There are many ways to find your place in music, and HoneyLuv’s journey is certainly one of the most unexpected. From DJing in her military barracks to performing on some of the world’s biggest stages, she’s built a career driven by genuine passion and an infectious love for what she does.
Back at ADE, where she’ll be playing Glitterbox’s sold-out party at Thuishaven, she’s also looking beyond the dancefloor with the launch of her own label, 4 THA LUV, a project dedicated to creating opportunities for underrepresented voices and building a community where everyone can find their place.
It’s finally ADE week! Where are we catching you, and how are you feeling about the days ahead?
ADE week is finally here! I’m super excited to be back in Amsterdam. I’ll be kicking things off with a panel during the day, then heading over to play the AP party with The Martinez Brothers, and finishing the night at Thuishaven with Glitterbox! I’m especially excited for that one because you know I love getting in my disco bag! It’s gonna be a full day of music, good energy, and lots of luv. Can’t wait to see everyone on the dancefloor!
You've got a busy week coming up! What's on your ADE agenda this year?
This year we’re keeping it super light! I’m only in Amsterdam for 24 hours, which is a huge difference from the last two years when I was here all week running back and forth between events. So I’m actually super happy to have everything packed into one day this time around. We’re making the most of those 24 hours and then I’m out lol!
Before becoming a DJ, you dreamed of playing basketball professionally and even served in the US Navy. Your journey has been anything but conventional. Looking back, did you ever imagine your life would take such a different direction?
Honestly, not at all! But if you’d told me years ago this is where I’d be, I definitely would’ve believed you because I’ve always believed anything is possible. I just never knew what the journey would look like getting here!
You started making music in your barracks after long shifts in the military. Do you remember the moment you realised this could become your future?
Honestly, I think when I first started DJing in my barracks, I was like, yeah, I wanna make this into a real thing. And from that moment I just became obsessed with the idea of making it happen.
“Sometimes I have to remind myself that I’m literally living the life I once dreamed of.”
Congratulations on the Grammy consideration campaign for Don't Stop with Muni Long. Last week, you shared a beautiful message about being a girl from Cleveland with big dreams. What did that younger version of you imagine for her future?
It was always traveling the world and eating good food for sure! Those were always two things I dreamed of doing, so the fact that I get to do both while doing something I love is pretty amazing.
You wrote that sometimes you have to sit back and take it all in. From making music in your bedroom to performing at Coachella, EDC, and some of Ibiza's biggest clubs, has it been difficult to process everything that's happened?
Absolutely! Just with how fast-paced my life is, sometimes I don’t even have the time to really process everything that’s happening. I’m constantly traveling, playing shows, and moving on to the next thing, so I don’t always get a chance to sit back and appreciate how far I’ve come. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I’m literally living the life I once dreamed of, and that’s something I’ll never take for granted.
And what about life away from the decks? With such a demanding touring schedule, how do you switch off and find time for yourself and the people you love?
I’m big on my me time! With how hectic my schedule can get, I really value my moments of isolation where I can just disconnect from everything and recharge. I love having self-care days, going to the gym, getting massages, facials, or honestly just being home doing absolutely nothing. I think having that balance is so important for me, especially when I’m constantly surrounded by people and traveling. And whenever I get the chance, I love spending quality time with the people I love.
“Without the Black and queer communities, house music wouldn’t be what it is today.”
Your sound draws from the roots of house music while incorporating R&B and soul influences. How would you describe the direction your music is taking right now?
I feel like my sound is always evolving, especially now that I’m living in Berlin and discovering so many new sounds that I’m really drawn to. I’ve started incorporating those influences into my sets as well. A HoneyLuv set from a year ago sounds completely different from what it does today. You’ll always hear those house, R&B, and soulful influences, but we’re definitely getting a lot darker with it now, and I’m loving that direction.
Your latest single, Good Measure, featuring Gavin Turek and Cor.Ece, was actually created two years ago during a studio session in London. You recently shared how special that moment felt. What do you remember about making the track?
I remember hearing it and immediately thinking, oh this is one of those classic-sounding records. One of those songs that just stays with you forever. It had such a timeless feel to it, and I knew we had created something special.
And now Good Measure has become the first release on your own label, 4 THA LUV. What made you decide that this was the right song to introduce the project to the world?
I mean, I’m a person who goes off feeling, and I just knew this song was a vibe from the moment we made it. It felt right, and what better way to introduce my label than with a record I genuinely love and believe in.
What's particularly exciting about 4 THA LUV is that you're building something beyond a traditional record label, with a strong focus on community and mentorship. What do you wish had existed when you were first starting out?
Honestly, just more opportunities and spaces for people like me to be seen and heard. Especially as a Black woman in dance music, I know how important representation is. I wish I had more people to turn to for guidance when I was first starting out, and that’s really what I want to create with 4 THA LUV: a community where we can support each other, share knowledge, and give talented people opportunities they might not have had otherwise.
House music owes so much to Black and queer communities, yet their contributions haven't always received the recognition they deserve. How important is it for you to honour those roots while creating opportunities for a new generation?
It’s extremely important to me because without the Black and queer communities, house music wouldn’t be what it is today. I think it’s our responsibility to make sure that history is never forgotten and that the people who created this culture continue to have a place in it. For me, it’s not just about honoring the past but making sure the next generation has the opportunities, representation, and support to keep pushing the culture forward.
“I want to see more women headlining, in leadership positions, and behind the scenes making decisions.”
You're also joining conversations at ADE about supporting women in the music industry. From your own experience, where do you think the scene still needs to improve?
I think we still have a long way to go when it comes to equal opportunities and representation, especially for women, and Black women in particular in dance music. There’s so much incredible talent out there, but not everyone is given the same opportunities to be seen or heard. I want to see more women headlining, in leadership positions, and behind the scenes making decisions. And not just because they’re women, but because they genuinely deserve to be there.
Looking towards 2027, what are you dreaming about next, both personally and professionally?
Honestly, just continuing to grow and evolve in every aspect of my life. Professionally, I want to keep pushing myself creatively, take 4 THA LUV to new heights, and continue building something bigger than myself. Personally, I want to be more present, enjoy the life I’m creating, and make more time for the things and people I love. I have some pretty big dreams, and I truly believe anything is possible, so we’ll see where 2027 takes me!
