As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we sat down with up-and-coming creative DJ Doobie to speak on her experience as Black women DJ coming up on the DC party scene.

Alani Hodge, professionally known as DJ Doobie, is a Howard University student from Stockton, California. She has made a name for herself through DJing at school events and eventually moving her way up to getting booked for parties and shows across the DC creative scene.

“Ever since I was a tiny child, I always was drawn to music and gear. I’ve always thought it looked cool, whether it be soundboards, mixers, or a set of drums. I always wanted to play with it.”

Initially interested in singing and rapping, Doobie’s connection with music stems from her early childhood. After being discouraged from pursuing music by her family due to her not-so-melodic singing voice, she continued to foster a deep passion for it. This redirected her to a different path of greatness: DJing and audio production.

From casually DJing shows every couple of months to getting booked consistently for shows and events all over DC, DJing a Howard springtime “darty” (day party) back in 2022 was the catalyst for her career. Often praised for her eccentric sound and style, her uniqueness and individuality are what set her apart.

DJ Doobie’s genre-bending sound is brutal to put into a box. She draws inspiration from “weird” and unconventional styles of music, Grand Theft Auto 5 and Blonded Radio station being the main influences of her mixing. She uses input from friends and the community to stay updated with the latest music trends. “Basically, if the music has the same energy as Adult Swim at 2 in the morning, I’m vibing to it,” said DJ Doobie.

“When women in any creative endeavor start to see success, we should invest our time into other female DJs and try to uplift them as well,” said DJ Doobie.

As a queer Black women DJ, Doobie actively strives to advocate for women within the very male-dominated music industry. Often putting black female DJs as her first point of contact, she recognizes the importance of community and actively supports those around her.

She looks up to other influential female DJs such as DJ Magic, founder of the infamous “Femme Fatale” parties. Consistently drawing large crowds from across the DMV, these parties foster a space for queer women and people to connect through music and dance, frequently featuring other Black women DJs from Howard brought up by DJ Magic herself.

“If we want to break down the barriers, the best way to do it is to invest in ourselves and people that look like us,” said DJ Doobie.

Check out DJ Doobie on her Instagram @whosdoobie.