Behind the best music scenes are communities of people. Ravers, chatroom champions, selectors, roadies, photographers—whatever their role, these individuals combine to keep the collective heart beating.
Shining a light on the brains behind the beats is what R/HOOD is all about. We recently teamed up with the community-driven platform on their Community Represents series. One of many initiatives this crew have on the go, they’re doing more than most to use their platform for something bigger.
Representing DJs From Every Neighborhood
R/HOOD was co-founded by Khadija in 2021. It’s a community-driven platform and cultural hub dedicated to uplifting, supporting, and inspiring underrepresented talent worldwide. It’s not just a case of showcasing a DJ’s talent by streaming a killer set, though. The platform aims to tell the personal stories behind every performance too.
One of the music industry’s biggest issues is a lack of representation. The obvious place to see this is on festival posters, venue bills, and club lineups. But even behind the scenes, people from minority communities aren’t being supported, employed, or given opportunities in a way that reflects society’s makeup.
It’s not about creed, color or destination. It’s about the journey, talent and representation.
For Khadija Hashi, something had to happen. The West London native has turned her experiences with industry misrepresentation into her mission. This hasn’t gone unnoticed. This year, she featured in Guap Mag x adidas UK & Ireland’s Blacklist—celebrating 30 Black cultural leaders under 30 who are championing Black communities—and the Black Google Network’s Everyday Icons for Black History Month.
For The Community, By The Community
A lot of platforms exercise lip service when they talk about community. It’s a nice lil’ buzzword to throw into their bio or tagline. This is definitely not the case for R/HOOD. Far from it. The platform exists to create and sustain a network of creators from around the world. This interconnected community of DJs and musicians can share resources, facilitate connections, and amplify each other’s artistry and careers. Though they call London and Amsterdam their homes, the community is based all over the world.
One way R/HOOD supports this community is through membership. Entry is earned through creativity, granting those who deserve it ‘Culture Maker’ status. Once in, you gain access to perks like the private chat, gigs, and global brand connections. Connecting DJs creates a space where ideas spread and collaborations spawn. Applications are open by the way.
Another resource they offer is funding for projects and campaigns that benefit underrepresented talent and communities. The platform is always on the lookout for ways to partner with people who want to make a difference.
From URL To IRL
If you have a flick through R/HOOD’s YouTube, you’re guaranteed to find the soundtrack for your next pregame or party. Their Instagram shares interviews from the DJs, giving them a platform to educate and express. But these streams and content they create are about way more than simply sharing sick music.
In each episode, a local DJ performs from a place that means something to them. It’s an opportunity for them to not only express themselves through music, but to tell a story about their life. You’ve got NOORU bringing the vibes from Templehof, Berlin (peak the SOUNDBOKS 4). ETTI diving through Amapiano and Afrobeats in Bredäng, Stockholm. Selecta Suave dropping bangers from Shoreditch, London. These backdrops might look cool, but visually connecting DJs to their hometown adds a layer of personality not every platform can claim.
Like we said earlier, we’ve teamed up with R/HOOD for their upcoming Community Represents series. Using their phones, DJs can contribute by capturing the essence of their neighborhood. How? By recording a set no longer than three minutes from a hometown location. Every month, the community-selected winner gets their hands on a SOUNDBOKS 4 and becomes a part of the R/HOOD roster. Keep your eyes peeled in 2025—you might just find your new favorite DJ.
