Today we’d like to introduce you to Jane Dupree.
Jane, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I fell in love with music at a young age. I started playing guitar as a teenager and soon began playing at local churches. In my freshman year in college, I was in a Christian rock band and we were on the label D-fusion music. The label head was a rapper and his DJ showed me the basics of turntables.
A chance meeting with a vibrant classmate and WMTS radio host, Pimpdaddy Supreme, led me to get involved with the MTSU radio station. The following semester, I was given my own show, Housenation. I chose the name DJ Ten and started the show with barely any DJ skills. I learned how to mix live on air.
I would have local DJs as guests and I appeared on other WMTS shows. I threw my first event about a year after being a DJ. I got my first Nashville booking at the Club ExCeSs in 2000. As my show grew in popularity, I started getting more bookings and acquired my first out-of-town set. That booking inspired me to change my DJ name to Jane Dupree.
Originally, I considered using the moniker Diva Dupree. I wanted my name to represent ‘ your average woman’. There is a street in my hometown called Dupree st. The street is predominately black, so I wanted something that would represent that to me.
The electronic music scene was not known for diversity but I wanted to make sure I was representing myself, so I chose Dupree. I was chatting up this change with my mentor Mixmaster Lee and he suggested I use Jane. I liked it and the name change happened in 2002.
Fast forward to today,I have DJed with and for several of the industry’s top artists and events. I performed with Martha Wash and Crystal Waters. I have worked with Robin Williams. I been in numerous music videos and had a number 1 ITunes Debut.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I entered electronic music with a strong foundation in musicianship and live performance, but I was still learning the technical side of DJing .There was no clear roadmap, so much of the early process involved learning by doing, taking risks, and figuring things out in real time.
Another challenge was finding my place in a scene that was not especially diverse. As a Black woman entering electronic music, I didn’t always see people who looked like me represented in the spaces I wanted to be part of. That made authenticity especially important. Choosing the name Jane Dupree was one way of grounding myself rather than trying to fit someone else’s idea of what a DJ should look or sound like.
I also had to grow beyond simply being a DJ. As my bookings increased, I realized that longevity required understanding event production, relationships, branding, and community. I had to learn how to create opportunities instead of waiting for them, and how to keep moving forward when progress was slow or uncertain.
Those struggles ultimately shaped the way I work today. They taught me to be resourceful, stay open to learning, and create spaces where people feel welcome. The road hasn’t always been easy, but every challenge helped me become more confident in my voice and more intentional about the experiences I create.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a DJ, producer, songwriter, and music curator. I also host events . I’m best known for my DJ sets. I specialize in house and techno. In the more recent years, I’ve also explored open-format music. Electronic music is where I feel most at home.
I’m known for my wide musical range, strong instincts, thoughtful transitions, and uplifting energy.
I don’t believe in following rigid rules when I’m DJing. To me, a DJ set is like rewriting a song. It’s t’s a form of performance, much like playing any other instrument.
I’m most proud of inspiring others and sharing my passion for music. In 2020, I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer, and today I’m five years cancer-free. I feel blessed, grateful, and proud to be able to continue sharing music.
Recently, I launched a new party series called Scissor, a sapphic party focused on dancing, connection, and building community. I’m becoming known for this event as well, and it’s been exciting to see it grow. It originally started as a collaboration between myself and two friends, but ultimately, it became more than they had the capacity to take on. Luckily, I met someone new, Ms Canary Diamond, who was able to join forces with me and help carry the torch.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My advice is to find someone that hears and see you. Don’t be afraid to meet new people. Be willing to listen, learn, and work. Don’t overlook your peers because of their current circumstances. You can learn from everyone. The key to networking is building genuine relationships. Most importantly be patient and persistent.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Djjanedupree.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/djjanedupree and www.instagram.com/scissor.party
