We are in Music City, a place where music pulses through every street corner, from packed Broadway honky-tonks to sold-out concerts. As college students, our nights out are often soundtracked by the music that fills the room, whether we’re at a friend’s pregame or on a packed dance floor.
For many, heading off campus means embracing the Broadway scene, where cover bands belt out country classics and pop anthems. While there’s a charm to these staples, hearing the same songs night after night can leave some craving something different. Nashville has long been defined by country music, but a new wave of DJs are shifting that narrative, carving out space for a more global sound. Latin beats, Afro-house rhythms and Arabic pop, amongst many others, are making their mark, proving that Music City isn’t just a one-genre town.
We sat down with three DJs who have carved their own paths in music yet are united by a common goal: making Nashville a more inclusive, sonically diverse city.
It’s Giving Global: Dame Luz and Dumb Groove
Before landing in Nashville, Noelia Tejada and Cody Infante — known by their DJ names Dame Luz and Dumb Groove — spent years immersed in music scenes across the country.
Their paths may have started in different places — Infante growing up in a Puerto Rican-Colombian household in Palm Beach, Florida, and Tejada being raised in the South Bronx — but both were shaped by a rich blend of musical influences that now drive their work as DJs.
“I come from a very musical family,” Infante said. “I’m Puerto Rican and Colombian, so I was influenced by a lot of different sounds from the global South. My family is also from New York, so I had a lot of influences from the North, the Nuyorican vibes, and all that.”
Tejada’s story is different but features similar sentiments.
“My family is from the Dominican Republic, so I was always around a myriad of different music influences,” Tejada said. “That translates into how I play music.”
Both had already made names for themselves in other cities before moving to Nashville. Infante, who first began DJing in Florida before spending time in cities like New York and Atlanta, had cultivated a deep understanding of how music could bring different communities together. Tejada, whose DJ career took off in Philadelphia, had carved out a space for herself as a curator of genre-blending sets that spanned everything from dembow to house music. But when they arrived in Nashville, they felt something was missing.
“We started linking up and saw the lack of global music being represented,” Infante said. “Nashville has an electronic scene, and hip-hop has been growing, but there weren’t many spaces where you could hear reggaeton, Afro-house or baile funk. We knew there was an audience for it, but the events just weren’t there.”
From there, It’s Giving Global was born — a music collective and “party brand” dedicated to showcasing a variety of international sounds. With a focus on Latin, Afro-house, reggaeton and other global genres, It’s Giving Global creates space for Nashville’s diverse communities to hear and celebrate the music they grew up with.
“There are so many Puerto Ricans and Dominicans in Nashville who have told us they’ve never experienced anything like our events here,” Infante said. “That’s why we do it. We’re providing a space that hasn’t existed before.”
Building It’s Giving Global was not just about curating a sound. Blending and mixing songs is simply the first step of a long road to making a successful DJ brand. One vital part of the job that many struggle with is the need for networking. Like many other industries, DJing is about who you know.
“Many artists are more introspective people. Not all of them are super outgoing, and not all want to be the face of anything,” Infante said. “Not all of them want to be super business-oriented, and unfortunately, especially now in 2025, we have to wear like ten hats.”
When Infante and Tejada first arrived in Nashville, they had to start from scratch, establishing themselves in a completely new scene. They had the sound, they just needed the platform.
To do this, Infante stressed the importance of making personal connections. Breaking into a DJ scene requires intentional research and outreach. Social media is becoming increasingly prevalent in the industry, but he finds face-to-face interactions are the best way to foster a strong and long-lasting network. Additionally, relationships with other DJs are helpful not only in finding gigs but integrating into the overall music community.
This hustle doesn’t end when a DJ starts getting bookings.
“Reading the room never stops,” Infante said. “You could see the same DJ at three different events, and they won’t sound the same. That’s the skill — knowing how to adapt while keeping your own sound.”
But breaking into the industry comes with more than just business hurdles. Tejada shed light on another challenge many DJs face.
“DJing is still a boys’ club. It’s not as marketable for women in the way the patriarchy favors,” Tejada said. “So I’ve created alliances with other femme DJs and worked to make space for other women in the scene.”
Infante and Tejada shared some final words of wisdom for new DJs working to build their brands.
“Explore, experiment and educate yourself,” Infante said.
“Respect the craft. Learn the history. Know who came before you” Tejada added.
DJing is about more than just playing music. The care and intention that is put into each set goes beyond viral social media clips or Broadway bar hopping. And as long as there’s a dance floor to fill, Dame Luz and Dumb Groove will keep pushing the boundaries of what Nashville’s music scene can be.
Dynamic Excitement: DJ Neer
What do you call a DJ who’s also an engineer? DJ Neer — also known as Thomas Boutros — has spent over 14 years DJing in Nashville. But before committing full-time to the entertainment business, he spent a decade working as an engineer. A graduate of Tennessee Technological University, he studied civil and environmental engineering, balancing classes, a budding career and his passion for music as a side hustle.
“When it’s school time, it’s school time. Any downtime, invest it in learning the music, learning the beat,” Boutros said.
It was in college that he and a friend turned that passion into something more. From their garage, they began Dynamic Entertainment, fusing their love of music with a vision of creating events that people would never forget.
What began as college parties, birthday celebrations and baby showers eventually expanded to larger events. Over the years, Boutros established his career performing at cultural weddings, bringing families and communities together with music.
“The celebration of two families uniting, two souls coming together in love, just drew me in more and more… Receiving that hug, hearing ‘You made the night different’— it’s incredibly rewarding and makes me feel accomplished,” Boutros said.
In addition to DJing, he also helps couples plan their special day by connecting them with various vendors.
“I’m always there to connect couples, even if I’m not getting booked,” Boutros said.
His industry experience and network allow him to recommend trusted professionals, ensuring couples have the best team to bring their vision to life.
However, with DJing, there comes unique challenges. Since weddings typically take place on weekends, most of his weekends are booked, making it harder to travel and plan around his bookings. Additionally, being booked nearly all year round can be exhausting.
In addition to the fast-paced nature of his work, he often has to think on his feet and resolve unexpected challenges, from managing family tensions to handling power shortages at venues. These challenges have taught him the importance of adaptability and preparation, ensuring that no matter the situation, the event runs smoothly.
“I always advise any kind of DJ to always have a backup plan,” Boutros said.
To be prepared for any situation, he brings backup gear and figures out logistics beforehand.
Many changes have occurred since he was first introduced to the industry. Over the years, the music industry has evolved, making the DJ scene more intricate and immersive than ever. What was once just about the music has expanded into an immersive experience, and his company has grown alongside these advancements, offering a variety of services beyond DJing.
“It’s not just DJing. We provide everything from lighting rentals and photo booths to special effects,” Boutros said.
These services contribute more to the couple’s experience with different backdrops for the photo booth, 360-degree spinning videos and sparklers, making it truly unforgettable.
When asked what advice he would give to others, he said, “If you are passionate about something, you just put in energy and effort, and over time, you will be able to accomplish it. Consistency,” Boutros said.
As these DJs shared their journeys, a bigger picture came into focus: Nashville’s sound is evolving, and so is its sense of community. Whether on a dance floor or at a wedding altar, music is a universal connector. So the next time you’re out, take a moment to appreciate the DJ — not just for the music, but for the space they create.
