From medical supply store employee to turntable queen
Berlin, somewhere between neon lights and basslines: DJ Nomi stands behind the decks and lets the crowd escalate. She is one of the few women in the male-dominated DJ scene and has fought for her place with talent, tenacity and a good dose of attitude. She was the first female Afrobeats DJ in Germany – but she has come a long way. Between diapers, beats and prejudices, she has worked her way up. With Belle&Yell she talks about her career, being a mother and the art of not letting things get you down.
From the sales counter to the stage - an unconventional start
Nobody would have thought that DJ Nomi would one day be in demand internationally. Born in Stuttgart with Ghanaian roots, she first completed a commercial apprenticeship in a medical supply store. “I actually wanted to become a nurse,” she laughs. But nightlife had other plans. She kept finding herself in clubs – not only on the dance floor, but also next to the DJ booth. “I watched DJs and thought to myself: I want to do that too!”
Even then, she knew it wouldn’t be easy. “Everyone said: It’s a man’s thing!” But Nomi was not deterred. Inspired by DJ Passion – now known as Ninetoes – she pursued her goal and moved to Berlin in 2011.
From the first gig to the big breakthrough
The path was no walk in the park. Nomi started with her first performance at her own event series “Afro Heat” (now known as Freak de l’Afrique), which she launched together with Wallizz and Ukai. She then began DJing in bars and at private parties. Her first appearances in clubs followed. But there was no sign of respect. “I came in high heels, was elegantly styled – and nobody took me seriously.” Worse still, some male DJs actively tried to sabotage her. “I had cables pulled out before gigs so that nothing would work. But they had been unlucky – I knew how to fix it.”
Her breakthrough came when she tricked her way into the line-up at a hip Berlin club. “I said to the promoter: ‘You need a woman on the desk! I was allowed to play a warm-up set – and then there was no turning back.”
Club, child, career - how does that work?
In addition to music, Nomi is a single mother of a nine-year-old son. “Organization is everything!” She has a strong network of friends and babysitters who support her. “Sometimes he stays overnight with friends or my family in Stuttgart when I’m on the road.”
Nomi believes that having a career with a child is absolutely doable. “I work evenings and weekends – my son is at school during the day. I love to be a mother AND I love my job.”
DJ by feel - no setlist, just vibes
Nomi doesn’t spend weeks preparing playlists – she relies on her intuition. “I never DJ according to a plan. I read the crowd, feel what they need – and give it to them.” This intuition has become her trademark. “A good DJ has to be able to feel the energy in the room. You can learn the technique – but you have to have the feeling.”
The big leap into self-employment
In 2022, she made the decision to become a full-time DJ. “I might have done it earlier, but as a mother I wanted security.” Her former employer even gave her a return-to-work guarantee. But she didn’t need that. Today, she plays at international events – from Berlin to Dubai. “I didn’t want to say one day: ‘Woulda, coulda, shoulda,…’.”
For all the women out there: just do it!
What advice does she have for other women who want to work in male-dominated industries? “Keep at it! Don’t give up! And above all: learn the technique!” Her recipe for success: ignore when others doubt you and keep going anyway. “The people who don’t want you to succeed are your biggest motivation.”
About DJ Nomi
🇩🇪 Place of birth: Stuttgart, Germany
🇬🇭 Roots: Ghanaian family
👔 First training: Commercial training in a medical supply store
🎵 Start of DJ career: 2012 after moving to Berlin
🎶 Music genres: Afrobeats, Hip-Hop, R&B, Funk, House, Soul, Pop, Rock
👍🏻 Special feature: One of the few successful female DJs in Germany
🚦 Challenges: Initial prejudices and resistance in the male-dominated DJ scene
👨👦 Mother role: Single mother of a 9-year-old son
🌍 International gigs: Tours worldwide, including Ghana, Dubai, New York and various cities in Germany
⭐️ Motto: “Never give up when you’re down.”
Booking
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About DJ Nomi
DJ Nomi has rapidly become one of the most versatile DJs in Berlin’s vibrant club scene. Her eclectic musical repertoire spans hip hop, RnB, soul, funk, Afrobeats, dancehall, and disco, captivating audiences across the city and beyond. In Berlin, DJ Nomi has graced renowned locations such as Gretchen, Avenue, Festsaal Kreuzberg, Metropol, Prince Charles, Weekend Club, Soho House, and Watergate. Her dynamic performances have also led her to international stages in cities including Warsaw, Luanda, Accra, Maputo, Nairobi, Antananarivo, Kigali, Dar es Salaam, Madrid, Zurich, Dubai, and New York.
