City: New Orleans
Venue currently spinning: Saints Champion Square, Meril’s NOLA and PJ Morton tour
Style/genre: Show/open format DJ
Tag Line: For the Righteous & Ratchet
Social media handle: DJArieSpins for all social media platforms
New Orleans native DJ Arie Spins has graced the stage with Sevyn Streeter, Kelly Price, Ledisi and PJ Morton. She is a total vibe as she takes the audience on a journey. Arie Spins, a vocalist and pianist, earned her bachelor’s from the University of New Orleans and is currently a music educator for high school students.
How did you come up with your DJ name?
I was teaching high school here in New Orleans. During one of my lectures about branding and entrepreneurship, one of my students pointed out that I hadn’t given myself an official DJ name yet, so as a class, they took my nickname Arie, which is short for Ariel, and voted to add Spins to the end of it. Shout-out to all of my students.
When did you start deejaying?
I started deejaying in 2016 during Mardi Gras season for a fundraiser for St. Katharine Drexel Preparatory High School in New Orleans. A parent was volunteering his services, trying to grill and DJ simultaneously, so I asked him if I could assist in deejaying. I quickly grasped the equipment, and my interest grew from there. I became serious and focused during COVID-19.
What or who were your early passions and influences?
I was raised in the church. So, many of my passions were nurtured there and in the schools I attended. I sing, play the piano, and conduct [and] direct choirs. I have a bachelor’s degree in music with a concentration in vocal music education. Musically, my inspirations are such a wide range, from the Clark Sisters, Jazmine Sullivan, and Anita Baker to Beyoncé.
List three DJs you admire who influenced the DJ culture. Why those three?
DJ Kid Capri, DJ Spinderella, and DJ D-Nice. DJ Kid Capri is my favorite DJ of all time. His showmanship is unmatched in every arena he touches. He’s the bar for me. DJ Spinderella, of course, for paving the way for female DJs. I have to honor her. DJ D, thanks for pushing our culture forward with his streaming ingenuity during the pandemic. He inspired all of us and pushed our creativity forward when it was so easy to be discouraged.
Name one musical experience that changed your life.
Touring with PJ Morton during his 2022 Watch the Sun Tour changed my life completely. I could glean from his musicianship and professionalism as an artist while also building my following from the many stages I was allowed to mount as his opening act. I met so many amazing artists I never thought I’d meet. Meeting Stevie Wonder was surreal.
