Creator Chats: DJ NINE11

The Recess Bell is many things, but first and foremost: we are a community full of creatives that takes any & every opportunity to celebrate creatives.

Creator Chats, our interview series for creatives, focuses today on New York-based disc jockey, DJ NINE11.

Say hi to miss NINE11!

DJ NINE11, named after her birth date, was a joy to sit down and talk to! She is a very well-portfolio'd high-energy DJ who specializes in hip-hop, Caribbean, club sounds, and club & festival music.

I don't know about you, but when I think about "cool" occupations to have, does it really get better than being a DJ? That's up for debate, but there's no doubt that NINE11 approaches her craft with a certain type of grace, enthusiasm and effervescence.

I had the pleasure of conducting three separate interviews with Ms. NINE11 -- one short-form video interview, one long-form video interview, and a more traditional, sit-down Q&A chat, which you can read below. Let's learn more about DJ NINE11!

Q: So today, we’re re-introducing you to The Recess Bell family, as you’ve done some work with TRB in the past; please tell us about yourself and what you’ve been up to of late before we get underway!

NINE11: Sure! I’m DJ Nine11, a full-time DJ, event curator, and community-centered creative based in New York. My work lives at the intersection of culture, connection, and sound. Lately, I’ve been pouring into two sides of my world: performance and education.

On the performance side, I’ve closed out my summer season with some amazing gigs, including a high-energy Afrobeat/Amapiano set with AfroWaves and curating vibes for community events like Brooklyn Creators Market.

On the education side, I recently taught a blending + energy control workshop for Building Beats, a summer DJ camp, and I’m planning more exciting experiences going into fall. I also just wrapped a photoshoot I sponsored for young DJs in the program building beats to help build their EPKs and portfolios.

Right now, I’m taking time to rest, recharge, and build behind the scenes, but still finding ways to stay in the scene and uplift the culture.

Q: The question that I start every one of my subjects off with: Think back to the younger version of yourself. What if that younger version of yourself met the present-day version? Which words would be exchanged? What would the prevailing emotions be?

NINE11: Honestly, this question touches deep, because music has been in my bones since I was two. There’s literally a photo of me at that age… singing into a mic, surrounded by cameras, my mom smiling in the background. I’d perform for my grandpa using his cane as a microphone, write songs in my room, sing at the top of my lungs around the house… and nobody ever told me to quiet down. My family always made space for my voice, even when it wasn’t fully formed yet.

My younger self would be in awe… but not surprised. She’d look at me with those wide eyes, but she’d recognize me too. She’d feel my calm, my creativity, my structure. She’d want to create with me, learn from me, be near me. And she’d tell me:

"You never stopped believing in us."

And I'd tell her:

"Thank you for dreaming so boldly."

So the prevailing emotion? Definitely deep gratitude and peace. Because even with all the detours, I’ve stayed close to the music. It’s always been there. Always been me.

Q: In the spirit of nostalgia, what did the adolescent version of yourself do/watch/play for comfort or fun? What do you do for comfort or fun now?

NINE11: The adolescent me found comfort in the world of animation… I was glued to Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Adult Swim… anything with vibrant colors, storytelling and characters.

I also sang constantly, made up songs, played pretend, and loved meeting new people at the park or just talking to folks. That was my joy... music, imagination, connection.

And honestly? Not much has changed. I still get lost in films, music, animation, and deep convos with my people. I go to parties, I create, I network, I storytell. I’m just a grown-up version of that same curious, expressive, playful girl. Only now, I’ve turned my passions into my profession. Full circle, for real.

Q: What is it about the craft of being a DJ that makes it such a fulfilling and satisfying field for you?

NINE11: For me, it’s seeing people let go. That moment when somebody’s body finally softens, they stop thinking, and just start moving. When a track hits and they look at me like,

“How did you know I needed this?”

That’s everything to me.

It’s wild how a song I might hear all the time can still hit someone’s spirit like a lightning bolt. That exchange, where something ordinary to me becomes extraordinary for them… that’s what makes DJing fulfilling and satisfying. I’ve had people come up and say,

"I had the worst headache before this, but now it’s gone."

Music does that. It literally shifts energy.

So what’s fulfilling to me? It’s being a vessel for joy, release, memory, and healing.

DJ NINE11's 2024 set at The Lot Radio!

Q: What about networking as a DJ? Do you find networking easy to do? If so, why do you think that is, and has it always been that way for you?

NINE11: Yes, I find networking easy… when I’m in flow. When I lead with genuine connection instead of trying to impress or pitch myself, it feels natural. I think of networking as building relationships, not transactions. I meet people as people, not titles... and that’s where the real magic happens.

That being said, I’ve definitely had moments where it didn’t feel easy. Times when I was out of alignment, trying to “perform” or lead with what I do instead of who I am. But I catch that quickly now. I check myself, come back to center, and remind myself: just be present. Be grounded. Connect with the human in front of you.. not the opportunity.

And when I do that, the connections I make are real, long-lasting, and often open doors I never expected.

Q: What would you say to someone that doesn’t feel the most at ease when attempting to network and branch out?

NINE11: I’d say start by shifting the word networking into something softer, like "making connection" or "meeting new people."

So often, we think we have to perform or sell ourselves, but really… the deepest, most aligned connections I’ve made came from just being myself. Start with small, organic conversations.

Ask someone what brought them to the event. Compliment something that genuinely stood out to you. Let curiosity guide you instead of pressure. The people who are meant to connect with you will feel your energy and meet you there.

Q: If networking doesn’t come easy to you all the time, what can make it difficult?

NINE11: Honestly, when I’m not grounded or when I start feeling like I have to prove something… that’s when it feels heavy and transactional.

Also, environments that don’t feel safe or inclusive can make it hard to be open. It’s not always you… sometimes the space just isn’t right.

But I’ve learned to trust my energy. If it doesn’t flow, I don’t force it. Connection should feel mutual, not one-sided. If it doesn’t feel aligned, it’s okay to opt out and wait for a moment that does.

Q: What has been the highlight of your journey as a disc jockey thus far if you had to choose one? Or multiple?

NINE11: I’d have to say throwing my first event… my New Year’s Eve party going into 2025.

That night was pivotal for me. It was the first time I wasn’t just the DJ or the talent… I was the organizer, the leader, the visionary behind the whole experience.

It was a sold-out night, my first event ever, and I had to wear so many hats: delegate, plan, problem-solve, guide a temporary team, and still show up as an artist. It wasn’t easy …it was actually bittersweet in a lot of ways... but it proved to me that I could expand beyond the booth. That I could build something from scratch and bring it to life.

It showed me that anything is possible with commitment. And that I can create my own culture.

Q: Is there a specific challenge that you have in mind that you’d like to conquer, either in the short-term or long-term? Do you have a sort of “ultimate goal” that you're shooting toward?

NINE11: I think my ultimate goal is honestly… to live. To live life fully. To enjoy it. Not just to be defined by what I do... but

by who I am and how I show up in the world. I want to be present in my joy, in my relationships, in my peace.

Yes, I love what I do. I’ll always create, share, build, and connect. But I also want a beautiful, balanced life; with love, family, travel, a home, & my people. And the privilege to earn while honoring my rhythm. Shift gears when needed. Learning to move out of less pressure and with more intention.

The challenge I’m focused on is giving myself permission to do all of that without guilt. To rest. To pause. To evolve. And to know that that’s part of the path too, not a detour.

Q: What does being a Creative mean to you? What feelings & emotions do you hope your work inspires in others?

NINE11: Being a Creative to me means being a vessel; a translator of emotion, energy, memory, and vision. It means having the courage to tap into what’s unseen and give it shape. It’s a responsibility and a gift to turn feeling into form, sound & experience.

Creativity is how I make sense of the world. It’s how I offer healing, joy, reflection, rebellion, nostalgia. My work is

about resonance. I want people to feel seen, celebrated, moved. I want them to release... to dance, cry, remember & dream.

Whether I’m DJing, curating an event, or creating in general -- I hope people walk away feeling restored… like they were held in something sacred, even if they don’t have the words for it.

Ultimately, I hope my work reminds people of their own aliveness. Of their right to take up space and feel every part of it.

Thank you for reading! Enjoy DJ NINE11's video responses in the YouTube video below:

And learn more about the Creator Chats project here!