DJ DELISH

DJ DELISH | PUMPDABEAT & TIME MACHINE RECORDS

"My music isn't just for the dancefloor—it's a survival guide." — DJ Delish, The Standard Hotels Interview

Philadelphia based, DJ Delish (Dhijah/Khadijah) is a multi-hyphenated powerhouse in contemporary ballroom culture. Since joining PUMPDABEAT (PDB) in 2012, she has emerged as one of the most influential voices in vogue and ballroom music, shaping its sound while preserving its Black, Latinx, and queer roots. Her productions are both deeply personal and globally resonant, blending experimental club sounds, spiritual textures, and theatrical flair reminiscent of Tex Avery cartoons.

Delish’s work is more than music; it’s a blueprint for survival, joy, and cultural empowerment. Her vision fuses the raw energy of ballroom with the innovation of Missy Elliott and the spirituality of The Clark Sisters, creating tracks that command dance floors while advancing social justice and community impact.

Career Highlights

Delish has received widespread recognition for her groundbreaking work. Her Khadijah Volumes 1–8 series, released between 2019 and 2023, was featured in Bandcamp Daily’s “Best Club Music” lists, while her 2023 mixtape, Electrokution Kak, was lauded as a transformative “final vogue compilation.” Her music has reached mainstream audiences through HBO Max’s Legendary, where her track Step Forward (The Wizah'd Beat) was featured, and viral moments on TikTok, including Detroit Wit’ Khadijah, which sparked the #SajuanChallenge and accumulated over 25,000 streams.

Delish’s signature projects also include the vinyl debut XP (2019), which fused house, ballroom, and hip-hop; the 2021 EP 28th, featuring Missy Elliott samples; and more recent releases such as KRASH OUT [The Mixtape] (2025), featuring REMAIN CNT*, GOSSIP (2023), Ballroom Batch (2024), and Detroit Wit’ Khadijah (2024), showcasing cross-regional collaborations.

Performances and Event Curation

Delish has brought her visionary sound to stages across North America, performing at Eaux Claires III (2017) as the mainstage DJ blending vogue and experimental beats, and at ICA Philadelphia (2024) for her first solo secular set in seven years. She has also played at The Sultan Room and House of Yes in Brooklyn, Public Records, Papi Juice in NYC, Boiler Room Philly (2022), and Brooklyn Bridge Park Movies (2022).

As an event curator, Delish has created transformative spaces for QTPOC communities. Highlights include DAWTA (2024–present), a sanctuary with VJtheDJ; CUNTY (2019–2022), which redefined Philly ballroom nightlife; and 2D (2023–2024), a genre-mashing event series in West Philly.

Community Impact and Activism

DJ Delish’s work extends beyond music. She founded Khadijah’s Bounce Back Fund to provide emergency support for LGBTQ+ youth and other marginalized artists. She has partnered with the Coalition for Black Trans Economic Liberation and collaborated with the Mazzoni Center for HIV/AIDS awareness. Through PUMPDABEAT EDU, she provides free production workshops and mentorship, ensuring the next generation of ballroom artists can thrive.

Time Machine Records

As founder of Time Machine Records, Delish has created a platform for experimental club music and Black queer expression. The label supports her solo work while amplifying emerging voices, including Naay Da Jawn, DJ Nightwing, Indirah Da DJ, and JAHAD VERSACE WEST.

Legacy

DJ Delish has redefined how ballroom music interacts with social consciousness, community survival, and global culture. Her work, both on stage and behind the decks, demonstrates that music can be a tool for empowerment, joy, and preservation, ensuring that the vogue beat remains alive, vital, and endlessly transformative.