“I’m very influenced by my environment and by my surroundings,” says LUV. “I’m very influenced by the youth, too – their activism and how they’ve been vocal about important societal issues is inspiring.” Based in Jersey City, New Jersey, Lovelisa Dizon, better known affectionately as LUV, is a DJ, avid cyclist, event producer, and founder.
Photograph by Jahnia Holterhoff
LUV got her start in music in 2014 through event management and promotion, working closely with friend and colleague Kevlove. Eventually, she got into DJing and producing music, and has been paving a lane for herself in the nightlife industry.
Along with making music, LUV manages Chilltown Collective, a global networking platform for DJs in NJ & NY, and Roadie Worldwide, a global dance party & dais that supports woc artists via mixed mediums. Inspired by her family and friends, and driven by her passion for representation, justice and equality, LUV is an extremely community-oriented, highly motivated individual who continues to activate events that give back.
Photograph by Sheena Ocot
In fact, as Chilltown widened its focus beyond a lifestyle brand, she found her voice – so to speak – and began incorporating community initiatives to their music programming & events. One such initiative is Chilltown Leaders of Tomorrow, an after-school program that provides high school students at County Prep High School with experience in event planning and project management, as well as how to develop business and leadership skills. Most recently, the collective put on a 24hr live stream fundraiser, Chilltown Strong, set to support healthcare workers and small local businesses in NJ and put on a charity event for Chilltown Collective’s five year anniversary called Chilltown for Black Lives to support the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
I met with LUV a couple weeks ago as she kicked off #SPINFORBLACKLIVES – an ongoing fundraising campaign that supports local Black non-profit organizations in NJ. We met at Rise Radio and she talked to me a bit about the campaign, her progress, and what motivated her to start it. “For a while now, I’ve wanted to intertwine my passion for music and throwing events and my passion for cycling. So, I created an initiative that encompasses both,” she says. “With everything that’s been going on, I asked myself: What can I do? How can I do my part in supporting Black lives?”
For every dollar donated, LUV bikes one mile, and organizations are selected monthly. June donations went to Black Men United and July proceeds are going to the Black Diaspora Club. LUV’s been recording all her rides on a cycling tracking app so supporters can follow along.
Read more about our #artist2lookout4 below.
What inspired you to start Chilltown Collective?
There was this void here. Like, I noticed a lot of the DJs based in Jersey City or in Jersey were going to New York to play gigs and do things. New businesses were opening up in downtown Jersey City (aka gentrification), and as someone who was born and raised and living in Jersey City, I wanted to do my part in creating an environment and building a community around the music industry here. When Chilltown started, it was more of a lifestyle brand, focusing on apparel and accessories, but then we got into event production and promotion and started working with venues like Porta, and other collectives here, in New York, Boston, and in Florida. Everything just started booming after that.
How did Roadie Worldwide come to be?
Let me start with how the name came about: when I would visit my family in Jamaica, a lot of my friends and family would call me “roadie” because I was very adventurous, and I wanted to be on the road, exploring the island. One night I was in my car and I was with King Marie and I told her I wanted to do something, build something for women. We started talking more about my plans and what I wanted to do, and also my trip to Jamaica. When she heard my nickname, she goes, “Girl, that’s your name right there.” So, that’s Roadie came about. The foundation is in music & the arts, and the events celebrate women who go against the grain, who follow what's true in their heart, mind and soul.
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The support that we’re getting, and that we're giving each other; our spirits are lifted through music.”
Can you talk a little bit about your Spin For Black Lives campaign?
Spinning For Black Lives is an ongoing campaign to support local black organizations. I've been an avid cyclist for 10 years. I've done century rides, which is 100 miles, and have cycled for different fundraising campaigns. For a while now, I’ve wanted to intertwine my passion for music and throwing events and my passion for cycling. So, I created an initiative that encompasses both. With everything that’s been going on, I asked myself: What can I do? How can I do my part in supporting Black lives? There are organizations in Jersey City called Black Men United and the Black Diaspora Club, who are leading the protests and putting in the groundwork, and I want to do what I can to support them. I figured out that I can DJ these sets, raise money, and then for every dollar that I raise, I would ride a mile. Anyone can participate by donating to the GoFundMe page. 100% of donations are going to these organizations.
What are some other social causes you’re passionate about?
I am an advocate of music & the arts, women empowerment, youth building & empowerment, LGBTQ+ rights, climate change. Really I am all about building up marginalized communities and I try to reflect that in my work.
Photograph by Jahnia Holterhoff
Which artists have you been following/listening to these days?
I have the latest Buju Banton album on repeat right now. That album is insane, I can’t stop moving. Skip Marley’s new track with H.E.R. ‘Slow Down’ is so amazing, such a beautiful song. Koffee’s song ‘Lockdown’ – she’s always been on my radar, I love her energy. And also, UNIQU3 from Jersey – as the Queen of Jersey Club she's been killing the production game. Most recently, Serato did a versus battle between two pioneers in club music, DJ Technics, who is from Baltimore and DJ Tameil who’s based in Jersey. It was like Baltimore v. Jersey, the chat room was so dope; all the tracks and music history all of these club heads were dropping in the chat. It was a pretty big and super nostalgic experience.
Photograph by Sheena Ocot
With venues closing, and no reopening date in sight, DJs have been migrating to the digital space to play music. What has your experience been like? Any useful tips?
It's so crazy, I’ve never been a mic person, but now I've become a mic person. It’s like developing new skills. I mean a lot of DJs were battling copyright issues with Instagram and getting booted off in the beginning, and obviously they’ve become more strict with it as time passed due to pandemic. So, a lot of features migrated to Twitch. When Chilltown did a 24-hour live stream on Twitch to raise money to support health care workers, luckily we worked with a media company called Dream, But Don’t Sleep, which made the process easier. We ended up raising $10,000 for local hospital healthcare workers during that stream, and I am so appreciative of the community. The support that we’re getting, and that we're giving each other; our spirits are lifted through music. The advice I’d give would be to stay consistent. I've learned that interaction, especially on Twitch, is important. So knowing how to read the “chat” room, know who's watching your channel.
Hypothetical: If you could choose one venue to play at right now (worry-free of COVID), which would it be and why?
Porta. Without a doubt, no hesitation I would play there. Everyone, doesn’t matter where you’re from, comes to that dance floor. The DJ booth is elevated so you fully see the crowd when you play. The feeling that you get when you’re DJing, you're in control, and you see those Jersey clubs circles scattered throughout the whole floor is just...it's amazing. There's no better feeling. It’s a great space to spread love and good vibes.
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Interview by Rahel Tekle