It's taken years for me to fully understand the challenges of being an open format DJ. When I first started spinning, I was excited to learn how to mix different genres—to understand them separately in order to understand how to merge them in a way audiences can understand. I still love that I'm so expansive that the music I play reflects that. I mean, as DJ Dyaspara (pronounced diaspora) how could you put me in a box? But over time I learned that some promoters understand their brands more...

We really did bring the heat to The Wild Hare! I'm still coming off of the high that is AMAPRESSURE and want to say thank you so much to everyone who came out, danced all night, and spread the word! As an open format DJ, it's so important to understand playing to crowds. Truthfully, since The Piano' Party (hosted by Dott Daley) ended, I've been longing to have a place to play true Amapiano; tunes right from South Africa—not edits, not remixes, and not mashups. To play recently released tracks...

Imagine! After weeks and weeks of back and forth weather we are finally seeing consistently warm days. Chicagoans are blasting Lil M.U. down Lake Shore Drive, Mario's Italian Lemonade is finally open for the summer and everyone is using the nice weather as an excuse to barbecue for no reason. Just three of a thousand reasons why I love Chicago! This Juneteenth I'll be joining some of the best DJs in the city at Let's Jam!, a community barbecue at the lake. I can't wait to have a Blackity...