Meet Jaye Hunnie | Former music journalist, A&R rep, online radio co-host, and life long music enthusiast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jaye Hunnie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jaye, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
My organization, Women of House Music Collective, gives recognition to women of the House Music community. I’m originally from Baltimore, Maryland and there is a long history of underground dance music. Over the years, I became immersed in the underground House Music scene and I regularly attended events in various cities. While meeting many people I noticed there was a void. Though the spirit of House Music is love, it is still male-dominated and women are often underrepresented. Women House Music DJs were rarely headliners, regardless of their skills or how many years they played. As a regular attendee of House Music events, I noticed that we [women] were the main supporters, the main dancers on the dancefloor, the main travelers for their favorite DJs, and the main buyers of music and merchandise. Women are such an important part of keeping the House Music scene thriving but we weren’t taken seriously as music enthusiasts. We were looked at as simply fans. Our input wasn’t considered and our contributions weren’t’ appreciated. I want to change that.

The Women of House Music Collective spotlights women for the world to see that women are just as talented and dedicated to House Music as their male peers. So far all of my events feature all-women DJs. I plan to continue that or at the very least the headliners will be women. In addition to that, my event hosts will be women of the House Music community. Another mission I wanted for The Collective, is to provide sisterhood and a network for women that love music and culture. Many times I have gone to events alone and I would run into girlfriends there, who also came alone. We would say we should have made plans to travel together. The Collective has led to connections for women to plan outings together as well as work on projects together. The Women of House Music Collective is not about excluding men, it’s more about empowering women.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Something that sets the Women of House Music Collective apart is we are a sisterhood for all women that love House Music. There are great House Music-based organizations for women but they mostly cater to DJs. We also give recognition to women DJs but we have also provided opportunities for women that are not. Our members can be DJs, producers, dancers, vocalists, hosts, promoters, or simply women who love House Music and don’t have a title. Like I said it’s a sisterhood, not just an organization. Some members have linked up to work on projects and some to attend House Music events together for fun.

I am proud that I was able to have successful events featuring all-woman DJ lineups. It was great to see men be so supportive and attend. I am also happy to see that some of DJs that we have featured are continuously rising in the House Music scene. I saw greatness in them and it’s beautiful that the world is seeing it also.

It was not easy to launch the Women of House Music Collective. People didn’t really understand my vision. Even some women didn’t get it. The Collective is not about separating us from men but more about giving appreciation and acknowledgment to women that sometimes get overlooked. The people that get it, get it.

I want the world to know that women are a driving force in House Music and the Women of House Music Collective appreciates women that are keeping the culture alive.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As a House Music lover, the best weekend is Labor Day weekend because of the ATLwkndr and House In the Park. It’s fun, interesting, and exciting in one stop. If it’s another week I would probably take my friends to Midtown to one of my favorite Thai restaurants, 26 Thai. For drinks and dancing, we would go to Parlor in Castleberry Hill. It’s such a vibe there especially when DJ SkyyWalker is playing. Little Five Points is a must for a unique shopping experience at Moods Music and Jaya’s Star Bazaar. I live in Southwest Atlanta and I would take them up the street to Greenbriar Mall or maybe Southlake Mall to people-watch.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to shout out to everyone who has supported the Women of House Music Collective and its efforts. Shoutout to the members, everyone that has attended events, and everyone that cheers for us locally and from afar, this includes men that show us love. It is truly appreciated. Also shoutout to my fellow goddesses of the Divine Trilogy: Music +Art +Community. We have some wonderful events coming soon.

Website: www.womenofhousemusiccollective.com

Instagram: womenofhousemusiccollective

Facebook: www.facebook.com/womenofhousemusiccollective

Image Credits
John Crooms – feature photo Alan Kimara Dixon – “Peace Love House” photo