chosen family, and become a drag king myself.  This project, which was once a detour on my journey of self-discovery, now has a different perspective and understanding."

Today, Jay enjoys a thriving and fulfilling career as a Drag King, and even had the honor of winning the 2016 Washington Blade Best of Gay DC award for Best Drag King.  Jay states, “Drag kings are and have always been more than just women dressing up as men.  So many people have found their confidence, 

their sex appeal, their creativity, and themselves through performing as a drag king.  My drag persona is me at a thousand, so I’m kind of full of myself and way more outgoing.  I’m a lover of R&B, so you’ll find me performing that mostly.”  A couple of years later, Jay also had the honor of being named the 2018 King of Pride in Baltimore, Maryland.  

As a photographer at Chris Jay Photos, the creative entrepreneur shoots portraits of performers, small business owners, local artists, and much more.  The passionate professional truly enjoys working on projects that promote and celebrate the subjects in their best light.  “I keep my prices reasonable so people can afford to promote themselves.  I like to help them realize what they see in their heads.”  

Jay was originally introduced to photography while working at a JC Penny Portrait Studio after graduating from high school.  “During the first Christmas season, I shot bazillions of family portraits and loved it.  After that I worked for a company taking school portraits for seven years.”  Jay has truly excelled in this profession and the guru’s photography career was even honored with the 2015 Washington Blade Best of Gay DC award for Best Artist.  After winning the award Jay stated “Since I first started hanging out in D.C. three years ago, I wanted to win this.  It’s the result of a lot of hard work.”  

Prominent projects in Jay's portfolio include the L.A.C.E. Radio Podcast, the L.A.C.E. Media Podcast (a 2015 Washington Blade Best of Gay DC winner), and L.A.C.E. Magazine (a local arts magazine based out of Baltimore, MD).  The entrepreneur also hopes to one day publish Kingxtaposition - a photo book chronicling the history of the Drag King community over several years in Washington, DC.  Some of the subjects included in the book were former members of the D.C. Kings.  Jay states, I want to help tell the stories of drag kings and how their lives have expanded along their journeys as performers.  I want to illustrate how their drag king alter egos differ and yet are still similar to their everyday selves.  These images represent what could happen if a drag king met their host’s persona. 

Jay hopes to one day expand the project, stating “The goal is to start traveling the country and meeting kings and photographing them.  Although still unpublished, select images from the ongoing project are available for download on the official website.  Jay looks back at the work, stating "That idea has come to life.  Over the past two years, I have immersed myself in the Washington, DC drag king community and I have changed in ways I never expected.  I have found my “thing.”

Currently, fans can enjoy Jay on several Facebook Live podcasting projects including the Coffee With Chris Show.  Jay’s photography work for Chris Jay Photos continues to be featured in several Washington Blade articles, so be sure to look out for the name ”Chris Jennings“ when browsing through your next copy of the DC newspaper.  The Washington Blade also featured Jennings in its very popular “QUEERY” series (under the names Chris Jennings & X-Jay).  When the mufti-talented artist was presented with the question “If your life were a book, what would the title be?” Jay enthusiastically replied “This Is Just The Beginning.”

Contact Chris Jay today for your next event or special project!

Contact: ChrisJayPhoto@gmail.com

D.H. DaHitwryter has experienced a somewhat unique career that has admittedly allowed her to wear many hats.  Her journey thus far was paved with a long and varied list of “titles” - Independent Recording Artist, Songwriter, Backup Vocalist, Media/Radio Personality, Variety Show Host, Journalist, Promotional/Marketing Executive, Motivational Speaker, Workshop Facilitator, and Self-Care Advocate.  Despite the many roads the multifaceted entrepreneur has traveled, she generally feels her current destination was well worth the journey!

D.H. DaHitwryter began her association with music at her local church.  She states “Growing up in church, I was surrounded by a lot of talent.  I had an aunt on the church choir and I was in the Youth and Women’s Choir.  Being around music that much, I discovered that I could write so I wrote a gospel song for my church when I was about 9 years old.  After that I got into poetry really heavy and then I started rapping.”

The Baltimore, Maryland, native quickly began to express a desire to learn more about the music industry. Before long, she was able to land a gig as an intern for UN World Records/UN World Entertainment. Through hard work, dedication, and determination, she was ultimately able to rise through the ranks and eventually become one of the company’s core Executives.  In this role, she was given the responsibility to develop and oversee various marketing and promotional tasks.  

Simultaneously, D.H. DaHitwryter began focusing on careers in Journalism, Radio, and Hosting.  Before long, she decided to broaden her horizon even further by signing with Priceless Music as a songwriter.  This lead to her exploring careers as a Solo Performer and Backup Vocalist, and ultimately collaborating with Kristin Price and Eric Arceneaux to score a popular YouTube single in 2010.  When asked “What inspires your music?” she stated “My music is inspired by life.  I discuss things I’ve gone through, seen or stories that people have shared with me.  I even find billboards, graffiti or random visual art as inspiration when I’m telling a story.”

In an interview about her solo single 03.26.1986, she stated that the song was “the intro to my life story.  I talk about growing up without a dad, overcoming challenges and rising to my inner greatness.  With this record, I wanted to get personal about my childhood and inspire people to overcome whatever they are going through!  I was also blessed to meet a band called Mixed Ancestry and get back to live sounds and instruments.  Getting back to my sound, was a huge motivation!”

Despite experiencing a tremendous amount of professional success, her personal life began to undergo an extraordinary shift.  She then began to embark upon a life changing spiritual journey by focusing more on her own personal health and learning the importance of self-love and self-care.  Ultimately, D.H. DaHitwryter committed to being a recording artist full time.  She also decided to use the art form to teach others all that she had learned as a Motivational Speaker and Self-Care Advocate.  Dedicated to spreading the message, she stated “It’s important for me to help others by sharing my story and opening up about some of the darkest moments in my life and ending it with motivational messages and encouragement.”  

As the co-founder of both Heal Baltimore and Creativity and Conscious Sippin, D.H. DaHitwryter currently helps to create events that bring people together to support art and to give back to their respective communities.  She is also the host of Thursday Night Realness - a popular variety show in the city of Baltimore, in addition to facilitating workshops that focus on mental health and self-care.  Undoubtedly, D.H. DaHitwryter is strongly committed to using her career to give back, inspire, and motivate others to FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS!

Contact D.H. DaHitwryter today for your next event or special project! 

Contact: DAHitWryter@gmail.com

Chelsea Shorte describes herself as a comedian, storyteller, writer, and “regular gay.”  When she’s not on stage, she enjoys cultivating her creative writing skills for satirical essays, screenplays, and sketch writing. Additionally, you can find her applying her keen creativity to podcasting, acting, and drag performances.  In her free time she also enjoys reading, dancing, and learning.  When asked to reflect on her life, she simply sums up her brief statement by saying, “I love having fun and bringing happiness where ever I go.” 

The Richmond, Virginia, native originally came to Washington for work and ultimately started doing comedy because, “I wanted to smile more,” she says.  By day, she works at a consulting firm as a software developer, yet she’s quick to point out that her comedy writing is not a side job - “It’s my main project that does not yet pay all of my bills,” she declares.  Shorte’s comedy career officially began in 2011 and has continued to thrive and flourish ever since.  Over time, she has had the honor to perform at Washington’s historic Howard Theater, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, as well as, the DC Improv Comedy Club, ComedySportz, Busboys and Poets, and multiple colleges and comedy venues across the country.

Chelsea Shorte’s comedic endeavors experienced a breakthrough moment, when in 2013 she performed alongside fellow comedian Sampson McCormick in That B*tch Better Be Funny.  Held at the legendary Howard Theatre in Washington, DC, McCormick served as the show’s main headliner and even made history as the first openly gay African-American male comedian to headline a show at the historic venue. Established in 1910, the Howard Theatre had been home to some of the world’s most iconic African-American performers.  The previous year, Wanda Sykes made history by becoming the first openly gay female comedienne to headline at the DC landmark.  Shorte embraced this pivotal milestone by delighting the crowd with her unique comedy skills, which primarily drew upon her everyday life experiences.  She also remembers being very adamant in making sure that audience members were never the focal point of a joke.  “No one should feel victimized or singled out for coming to my show,” she stated.  Indeed, the rising comic’s “conscious” comedy would form the foundation of her comedy career.

Another big break came in 2014, when it was announced that Last Comic Standing - a comedy competition airing on NBC, would be holding local auditions for their ninth season.  Several contestants would aim for the stars and be critiqued by celebrity judges who were ultimately in charge of selecting the final winner. Held at the DC Improv Comedy Club, the event was considered a big deal by most up-and-coming comics, including Shorte, who happily agreed to audition.  As usual, a variety of hopefuls would compete by going through a series of rounds.  Contestants aimed to advance to the last round, where they could ultimately win the competition, a cash prize, and the prospect of hosting their very own comedy television show.  When interviewed about the experience, Shorte stated “I want to show not just that I’m funny, but who I am and how that is unique.  The jokes I choose address my queerness, how I think about race (more specifically the under-representation of black and brown people…)”

By the spring of 2015, Shorte’s comedy career had advanced to a level where she felt confident enough to teach her comedic craft to others.  Along with Richael Faithful and Griffin Moore, she became the co-founder of In Laughing Color: For Queerky Folks Who Considered the Mic When Comedy Central Wasn’t Enuf (ILC). The show primarily served as a comedy showcase for up-and-coming queer comics of color.  The three founders believed they could create a safe space to “cultivate and present performances of life affirming comedy by trans/queer, Black, POC, and other folks,” while also providing the audience with Shorte’s trademark “socially conscious punch lines.”  For the show’s premiere, seven amateur comedians took to the stage of The Impact Hub in Washington, DC.  Fellow comedian Curt Mariah performed as the show’s main headliner, while Shorte served as the host and mentor to the group of first-time performers.  She remembers the event vividly, stating “Our first show was a big and almost unexpected success.  We have learned more about what people expect from us and what it takes to produce a comedy show for queer people.  She concluded by saying, “I am proud that ILC has empowered and inspired our graduates to continue writing and performing comedy.  We are on our way to changing the world.”

Throughout her comedy career, Shorte has made a point of venturing out to various locations around the country.  Eventually she made a pivotal stop in Portland, Oregon.  There, she performed with other comedians in Lez Stand Up, a comedy collective that routinely performed sold-out monthly shows.  Kirsten Kuppenbender, the show’s founder, described it as “a curated comedy experience.”  Shorte vividly remembers that “experience,” stating “Before I arrived in Portland, my friend told me how great an influence the women comics in this city have in the community, which was a bit hard for me to believe because in most comedy communities women have to fight incredibly hard to have their voices heard and their opinions respected.  After performing on a few shows in my week here and speaking with the comics in this city, it is such a pleasure to discover that it is in fact so!  The people involved in Lez Stand Up are well respected in their community for their talents.”

Shorte continued to expand her career horizons, and in April 2015 she began to co-host the biweekly podcast Tagg Nation along with Katy Ray, and Jade Salazar.  The show’s creator/producer Eboné F. Bell - who also publishes Tagg Magzine - deliberately recruited three very different women to anchor the show. Collectively, the trio aimed to speak directly to their national and international audience about a variety of issues.  The lineup focused on news, current events, entertainment, media, politics, culture, and much more. Bell says, “We love our print publication, but a lot of people are finding us online and we chose a podcast because there just aren’t a lot of radio or podcasts dedicated to the queer women’s community.”  Shorte’s favorite segment on the show is What’s Hot and What’s Not because “I like to rip both the Hot and Not to shreds,” she says.  Shorte firmly stands behind the podcast and thinks everyone should tune in, stating “if you’re sitting at your desk and you want to hear [a ]queer identified person talk about queer issues, tune in.  If you think my voice is sexy, you should tune in.  If you like hearing people argue with Katy Ray, tune in.” 

It came as no surprise on August 7, 2016, when Shorte presented her very own stand-up comedy workshop titled A Lil' Laughing Color: An introduction to writing and performing life-affirming stand up comedy.  As the workshop instructor, Shorte set very clear goals, stating “In this workshop we will conquer our fear of standing alone on stage and attempting to make an audience laugh, learn some basic structure for writing stand up comedy, and practice these writing structures with solo, partner, and group exercises.”  Held at the DC Center for the LGBT Community, the event was unique in that it mainly focused on two very important words - Life Affirming.  When speaking of the show, Shorte stated “Life affirming comedy includes performances that bring us joy and affirm our lives and the lives of those we love.  Life affirming comedy is funny without making fun of people, especially marginalized people or experiences.”  For many years to come, Shorte’s unique brand of “conscious” comedy would continue to add a unique spin to her thriving career.  

Today Chelsea Shorte is considered one of the DC area’s most highly regarded queer comedians.  When reflecting on her success, she states “I am the last upgrade.”  Fans can still find her working the DC comedy circuit while also honing all of her other creative skills.  When her career was featured in Metro Weekly’s popular “QUEERY” series, the article concluded with Shorte being asked one simple question, “Why Washington?”  Shorte replied, “D.C. is a hard place for me to leave. It’s the first place where I got to experience myself as an out person.  And D.C. has such an incredible and supportive trans and queer community.  Feels like home.” 

Contact Chelsea Shorte today for your next event or special project! 

Contact: ChikaChelsComedy@gmail.com

DJ Honey is a thriving deejay primarily spinning Pop, Techno, Hip-Hop, House, R&B, Top 40, and Old School Classics.  The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, native is also extremely passionate about art, culture and everything related to music!  At age 17, she decided that being a deejay would become her professional career choice.  One event at a time, she began to build a loyal fan base.  Her unique skills and glowing personality began winning her rave reviews from fans and fellow deejays.  Soon she began traveling throughout the Mid-Atlantic showcasing her talent and continuing to build a strong following.  Before long, she had amassed a stellar reputation, particularly in the greater metropolitan areas of Philadelphia and Washington, DC. 

DJ Honey keeps crowds moving by consistently playing a wide variety of music genres.  She has been known to surprise fans who misjudge her youthfulness by developing a wide range of mixes and also tapping into classics from the 90's and beyond.  The creative artist considers her diversity to be a strong point and enjoys playing music genres that expand beyond the expected Hip-Hop and R&B, including branching all the way out to Techno and much more.  

Throughout her career, DJ Honey has always maintained a mutually beneficial relationship with some of the hottest venues in Philadelphia and Washington,DC.  She has steadily rocked the crowds at The Arts Garage, XO Lounge, Maximum Level, Studio 98, and most notably The Ask Rayceen Show, where she served as the resident deejay for the show's entire 2016 season.  She continues to be a frequent guest deejay for the show, as well as various associated Team Rayceen events.

DJ Honey’s keen sense of fashion has also allowed her to become a much admired Social Influencer. Images of DJ Honey have been featured in several marketing campaigns for various venues, designers, and much more.  As such, the fashion diva is always available for modeling assignments and associated work as time permits.  As a student of both the art of music and fashion, she remains dedicated to pleasing her audience at all times.  In fact, she believes that there is no event she cannot handle.  Indeed, DJ Honey plans to continue on her quest to impress crowds with her infectious smile, creative skills and shared love of music, for many years to come!  

Contact DJ Honey today for your next event or special project! 

Contact: DJHoney215@gmail.com

DJ MIM is an in-demand deejay servicing the metropolitan area of Washington, DC.  Her life-long love affair with music ultimately inspired her to pursue the craft as a professional career.  At age 8, she began experimenting with the art form, and eventually launched her own mobile entertainment service, providing outstanding music for private parties, weddings, fashion shows, cabarets, clubs, and much more.

DC born and raised, DJ MIM is a self-taught deejay whose style reflects a passion for blending and mixing various types of sounds.  Her early musical influences include Classic Motown, 70s Disco, Old-School Hip-Hop, and 80s Soft-Rock.  Throughout her career, she has managed to amass an extremely diverse music collection, allowing her to greatly expand her knowledge of music.  Her set lists can include, but are not limited to, Hip-Hop, Old School, R&B, Pop, House, Reggae, Soca, Cub, Trance, Top 40, Go-Go, and much more.  As a multi-genre deejay, she prides herself in taking her listeners on a creative musical journey and skillfully spinning eclectic mixes that are especially tailored for each and every crowd.  

DJ MIM has become one of the region’s most sought after deejays.  She is repeatedly commissioned to perform in various large venues throughout the DMV area and beyond.  Some of her most prominent venues includes The Fillmore and The M&T Bank Stadium Arena in Maryland, The Patriot Center in Virginia, The Tampa Amphitheatre in Florida, and The Howard Theatre and 930 Club in Washington, DC.  In addition to performances in various local clubs, she has also been selected to serve as the resident DJ for Lucky Strike DC.  Additionally, her long list of retail clients includes Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Sephora, Steve Madden, Victoria’s Secret, Sports Zone Elite, Microsoft, Verizon Wireless, Yelp and many others.  Her thriving career has even given her an opportunity to open for several Hip-Hop artists, including Young Jeezy and Yo Gotti.  

DJ MIM is not only a club/event/mixtape deejay, she is also a radio personality and host.  She regularly broadcasts internationally from BLIS FM - one of DC’s top-rated Internet radio stations.  Fans praise DJ MIM for her extraordinary skill for creating smooth transitions as well as her keen ability to move seamlessly from various genres throughout her entire set.  Each time she touches a turntable she is inspired to create her own signature soundtrack.  She also takes great pride in standing out in the crowd as a Female Deejay in a field where many still view her as a novelty.

Throughout her career she has been featured in local and national media publications and has served as a music writer for DC Weekly.  Blazing a trail in the new millennium like no other, fans can also perform a search in the market for “DJ MIM” and download her free Official DJ MIM Android App.  She also has several other significant career milestones in the new millennium.  Most notably, she had the honor of being selected as the Brand Ambassador for FOU-DRÉ Vodka, and also became a proud recipient of the Titan Arts Award for “DJ Of The Year” in both 2014 & 2015.  

Setting aside the praise and adulation for her career achievements, what truly makes DJ MIM stand out among her peers is her dedication to community causes.  Each month she allocates time to donate her professional services to support the local fashion scene, various music events, non-profit organizations, social causes, and local community festivities.  Most notably, she has repeatedly been commissioned to be the featured deejay for the annual Reel Affirmations International LGBTQ Film Festival as well as The Ask Rayceen Show.

DJ MIM looks forward to soaring to new heights as she continues on her quest to become YOUR favorite DJ! She continues to expand the scope and reach of her professional career with each new venture and firmly stands behind her professional motto “Taking All Events To The Next Musical Level.” 

Contact DJ MIM today for your next event or special project!

Contact: DJMimDC@gmail.com

DJ Suspence is more than just a man that spins CDs and Records, he’s a self-proclaimed bi-product of a music dream gone Right!  The Model, Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Music Producer, and Promoter has had the privilege to work in various forms of the entertainment industry.  Known by many of his fans and followers as “The Daily Mix Master,” he prides himself in creating a variety of creative mixes, as well as unique “fan favorites.”  Some of his most popular mixes include, Soulful House Saves The Day, What House Means to Me, and Soulful House For Everyone!  He is also notorious for creating Exclusive Artist Mixes that feature such artists as Michael & Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Jill Scott, Madonna, Beyoncé, Ce Ce Peniston, Prince, Whitney Houston, and many others.

The name DJ Suspence derives from a situation that occurred at his very first professional gig.  After he finished playing his set around 5am for his nephew’s graduation, the hyped up crowd of approximately one-thousand kids wanted to know the name of the deejay.  His nephew replied DJ Suspence.  Later, his nephew explained that he chose the name because he didn’t know what DJ Suspence was going to play next, because he kept playing music from a wide variety of genres.  In essence, the masterful DJ kept everyone in SUSPENSE.

Ever since that impressive debut, DJ Suspence has been determined to make a big impact on the music scene.  He consistently delights crowds with his unique “Soulful House Sound,” and fans have even gone so far as to dub his mixes as “Ear Candy!”  He branched out onto the Social Media front by hosting a two-hour Facebook Live show every Sunday at 4:00 pm EST.  The popular venture is now viewed by more than 100,000 users and his soulful mixes have been played over a million times.  

As DJ Suspence spins the music fans have grown to love, he dances, smiles, and interacts with both the music and his live audience via his intimate body language.  His faithful listeners routinely respond with live posts and various message during his free viewing sets, and even communicate with each other on a high energy, yet respectful level.  Through his creative craft, DJ Suspence has managed to tap into an enclave of serious music lovers.  The venture has even become a MOVEMENT, attracting both the mature and younger generations.  

Due to his international exposure, the DC metro area deejay currently has fans who enjoy his music from as far away as New York City, Los Angeles, and various locations in the United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, India, Sweden, and South Africa.  One fan proclaimed, “He makes you feel like you were right there with him, when his mixes were created.”  Yet, some fans may be surprised to discover that his talents are not limited to music.  As a model, his image has graced the pages of numerous magazines, including SWERV, Krave, Momentum Media, Live Free, and many others.  He has also had the honor of being named the “face” of Kitty Crawl Crown - a men’s jewelry line, as well as being chosen to serve as the brand endorser for Seacret Products - a skin and hair care line. 

Examining his music career on a deeper level, he once stated that “My life’s ambition whether I’m playing for ten people or ten thousand people is that I’m always trying to affect them or have some sort of impact through the music…"  He continues by stating, "I liken the experience to that of a phoenix rising from the flames in how they may be weighted down with challenges from the past or present situations but my music mixes allow them to remember a time in their lives where almost everyone and anything meant something special and from that spark they can be reborn in that moment.”

When presented with the question “What would you like to say to your present and future fan base?” DJ Suspence responded, “The first thing I’d like to say is thank you, I am just amazed by the love, support and camaraderie that accompanies this life I’m blessed with as a DJ and my heartfelt intentions in connecting with people who choose to listen.  I thank those that have been with me from the beginning and I want to welcome those that are just joining me on this musical journey.  You all have made my life even more special with your love and support.”

DJ Suspence considers himself to be a Music Connoisseur that always puts a little piece of his own personal soul into every mix.  When reflecting on his achievements, he stated “I am a witness that Hard Work, Determination, and Drive are the KEY components to achieving my goals, rather than just sitting [back] and wishing that they [all came] true!”  He sums up his career with this creative phase, “Sharing Music & Dreams with the World, One Needle, One Record, and One MP3 at a time!”  

GET READY WORLD, The Suspence is OVAH!!!! 

Contact DJ Suspence today for your next event or special project!

Contact: DJSuspence@comcast.net

Vjuan Allure is one of the most innovative and influential ballroom/vogue/house pioneers that all three art forms have ever known.  For over two decades, the phenomenal international ICON has enjoyed an impressive worldwide appeal and shows absolutely no signs of slowing down.  As a prolific Deejay, Dancer, Producer, Re-mixer, Promoter, Radio Personality, and Host, the brilliant craftsmen has been setting the standard as well as raising the bar for all who ultimately rise in his renowned shadow.  Point blank, fans and colleagues hold Allure in high regard for primarily one reason – his exceptional reputation for “ANNIHILATING THE DANCE FLOOR!” 

Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and raised in both Brooklyn and Atlantic City, the genesis of Allure’s extraordinary career is rather interesting.  His fascinating story is best told by him — “I was in New York, and my mother travelled all around the world, so I was left with my cousins who all went out to clubs.  I was a dancer, I was 11 and we focused on battle dancing.  I begged them and begged them to take me to a club, and one night they did, and it was house music and I loved it.  The biggest club they took me to was The Sound Factory in New York, and since I had been going to smaller clubs and battle dancing they never asked me for ID.  They would see me coming with the certain group that was known for dancing so they would let me in.   This was about 1989, the era of Junior Vasquez, when the Sound Factory was everything! This was just before [Madonna’s] “Vogue.”  When that came out we were already in the club doing it.  In fact we were there the night Madonna came to the club!”

Fans who assume Allure was primarily influenced by the New York music scene, would be incorrect. Although he continued to be a huge fan of the legendary Junior Vasquez, Allure’s main musical inspiration came via the sounds emanating from nightclubs in Washington, DC.  While attending the University of Maryland in the late 90s, Allure began exploring the DC nightlife, specifically a massive gay nightclub called Tracks.  When looking back on the experience he remembers “When I went there I heard DJ Sedrick, and the music he played was phenomenal!  I had never heard anything like it, never seen a reaction like it. If you could put crazy in a club, this would be it.”  Sedrick ultimately became his friend and mentor, and more importantly, a source of creative inspiration that would later help propel his career beyond the DC area.

While still in college, Allure joined a cultural exchange program which allowed him to study abroad, specifically in Naples, Italy.  He recalls “When I got to Italy it was magic, the total reverse of what was happening in the States was happening in Italy – where Hip Hop and R&B dominated airwaves in most major cities, House was dominant in Italy – and all over Europe for that matter…So I immediately fell in love with the place.  I was determined to get into Italian nightlife, which is almost impossible to do.  There are so many very good DJs in Italy who will never get a chance to play.  [Italian DJs] have a group and they call it a “society” and once they get into the group, they are in it forever.  Nobody gets in, it just doesn’t happen.  I was determined to get in, though, and it started from my dancing.”   

Fans who admire Allure for his musical mastery may not know that his first love was actually dancing.  Just as he had done in New York, he continued to indulge himself in his passion for dance, and by 1998 he began to garner a significant amount of attention.  "As soon as I stepped in the club people wanted to see what I was doing.”   Eventually, the Angels Of Love – a well-respected Italian DJ collective – began to take notice. "One night at a huge venue, me and a friend were dancing.  We had cleared a big circle around us, and [Angels Of Love] tapped us on the shoulder and said, 'Come up here, do it on the stage!” Not surprisingly, by the end of the night, Allure was a full fledged member of the crew!  

Dance had not been a casual hobby for Allure, it was his passion!  In fact, since the year 2000, he had been a proud “walking” member of the Legendary House of Allure, stating “I represent Allure – the Allure way.  I just don’t WALK a category, I PERFORM.”  In addition to his forays with dance, he continued to immerse himself into the local music scene.  He recalls “One thing I did when I got to Italy was collect every new CD of Hip-Hop that I could…I kept my ear to the street.  I had always collected music like I was a DJ, but never played, so I had a big music library.”  During this period he also began slowly developing his career as a deejay by producing his own music.  Some of his early productions and edits were sent back to DJ Sedrick in the States, where, unbeknownst to him, his tracks were causing a sensation on the ballroom scene.  As a result, the phenomenal career of Vjuan Allure was about to take flight!  

Recalling his pivotal breakthrough moment, Allure stated “From making these CDs, I was invited to play in Detroit at a ball, which I did, and I went all out…”  Despite being asked to play “very basic things,” such as the Diana Ross classic Love Hangover, Allure ultimately won the crowd by playing "The Ha Dance."  That initial event - at the Post Bar with Eric Christian Bizarre commenting on the microphone - became his very first gig as a deejay.  The trip to Detroit ultimately inspired him to create his signature “Allure Ha,” stating “…I went home, and I started to create the first remix. Something just drove me to it.”  Indeed, after returning home to Beltsville, Maryland, he remixed "The Ha Dance" – originally recorded by Masters at Work – and reworked the track especially for the ballroom community, and more specifically for the exciting new Vogue Femme style of dance.

Allure remembers, "I used the Ha for my first track because I knew that that's what they wanted to hear — because of vogue fem, everyone wanted the crash.  So I gave them the crash but I changed the beat — I actually made it more dramatic.  It was my own creation."  His masterful new mix spread like wildfire throughout the ballroom scene.  In fact, Allure had invented a brand new music genre which had helped to solidify his trademark sound.  He sums up the significant milestone by stating “This was the spark that spawned 1000’s of remixes.”  From that moment on, Allure had been lovingly embraced by the Ballroom community as a music innovator of the highest order. 

If that first gig got the “ball” rolling (pun intended), then his second gig sealed the deal!  He explains “I returned to Detroit 2 weeks later, different ball, same club, same scenario…I put “The Ha” on – everyone danced and I cut the turntable off so it wound down to a drag – then played my track “You want to vogue femm, you want The Ha, well I’ll give it to you, but not like YOU remember it,  Welcome to the Vjuan Allure Exclusive…..the Ha…..girls get ready…”  HISTORY was made that night!  He continues, ”The reaction was phenomenal after that, it spread like crazy, and when I returned home I continued making tracks…and haven’t stopped since.”  Allure ultimately established himself as the premier ballroom deejay, gaining props from fans and producers all over the globe. 

By 2004, Allure had received degrees from both the University Of Maryland (Mass Communications) and the University Of Naples (International Culture Relationships).  His combined education, talent, and sheer drive, helped to establish him as a force to be reckoned with.  He later became the CEO of Elite Beatz stating “When these words are heard it is an automatic signal that something hot is about to be turned loose…” Indeed, the words Elite Beatz have become the unmistakable calling card of one of the hottest deejays on the planet!  When reflecting on his musical imprint, Allure states “This is my way of giving back and extending the Ballroom scene.  My joy comes not from the props and praise that people give me, although I am very grateful, it comes from watching the reaction of people enjoying my music….and that’s when I smile most.”

Another career milestone came on October 15, 2016, when Allure had the honor to serve as the deejay for the Voguing Masquerade Ball held at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art.  The groundbreaking event was preceded by a panel discussion on “Voguing and Ballroom Culture”.  The opportunity allowed Allure to introduce his music to a all new audience.  Reflecting on the moment he stated “For the Smithsonian to recognize Ballroom and invite us to participate in the event speaks volumes and I am grateful for this opportunity…”

Currently, you can find the renowned Icon travelling the globe and mesmerizing a trail of happy listeners along with way.  From foreign locals in Aruba, Jamaica, Canada, Germany, England, France, Spain, Belgium, Australia, Japan, The Netherlands and his beloved Italy — to domestic hot spots in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, Atlanta, Baltimore, and DC, Allure is repeatedly invited to perform in some of the world’s best venues.  When he’s not navigating his intense international touring schedule you can often find him in Maryland.  Since 2012, Allure has served as the resident deejay for Ultra Nate’s monthly "DEEP SUGAR" parties at the Paradox in Baltimore, Maryland.  

You can also find Allure hosting several radio shows, including The Tangenziale-Autostrade Remix, which broadcasts on Tuesdays, 10am-2pm (EST) on Pre-Party Radio.  If that’s not enough, he also occasionally hosts Trend Parade and Go-Go Time on Radio Ibiza 97.3.  Most notably, Allure is a constant fixture at New York’s Latex Ball — The annual function that many consider to be the most elite affair within the Ballroom Community.  And if you’re in Europe, you just might catch him in his beloved second home, Italy.  He fondly recalls “...Naples, Italy is so close to my heart.  I lived there and have so many friends and so much love from that place – and of course they know how to party!”

One thing is certain, Allure continues to remain passionate about his two favorite art forms — Dance & Music. He sums up his career with both, stating "One of the things that sets me apart from every other DJ who makes music is that I'm the only one who walks.  I vogue.  I walk Old Way, that's my category.  It's natural for me, and the energy for me to dance, period, has to be high.  So my tracks come out that way, no matter what kind of tracks I'm giving you—vogue fem, face tracks, Old Way songs, legends, statements, and stars songs. The energy is always high, high, high."

Without a doubt, fans can always count on Allure to keep the music coming!  From his legendary Vjuan Allure Exclusives, to various remakes, remixes, and edits, Allure is the epitome of his craft.  He is consistently one of the most sought after ballroom deejays, and remains a leading figure on the House Music circuit.  The influential ICON is extremely grateful for his extraordinary career, and declares “I’ve been granted a gift and I don’t take it lightly.  I believe it’s my destiny to do what I’m doing.”

Contact Vjuan Allure today for your next event or special project! 

Contact: VjuanAllure@yahoo.com