How DJ SLID3 Found Her Voice Through We Make Noise: Rising with Culture, Community, and Creative Empowerment

Meet SLID3, a New York-based DJ from the NYC area known for her pumping mixes that turn up the energy wherever she lands—even a guitar center or two.

As a proud Dominican woman and Lower East Side native, she doesn’t fail to channel her passion for her community and culture into a memorable pulse that unites her neighborhood on the dance floor.

From Girls Club Member to Music Creator: How We Make Noise Sparked Her Path

But before she became the talented DJ she is today, SLID3 started as a member of the Lower East Side Girls Club, taking a beatmaking class that would later evolve to become We Make Noise alongside the leadership of Executive Director and Founder Erin Barra. Through this program, she was introduced to music software and discovered her passion for making beats and pursuing a career in the music industry. This impactful opportunity would go on to lead SLID3 down a journey of music, culture, and community as she emerged as a DJ from her music production roots.

We sat down with SLID3 to hear her story about how her experience with We Make Noise made a lasting impact on her artistry and career as a musician.

Inside the Interview: SLID3 Reflects on Her Artistry and Evolution

As a professional DJ, SLID3 goes on to discuss the motivations behind her work and how it appears in her current artistry.

What drew you to consider a career as a DJ?

What really pulled me toward DJing was the way music can control the whole energy of a room. I’ve always been someone who feels music deeply, like it moves through me. DJing became the perfect way for me to translate that feeling and share it with everyone in front of me. It’s more than playing songs — it’s creating moments, shifting moods, and letting people feel what I feel. Once I realized I could do that, it just made sense. It felt like home.

Who are your biggest artist influences?

My biggest influences are Lola Brooke, uniiqu3music, and Missy Elliott. Each of them inspires me in different ways, but they all remind me how powerful it is to stand out as a woman and be excellent at your craft in the music industry. Their fearlessness, creativity, and originality push me to stay bold, stay unique, and take up space with confidence.

Describe a day in the life working as a DJ in your experience.

A day in my life as a DJ always starts with a big cup of coffee and at least two hours of practicing my set for the next event. Even though I practice heavily, my set list is never locked in — I always build it around the room and how people are feeling in the moment.

After practice, I pack all my gear and start transforming into DJ SLID3. That means outfit, hair, makeup, and accessories — everything that helps me feel powerful and ready to perform. Before the event, I use whatever time I have to get content, photos, or videos.

I always arrive early to set up so I can take in the space and get a feel for the vibe. Sometimes that means talking to people, sometimes it’s just reading the energy and figuring out which genres will connect with the crowd. Once I feel locked in, I take everyone on a musical journey — either matching the atmosphere or switching it up when I feel the event needs a new energy shift.

When the night ends, I pack up and head home, but honestly, the adrenaline never lets me rest. Even if I started at 6 am, the energy from a show feels like caffeine. I usually end up out with friends, dancing, and experiencing the same vibe I just shared with the crowd. It’s a full-circle feeling every time.

What is your motivation as you continue building your career?

My biggest motivation is seeing how music hits people. When someone hears their favorite song, and you can literally see the feeling run through their whole body — that’s everything to me. Knowing I have the power to create that moment keeps me coming back to the turntables every single time.

I also stay motivated by remembering where I started. Every time I look back, I’m reminded that with discipline and focus, my career will keep growing. And honestly, I get to do something I love every day. Why would I ever stop?

What are you working on at the moment?

Right now, I’m building a speakeasy-style event series popping up in random spots across the city. My goal is to bring back that genuine club experience — where people come to really enjoy the music, be present with the people around them, and feel something real again. It’s all about creating intimate, intentional vibes and reminding folks what the nightlife is supposed to feel like.

Why Stories Like SLID3’s Matter: The Impact of We Make Noise

SLID3’s story is just one example of what becomes possible when women and gender-expansive artists have access to spaces that see them, support them, and invest in their futures. At We Make Noise, we’re dedicated to building those spaces every day, where creativity, skills development, and community are nurtured.

But this work can only continue with the collective support of people who believe in a more inclusive, equitable music industry. By standing with We Make Noise, you’re helping ensure that emerging artists like SLID3 have the opportunity not just to enter the industry, but to transform it. Together, we can keep the doors open for the next generation of bold, innovative creators.

Don't miss our Instagram feature with DJ SLID3!

Photos Courtesy of SLID3

Written by Ini Obong