Don’t Skip This Gem: DJ GEMINI GILLY Is Transforming Social Work Through Her Sets

Draw an image in your mind about what a five-year-old’s bedroom would look like. What do you think would be inside? Lego sets, coloring books, Hot Wheels, and kitchenette sets are the most popular answers when thinking of this. There’s always one or two little ones whose mind sparks other interests and passions. For example, Milwaukee’s very own, DJ Gemini Gilly had a different first love compared to the majority of kindergarteners her age; music. The earliest flashback she has of falling in love with music was at five years old when her older brother would be sampling music using a gener8tor CD player while 106&Park flooded his TV screen daily. From that day on, it was as if her head was the one being spun on the turn tables and music was the DJ; while each vinyl record and scratch birthed new mixes and ideas inside DJ Gemini Gilly’s creative compass. 

For many young children creating and knowing their identity can be the most challenging while juggling the world’s perception and being under their microscope. Fortunately, Gilly’s identity was as easy to learn and understand as the ABCs. She’d gift CDs with personalized playlists created by her to classmates, be invited to parties just to plug her cell phone into the aux and introduce the vibes, and knew every hot and new song on the radio. The wild thing is music wasn’t at the forefront of her life as everyone would assume. Sports took that seat early on and sat front and center of Gilly’s childhood as she began channeling her inner Sanaa Lathan in the 2000 film, Love & Basketball. Drills, tournaments, and a goal to attend a D1 collegiate university to play basketball became the breath in her lungs and the routine trained in her brain that kept the talented athlete going. Throughout childhood, Gilly never deemed her connection and fascination with music in an extraordinary light everyone else witnessed; basketball received all her time, attention, and dedication. It wasn’t up until high school graduation that an epiphany clicked.

“I wanted to lock in during college and see how far my potential would go. All throughout high school I was doing just enough to skate by because being an athlete took all of my time. Once I attended college, my head was in every book of mine”. -DJ GEMINI GILLY

Overwhelmed, lost, and interested in too many things over what over 50% of college freshmen experience when declaring their major. Not ya girl at all. Throughout the entirety of her childhood, images of social work and its significance were given a main stage right in front of her. Gilly’s mother is what you’d call “The Neighborhood’s Mama”. Although being a social worker wasn’t her primary job; legal paperwork wouldn’t make any difference. From picking all of the neighborhood kids up and taking them out skating to providing meals to the entire block; social work ran through her veins and became her daily routine subconsciously. Young Alice (A.K.A DJ Gemini Gilly) instantly grew a hunger to follow in the footsteps of the woman who brought her into this world. Consistency and hard work runs in the family because Gilly attended the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, cracked down on the books, and slayed undergrad; doing all things academia she set out to do. Her detailed goals were becoming reality in no time and life became carefree but everything changed as the chapter of undergrad was wrapping up and grad season was just beginning as it started to write its own story.

A timeline has been taught rigorously generation after generation being described as “The Key to Success”. Go to school, graduate with a degree, and then you’ll get a “good job” in order to become successful. At what cost do we all have to give in order to achieve success? For DJ Gemini Gilly her hurdles came a bit sooner than expected as she was getting masters and the journey was all but exciting. Experiencing racism, depression, and the feeling of not belonging can be described as the synopsis of her entire grad school experience. Luckily, all of the pain and trauma were used as motivation to explore something that was always within her; her love for music, specifically DJing. Gilly already felt as though the party scene was not catered towards her culture at all so it was an extra push to learn so that she could specialize in African-American music and create spaces for people just like her. The week before winter break, a Twitter post listing the top fifty female DJs filled her eyes and a lightbulb came on! As soon as class ended she rushed to Guitar Center and copped a DJ set counsel the same day. Over the next nine months, the days and nights consisted of teaching herself how to create flavorful and lively mixes which led to DJing at Madison, WI bar and grill, The Atwood, her very first gig!

Gilly’s journey over the last six years has been nothing but full-speed and trailblazing. Her resume includes opening for SZA, Mariah The Scientist, JaRule, Anime, and being the face of music at Milwaukee events such as the All Black Xperience and free days at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Ironically the love she had for sports came back full circle as she now has two jobs working as a full-time DJ for the Milwaukee Bucks and Wisconsin Badgers Women’s Basketball team. Since 2018 when DJing became stamped in Gilly’s heart; it’s never been only about hyping up an audience to dance. Her connection to social work never depleted, rather strengthened even more as she wanted to not only shift the culture of going out but also the personal interactions people have with one another. While in college DJ Gemini Gilly quickly took note that the club scene in both Madison and Milwaukee, WI neglected diversity and had several restrictions. Gilly bridged the gap between her passion for both music and social work by bringing two ideas that lived rent-free in her notebook to life. 

On May 27th, 2023 Gems Only was born. Gems Only is an event series carefully curated by DJ Gemini Gilly and her team that’s bringing a unique and hot take on the party scene; not only nightlife but all celebrations. Although the business is only a year and a half, it’s had the success that many entrepreneurs dream of after year three of being in business.

“I believe success came so quickly for Gems Only because it was needed and something nobody in the city has ever seen before”, she said.

You may have been in attendance some of the events such as Nightmare on Water Street, Summer Jam 2K24, and their New Year’s Eve event. The purpose Gems Only serves is to be a safe space physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially for all in attendance. Different groups of people that represent different ethnicities, cultures, and beliefs shouldn’t feel divided and judged by others when going out for a good time. It captures both the essence of a Renaissance feeling but heavily reels in on respect. In the words of Aretha Franklin, “R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me” should considered by Gilly as the intro theme song at every event. Respecting others, the space and especially yourself are the three rules not only for Gems Only but also another event series Gilly has brought to life: NO SKIPS. Her foot is never off the gas. NO SKIPS is a subseries under Gems Only. An album listening party created to be intimately experienced and celebrated as a collective group is the overall bread and butter of what the essence of what NO SKIPS is. On April 20th, 2024 the launch event was a hit; celebrating Wiz Khalifa’s Kush and OJ album. NO SKIPS is not for those who just listen to music, but for people who relate, analyze, and feel the music that speaks and uplifts them in their lives. 

Creating her own lane and climbing the ladder of the music industry has changed her entire life within the last six years. Being able to leave her corporate job where she felt as if a disguise had to be worn and code-switching was mandatory to become a full-time DJ was nothing short of a testament to her journey. Making bold moves has not only shaken up her life but also the lives of thousands of other people who now have a fresh take and a newfound love for going out such as college students, former classmates, and everyday people throughout the city of Milwaukee.Gilly continues to stamp her name as one of the most talented DJs in Milwaukee, Chicago and New York. This is why she was selected to be the DJ for the “When We Vote, We Win” led by former Vice President, Kamala Harris during her campaign run for the 2024 Presidential Election. 

“It was at that moment where I seen Flo Milli, GloRilla, and Kamala herself that I felt a shift in my career had happened without me knowing in order for me to get here. I felt that I was taken seriously by all people. Since I started DJing Black women were always my number one supporter so it just felt like a full circle moment”. -DJ GEMINI GILLY

Providing spaces and opportunities for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community members to feel seen, heard, respected, safe, and celebrated has always seemed like secondhand nature to Gilly. She’s turning the tables when it comes to combining her fascination and passion for social work and music. To make sure you receive an exclusive ticket to the next culturally curated event by DJ GEMINI GILLY whether it is NO SKIPS or Gems Only follow their social media page at (@gemsonlyseries). Trying to explore new people, places, and things to enjoy going outside and hearing music you normally wouldn’t hear; follow the creative herself as she keeps her community up to date consistently of what she’s got going on next at (@DJGEMINIGILLY). 

Desriana Gilbert | Entertainment & Social Journalist for /CW

GEMS ONLY: Summer Jam 2k23 | 7-29-23 | DJ Gemini Gilly

DJ Gemini Gilly wears a lot of hats if you haven’t already noticed. Not only is she known for her skills to move a room, she’s also one of Milwaukee’s newest and upcoming Culture Curators! Word to Issa Rae! We had a chance to sit down with Gilly last month on The Intersection Podcast, where she expressed what it meant to her to hold that kind of title and also, how it was one of the many things that she’s manifested over the years. We finally had the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the party/event experience known as Gems Only that we’ve heard so much about, located at the North Ave Market and it was 2000’s themed! That’s an automatic vibe check. There was also an opportunity to buy Black with vendors such as 4Waukee and Can’t Die Broke. LivMKE was also in the building doing her thaaang live painting!

Dj Gemini gilly on the 1s and 2s

Gilly played the hits from the ‘99s and 2000’s all night and we jammed out. It was an incredibly nostalgic experience and anyone who attended can second that. It was unapologetically black. Let's talk about it. We have a Black Dj curating a Black event with Black vendors in a Black-owned space. It doesn't get more personal than that. Gilly is creating a safe space for our people, through our people and with our people. We need more of that here—especially for partying!

So if you missed this event, you can NOT miss the next one. This is how we create space in our community. This is how you can support your own community without getting political about it. Everything doesn’t need to be heavy in order to bring awareness and that’s what I appreciate about this angle of opportunity. Party all your problems away at the next GEMS ONLY party and also shop Black with Black vendors that are at every party!

I know that’s right!

/Ortizus for CW

Summerfest w/ CopyWrite Magazine [Hosted by Imani Ortiz] | Day 1: @DJGEMINIGILLY

If you were at Summerfest, June 23rd, and did not slide on DJ Gemini Gilly, were you really even there?

We were so happy to see another one-of-a-kind performance by one of the HOTTEST DJ’s in the city, making her SECOND headlining debut at Summerfest. I got the chance to catch up with our favorite gemini and this is what she had to say!

Nic Stokes Presents: “NOBody Knows”- A WorldLife Camp event [POST EVENT WRITE UP]

However, the host of the night won it all! He gave us his portrayal of Chicago's ‘Lil’ Durk’ to a T’, gold locs and all. Everyone else who wasn't with the theatrics decided to simply dress to impress, like 2021 Milwaukee Film Festival winner, independent filmmaker Marquise Mays who gave a smooth Nupe shimmy on the dance floor, or Milwaukee fashion model JuJu Kujjo who dressed up as herself- but ‘made it fashion!’ There wasn't a corner in the room that wasn’t filled with people and the vibes kept going all night; A great mixture of early 2000’s favorites and current summer hits kept us all jammin.’ After having indulged in the vibes of the night long enough, I finally pulled Nic Stokes to the side, into the semi-quietness of the stairwell for a brief interview

CW: …[Lexi] was telling me, “WordLife Camp was a part of our come up...CopyWrite would be nothing without [our] collaborations with [WorldLife Camp]...” Would you tell me what your background with CopyWrite is; what your background is, period- how you got started?

N: Yea, so back in the day, my big brothers from WorldLife Camp built a relationship with CopyWrite. CopyWrite threw a lot of events. I remember one specifically at 88.9 radio, I believe, there was a concert series and they did an event there…

 (“So icy” by Gucci Mane started playing in the background during this interview. . .  Ha, how player is that?)

N: ...I've always been supportive of CopyWrite; it's Black and woman owned, and I'm all about diversity so that was really it for me. I definitely wanted to have them as a part of this event. For my background, I've been doing parties since I was 9 years old. I've been on the radio- my dad is Earl Stokes from 98.3- people may know me as ‘Jammin Nic’, some people just know me as ‘Nic Stokes’, so that's kinda just my background. I went to Atlanta for school, Morehouse, so I got the chance to get a different perspective on partying, curating events and the possibilities that can happen. I tried to bring that back to Milwaukee. 

CW: Is partying something that you simply feel good doing or do you feel that there is a greater purpose for you in bringing people together? What is it about the lane of partying for you that means a lot?

N: Well, I think that the underlying thing about partying is the music. Music brings people together, it takes you back to different times and points in your life where you might have struggled, when you might  have had success, when you were just having a good time... I think it's just a good thing that you can do to bring people together….just partying with your friends and family, you might get a chance to network and meet somebody that may be in your same field or endeavor of work; you might get the chance to cross paths with someone that you might not have before. So that's what I try to do. I try to bring diverse crowds- and not necessarily race but it could be different lanes, it could be somebody that's an artist, somebody that's a journalist, somebody that's a construction worker, somebody that does real estate- so that's why it's important to me to create spaces in Milwaukee where people can do that. 

CW: What I've noticed about certain individuals, or even certain groups who resonate with one doing things their own way tend to be the “black sheep” of their families or of where they come from...do you feel that you are the black sheep of where you come from- socially, creatively, in your background….?

N: I wouldn't necessarily say that I'm the black sheep, I would just say that I just took my own lane, and I see other people doing that same thing… I don't wanna be self-serving and say ‘oh I'm the only person doing this and the only person doing that’, you know what I mean? 

CW: I feel that. As far as the end goal for your impact, is it being a party host, is it doing something more? What is the end goal for your influence of bringing people together and doing things that come naturally to you? Where do you see yourself? 

N: That's something that I would wanna do full time because I enjoy it. That's my passion. I wanna make sure that people are good, people are having a good time, making sure that people have a space where they can be themselves and have a great time, so whether that be parties, concerts or networking at social events, things like that are kinda my lane...not kinda, that is my lane.  

CW: I see that you have newer faces like DJ Gemini Gilly here-

N: She's awesome. 

CW: Yeah, she's great. Do you feel that you have a responsibility to the newer [faces] of creatives in Milwaukee because there are a lot of people who are a part of the older scene of Milwaukee- the influencers, the people who were the go-getters, the initiators, the parties, the bashes, the concerts, the shows. . . Do you feel that you have a responsibility to the up-and-coming [creatives], the youth? 

N: I think that you definitely- 

(Speaking of Big Gilly, “Ski” by Gunna and Young Thug cuts on and Stokes can't help but to feel it)

N: ... Awww this is my song, I'm sorry…. 

(He puts on his MC voice and speaks into the mic, still by the stairwell, unseen but still heard)

N: ... Yeah, yeah, yeah! I need yall to hit that dance! Yeah! Yeah! . . . My bad.

CW: It's all good. That was awesome!

N: I've known DJ Gemini Gilly for a long time. We went to ‘King together and when she first got on her D.J. journey I was like ‘yo, I gotta support you. You're Black. You're a woman. You’re independent. You're strong. You're trying to get out here. I have to support you because you have a passion.’ I think that anybody that has a passion for something, anybody that's really honest and really wanting to express themselves and reach their goals and go after their passions, I think the whole city- I think that everybody should support them. It was only right that I had her come here to D.J. tonight.

CW: I appreciate that..the way you just say that, Black man supporting Black woman, Black woman supporting Black men and Black people just supporting each other, genuinely.

N: As a Black man, you gotta support the queens. . . Got to. I just feel like I have that responsibility because I have a Black mom, I have Black sisters, I have a Black niece, you know what I mean? It's only right.

CW: We appreciate that, so thank you. . . It's poppin tonight. It's lit!

You should have been there, but we are sure there will be more. 

/Naomi-Re’a for CW

Back Stage: Summerfest 2021

Back stage access needed? No problem. We got that!

CopyWrite Magazine took on our September coverage with a twist: on assignment at the “Big Gig”. Yes, that’s right, Summerfest.

With a year of crowd surfing lost and a postponed festival date, we couldn’t wait to step back stage to chat it up with some of our new local favs and some not so far removed midwest creative peeps. Check out these three Snap Shot interviews from our ever growing Summerfest vault. 

DJay Mando:

Not a stranger to performing on Summerfest stages, DJay Mando was especially READY for this year’s festival. With this being the first Summerfest since cancelling due to COVID-19, and him doing two sets this year, Mando and his team came prepared to do what they do best - rock a show. The trifecta that is Mando and his dynamic dancing duo Dos and Chris G, put on two memorable shows opening up for Flo Rida and Nelly.

(side note: Likeee, what DJ do you know who brings a whole dancing crew with them at every show? That’s how you do entertainment! They’re DIFFERENT, Okay!) 

However, this wouldn’t be Mando’s first show this year, because a pandemic couldn’t stop him from making moves. The “We Outside” concert Mando put together earlier this summer was much needed after being cooped up during quarantine for over a year. 

“Everything was pivoting to online and I knew I didn’t want to do that,” Mando said.

The “We Outside” show on June 26th, 2021 was one of the first big concerts back in the city out of the pandemic and it represented the epitome of Milwaukee. With acts such as Chicken P, Gwapo Chapo, Solowke and more opening up for the female goat and Milwaukee’s own Lakeyah, the #414 was ready to once again enjoy their hometown favorites. Yung Bleu was also a headliner on the lineup until he canceled at the last minute and blamed it on “missing a flight.”

“[Yung Bleu] is never getting played by me ever again,” Mando said. “He pretty much ditched our show the day of, went to the Clippers game and they lost in game 7. So that’s what they get..that’s what he gets.”

Even with the last minute adjustments to make the show amazing, Mando and his team exceeded expectations and had a successful show. You can expect more shows from DJay Mando in the future, with more big name artists headlining. For now though, you can catch him spinning in UW-Madison as the official area DJ for their football and basketball games! 

“I graduated from UW-Madison so to be the football and basketball arena DJ, it all came full circle, it’s amazing!” Mando said.

DJay Mando 100% knows his audience and is great at catering to them. From his electric astronaut performances with Dos and Chris at Summerfest, his sold out shows at The Miramar, the relationship he has with the Cheba Hut franchise, and now his DJ residency at UW-Madison, EVERY ENTREPRENEUR SHOULD TAKE NOTES! Mando is strategic, always on brand and to top it all off, you can tell he genuinely loves what he does. With a formula like that, you can’t lose.

DJ Gemini Gilly:

When you’re talking about a blend/edit/mashup Queen, it would be disrespectful for DJ Gemini Gilly’s name to not be in the conversation. With her vast catalog of pure music genius, her creative mixes of hip-hop and R&B tracks are always the right vibe. This year was DJ Gemini Gilly’s Summerfest debut, and it was a well-deserved and earned accomplishment after all the hard work she has been putting in the last few years. 

(Forreal, if you haven’t heard of her, are you really from Milwaukee? You’ve clearly been sleep!)

“This[Summerfest] is like my official coming out party to Milwaukee, forreal forreal” Gilly said.

Music has always been a big part of Gilly’s life growing up, thanks to her big brother. He introduced her to a lot of styles like down south music from artists such as DJ Screw, Mike Jones, Paul Wall, along with artists from the East coast like Bad Boy, DMX, and The Lox. DJ Gemini Gilly was that friend who you trusted to pass the AUX to because you knew she was going to play some straight-up HEAT. That’s the kind of person who is destined to be a DJ.

DJ Gemini Gilly was a social work major at UW-Madison when she began teaching herself how to DJ over her winter break in 2018. What started as a hobby due to a love of music and a stressful job, quickly became an idea of something much bigger. Her first DJing gig was in 2019 and even despite the pandemic, her DJ career kept flourishing throughout 2020. From her first night at Pourman’s, The Black is Beautiful bike ride after set, debuting as the first female Butler Skateland DJ, and so many more, Gilly’s name was popping up everywhere! It’s only been up and stuck from there.

“I love when I’m on stage and bringing people together with music,” Gilly said. “I’m crossing my fingers and sending blessings that hopefully I will definitely be able to do this full-time. I also want to find a way to merge social work and DJing in a way where I’m able to do both, because I’m still very passionate about social work and just the community in general.”

Until then you can catch her consistently applying pressure on Instagram, consistently spinning gems at events and she recently announced she was selected to be an in-arena DJ for the Milwaukee Bucks! It’s been amazing to witness her journey and watch her dreams come full circle. 

Ever since starting in 2018, DJ Gemini Gilly put her foot on the gas and has no intentions of letting up. She should definitely be on your “ones to watch” list. She’s the now. She’s the future and she stands her ground on Webbie having the best verse on “I.N.D.E.P.E.N.D.E.N.T.”

Taylor Bennett:

Summerfest 2021 was a first for Taylor Bennett. It was also his first show back live since the pandemic. So of course, what better place to have his first show than the city that’s home to the NBA Champions! 

“Shoutout to the Bucks, We the Champs!” Bennett said. “I feel like I claim it just as a midwest kid.”

Taylor came to a few Milwaukee Bucks Finals games this year, along with his older brother Chance The Rapper, who also performed the same day at Summerfest headlining the American Family Insurance Amphitheatre stage. Shockingly to my knowledge, Taylor says he used to come to Milwaukee all the time when he was younger, and even when he was older would perform at different shows here. When I asked him if he thought Milwaukee is comparable to a little Chicago, like I hear everyone else always say, he agreed. 

Carrie: “Is there a favorite place you like to go when you’re here?”

Taylor: “I just went to this new spot and it’s probably my new favorite - Proof Pizza. That sh*t is bomb!” 

When Taylor isn't in MKE getting full off of Proof pizza, he’s on the gram showing body-ody-ody! And in the words of BIA, he invested in his body, b*tch he’s done up (or invested his time as Taylor let me know LOL). His fitness journey started after he had his first son, Charlie, in 2019. Taylor says he always envisioned himself being the type of Dad who would throw around the football with his son, and being 23 at the time, he didn’t feel like he was at the fit level he thought he was. Eventually he got addicted to seeing the results from all the time he was putting in and enjoyed the peace of mind it gave him. 

Carrie: “If there was one tip you could give somebody who’s thinking about starting but doesn't have that push/motivation to get on their fitness journey, what would you tell them? How did you start?”

Taylor: “The only thing that’s really guaranteed, that you can put your time and resources that are guaranteed results in this world, that nobody can take away from you, is fitness. Once I realized that I felt like it’s like that for a reason.”

In the industry one of the biggest decisions an artist makes is if they want to sign to a record deal or stay independent. Taylor Bennett, is one artist who has remained independent throughout his entire career so far, along with his brother Chance. With so many years in the game running things solo, Taylor would know more than anybody how to successfully be independent.

Carrie: “What’s the biggest tip you know now that you wish you knew back then when you first started independent?”

Taylor: “The biggest thing you gotta know is there’s no amount - no record deal - is worth what you think it is. Once I figured that out, that’s what made me think alright, F*ck that. I can’t ever owe anybody money tryna make money. That’s crazy as hell LOL.”

This summer Taylor dropped “Come Alive,” and more recently he dropped his video “Easy Outside.” Being independent, you have to work harder to push out your own work versus if you have a label to handle most of that for you. So make sure y’all support our boy Taylor like he’s supporting us and go run it up!

/Carrie for CW