5 Ways American Hip Hop Continues To Help Shape the EDM Culture
October 3, 2025
October 3, 2025
The Hidden Heroes of EDM: Arizona Promoters, Visual Artists, & Stage Designers
When the lights go down and you’re starting to experience your favorite set of the night, you might be surprised who’s behind the decks. From sports stars to screen icons, a growing wave of celebrities are trading red carpets for festival stages, proving that passion for dance music transcends fame. Here are 15 unexpected names who are spinning their way into EDM culture, and doing it with style and purpose.
1. Tinashe
Multi-talented singer, dancer, and performer Tinashe has been one of the most viral artist of the past year with her hit song “No Broke Boys” with Disco Lines, and you can now add festival DJ to her resume. Her recent debut Boiler Room set in Brooklyn drew a massive crowd of over 5,000 fans, proving her magnetic pull extends far beyond the pop world.
2. Nik Vansteenberghe
Alias: Freako Nico
Love island finalist and now up and coming bass artist Freako Nico is making waves across the dubstep and bass scene. In less than a year, he’s shared the stage with artists like Of The Trees and Sidequest, released “Mamacita” with Riot Ten, and performed his debut set at Escape Halloween 2025. Also known for recently smashing Sullivan King’s guitar onstage, Freako Nico’s raw energy and rising reputation have made him one of the most talked-about new DJs in bass music.
3. T-Pain
In my opinion this has to be probably one of the most surprising, by far. The Grammy-winning artist who revolutionized pop and hip-hop with Auto-Tune is now turning heads in bass music. T-Pain shocked fans when he was announced to DJ at Lost Lands 2025. He performed a fully original set of tracks produced live on his Twitch streams. His energy, crowd control, and genuine passion for EDM earned him massive respect from festival-goers and producers alike. “I just want to hear how they sound on big-ass speakers at Lost Lands, baby!” he shouted mid-set at the Crater Stage, and the crowd loved every second.
4. Brody Jenner
Alias: BROSA
Reality TV star Brody Jenner really went all in and found his rhythm behind the decks as 1/2 of BROSA, a new tech house project that recently debuted at Electric Forest 2025. Known for his smooth vibes and laid-back California sound, the BROSA project brings warm beach energy to every set. Brody is proving he’s not just another celebrity DJ, but one who genuinely loves the craft and belongs.
5. Joe Jonas
Alias: Cup of Joe
Pop icon Joe Jonas occasionally swaps the mic for the mixer, performing at clubs like Hyde Bellagio in Las Vegas. His DJ sets blend disco, funk, and pop — reflecting his diverse influences. In a recent interview with Sirius, he spoke to this and Jonas also described DJing as “a way to give fans a peek into his personal taste,” and the result is always a vibrant, nostalgia-fueled dance party.
6. Rebecca Black
From viral fame to real underground acclaim, Rebecca Black has reinvented herself as a DJ and we’re here for it. Her debut Boiler Room set in 2024 showcased a fearless approach to electronic music, her confidence and taste in music were at an all time high. More than a comeback, it’s a full-blown reintroduction to an icon who’s carved out her place in the EDM scene.
7. Lil Jon
You may already know that The King of Crunk on DJ Snake’s famous Turn Down for What, but did you know Lil Jon is a veteran DJ? A familiar of the Las Vegas nightlife circuit, holding residencies at Hakkasan Nightclub (MGM Grand) and Jewel Nightclub (Aria Resort & Casino). With previous residencies at Wynn/Encore and a Las Vegas Resident DJ of the Year title, his sets combine hip-hop, EDM, and party anthems in a way that only Lil Jon can deliver.
8. Joleon Lescott
Former Premier League footballer Joleon Lescott traded the pitch for the decks, debuting at the Reading Festival’s Jägermeister Stage. His ear for house grooves and polished selections have made him a surprising favorite among festival goers. The transition from sports to sound may be unexpected, but Lescott’s performance proves he’s in it for the right reasons.
9. Snoop Dogg
When Snoop Dogg steps into his alter ego DJ Snoopadelic, he plays sets filled with hip-hop, R&B, and classic remixes. His shows are effortlessly cool, bridging old-school style with modern dance energy. With residencies in Las Vegas and constant international bookings, DJ Snoopadelic’s grooves prove the Doggfather can master any stage.
10. Elijah Wood
Alias: Wooden Wisdom
Actor Elijah Wood channels his creativity into Wooden Wisdom, a vinyl DJ duo with Zach Cowie. Their sets explore global funk, disco, and rare grooves, captivating audiences with deep cuts and seamless flow. Having opened for them in Phoenix earlier this year, I can confirm — their vibe is nothing short of infectious.
11. Erykah Badu
Alias: DJ Lo Down Loretta Brown
Under her DJ persona Lo Down Loretta Brown, Erykah Badu delivers deeply spiritual and genre-defying sets. First appearing in 2011, she’s since performed at major events including SXSW London 2025. Her cosmic selections weave R&B, funk, and electronic textures into transcendent journeys that embody her signature soul.
12. Tyreek Hill
Alias: Cheetah
NFL superstar Tyreek Hill is trading touchdowns for turntables. Performing under the name Cheetah, the Miami Dolphins wide receiver has teased fans with his foray into DJing, promising, “Coming to play house music near you.” His announcement sparked major buzz across sports and EDM media, hinting at an exciting new chapter where the NFL meets nightlife.
13. Pauly D
Alias: DJ Pauly D
The Jersey Shore legend DJ Pauly D has built a legitimate career behind the decks, holding residencies at Marquee Las Vegas and Harrah’s Atlantic City. His high-energy sets mix top 40 hits, hip-hop, and EDM, creating an atmosphere that’s pure party from start to finish. Pauly D’s charisma and fan connection have made him one of America’s most recognizable DJs, most recently spotted in Arizona at Clubhouse at Maya.
14. Idris Elba
Idris Elba might be known for his roles on screen, but his impact in house and techno runs deeper than some might imagined. His recent 2025 run included a B2B with Kaskade at Coachella, performances at ADE Amsterdam and Defected Bristol, and a set at Lightning in a Bottle. His label Sound International continues to push soulful, groove-driven house, cementing Elba as one of EDM’s most respected celebrity DJs.
15. Anderson .Paak (DJ Pee .Wee):
Grammy-winning superstar Anderson .Paak is truly a one-man musical carnival. In addition to his acclaimed solo career and his chart-topping project Silk Sonic with Bruno Mars, .Paak introduced a new persona to the dance world: DJ Pee .Wee. Under this alter ego, he delivers vibrant, all-vinyl sets that bounce between tech house heaters, nostalgic R&B, timeless classics, and curveballs as eclectic as TLC and Radiohead. DJ Pee .Wee has taken his talents behind the decks everywhere from the Met Gala to F1 Las Vegas, Friendship, and Coachella proving that his versatility behind the decks is just as impressive as his presence on the mic.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Shaquille O’Neal
Alias: DJ DIESEL
Now, if you have been living under a rock, you might not have known that NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, is one of the biggest EDM DJs on the planet. Known on stage as DJ DIESEL, he has turned his love for bass music and genre bending into a full-blown second career. A festival headliner with performances at EDC Las Vegas, Lost Lands, and his own Bass All-Stars Tour, DIESEL’s sets are massive, aggressive, and full of life, just like the man himself. His love for the underground culture and connection with fans have made him one of EDM’s most beloved celebrity acts.
Paris Hilton
Entrepreneur, fashion icon, and now seasoned DJ, Paris Hilton is one of the most successful celebrity DJs on the planet, and she’s the real deal. From headlining Amnesia Ibiza to touring worldwide, her sets combine pop energy with big room EDM euphoria. More than a socialite, Hilton has built a global DJ brand that continues to evolve and proving she’s here to stay.
CLOSING
From stadiums to studios, these celebrities have proven that EDM’s reach knows no boundaries. Whether they’re spinning tech house, trap, or dubstep, one thing’s clear — the love for dance music is universal and it’s taking over the world.
Who surprised you the most?
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