DJ Simmy on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with DJ Simmy and have shared our conversation below.

Hi DJ, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Anytime I go out of town to chill! Especially somewhere with a beach. I loveeee going to the beach.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m DJ Simmy (though soon I’d love to go simply by Simmy), a DJ and producer born and raised in Chicago. I’ve been curating vibes for about 8 years, and in that time I’ve built a name playing the events and sets that matter most to me. From major festivals like Summer Smash and city staples like Taste of Chicago, to collaborations with brands like Jordan and Coach, I’ve always brought my own sound and style to any DJ moment. One of my proudest moments this year has been stepping into the role of resident DJ for the Chicago Sky WNBA team.

I’ve also produced for underground artists in Chicago and I’m currently working in sync licensing, placing music in TV shows.

But for me, it’s never just about the music. I’m passionate about the full experience. I weave Vaporwave and cyberpunk aesthetics into my sets, visuals, and branding to create something distinct. Lately, I’ve also been exploring fashion as another layer of self-expression, finding ways to merge style and sound.

I’ve been building for years, but right now feels different — like every piece of my creativity is lining up exactly where it’s supposed to be.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memories of feeling powerful go back to middle school and high school. I was always stepping into lead roles, whether in plays, projects, or creative spaces.

I always had the confidence to get in front of people, show my creativity, and take risks. That sense of having creative control at a young age made me realize my power, and people around me recognized it early too.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Honestly, I almost give up everyday! Sometimes chasing what you want isn’t’ easy and can feel like a job instead of a craft. But I love the thrill and not knowing what’s coming next for my career.

The journey always outdoes itself! I also genuinely love music and my ability to share it, so giving up isn’t an option for me.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
So I don’t want to consider it necessarily a lie, but I do believe that the industry tries to push the “now” narrative. We have to do everything now, quick, overnight. People will literally push you until your special project is completed.

But the truth is, I’ve learned a lot this year when it comes to growing your craft. It’s okay to take breaks and it’s also okay to take as long as you need. It’s really quality over everything!

I’ve watching the game change over the last 8 years and the creatives that take their time (and occasional breaks) always have the most influence and the best material!

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Stressing over things I cannot control. I’m learning to let things naturally flow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wewantsimmy.com
• Instagram: @djsimmy_
• Twitter: @djsimmy_
• Youtube: wewantsimmy
• Soundcloud: wewantsimmy
• Other: TikTok – @djsimmy_

Image Credits
The images should be labeled!

Summer Smash 2024
K Subi x Lyrical Lemonade Party 2024
Chicago Sky Summer Game 2025
Foot Locker Event for WNBA All Star Weekend 2025
Redbull”s DJ Competition Event 2024
Nicki Minaj Pre Party at the United Center 2024