Today we’d like to introduce you to Siani ‘Dj Si’ Freeland.
Hi Siani ‘Dj Si’, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I stumbled into Djing after hearing Dj Aasha Adore perform at 12 Lounge. That had to have been around 2011. I remember being in awe of her musical range and becoming curious about how everything worked behind the booth. She had the most beautiful spirit. I introduced myself, and her warm personality gave me the welcome into the Dj community that I needed to take that first step.
Not long after, I connected with my longtime mentor, Dj Lady M, and that is when the real work began. I would travel to her house and accompany her to mobile events so I could practice whenever possible. In true Dj hazing fashion, she would sometimes leave me alone in the booth for extended periods and expect me to keep the crowd moving. It was intimidating, but those moments forced me to trust my instincts and learn how to read a room.
After successfully completing years of mobile gigs, I joined BeMoreThanDance as a resident Dj and Dj instructor. That partnership opened the door to some incredible opportunities, including working with MRI Programs, collaborating with Waterfront Partnership in Downtown Baltimore, performing at the Creative Alliance and Kennedy Center, and working with Red Bull Dance Your Style. The experience, exposure, and insight that Neek (CEO of BeMoreThanDance) solidified my Dj presence and I would be remiss not to give him my eternal gratitude.
Throughout my journey, I have also been fortunate to learn from and be mentored by some amazing Baltimore Djs, including Dj B Eazy, Mike Mumblez, Dj Big Nasty, and Dj Shannell B. I am especially grateful for the influence of Dj Vicious V, who is deeply missed. They have taught me invaluable lessons that continue to assist me in always evolving. Vicious V put me in contact with Lady M so that I could learn the basics before plans of learning to battle. B Eazy pointed me to my first set of real speakers and introduced me to the Baltimore Dj Zone to meet and grow with the Dj community. Mike Mumblez taught me sound and studio etiquette while giving me my first online radio opportunity. Big Nasty taught me crowd control and music placement. Shannell B has always provided a bevy of marketing knowledge that has remained pivotal to my growth.
Over the years, I have performed on community stages and at events such as Doin’ It in the Park (2018), Party at the Polls(2018), Baltimore Pride(2023), and Baltimore Trans Pride(2026). I have held residencies at Baltimore-area venues including The Crafty Crab, TGI Fridays, and Capital Lounge. I have also made appearances at local staples such as PowerPlant, The Civil, The Crown, Motor House, and Sizzle. Currently, I hold a weekly Sunday night residency at The Basement at El Guapo, located at 729 Frederick Road, from 8 p.m. to midnight, with half-off drink tabs from 9 p.m. to midnight. Shameless plug!
Today, I am focused on nurturing my current corporate partnerships, building new ones, and continuing to deliver some of the most versatile open-format sets in Baltimore. At the same time, I am growing the Dj Si brand throughout Baltimore and the surrounding areas while staying committed to the community and mentors who helped me get here.
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?
Anybody who says their Dj journey has been completely smooth is either a very lucky individual or has not been in the Dj booth for very long.
There are the inevitable “it happens to everyone” moments, such as forgetting a piece of equipment and having to call in a favor at the last minute. Then there are the Dj fails that nearly all of us experience at least once, whether it is a hard-drive failure, a cable malfunction, or the most frightening situation of all: realizing the crowd is not happy.
One of my biggest struggles was finding my identity as a Dj. It took me a long time to understand that my style was different from the traditional Baltimore sound. I had to discover my own musical voice, develop confidence on the microphone, and identify the audience that connected with what I brought to the booth. There was also the challenge of navigating slow seasons. They are fewer and farther between now, but there were times when it felt like I could not secure the bookings I knew I was capable of handling. Those periods could be discouraging, especially when I knew how much work I had put into developing my skills.
The key through all of it was to keep practicing, remain positive, and continue preparing. I wanted to make sure that when my opportunity came, I was more than ready to step into the booth and showcase exactly what I could do. This has been 10+ years in the making and I make sure every set leaves a good impression on the patrons, venues, and other djs.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a female, open-format Dj with more than a decade of experience creating unforgettable soundtracks for nightlife events, private celebrations, and corporate functions throughout the DMV. I specialize in seamlessly blending Hip Hop, R&B, Pop, House, Reggae, Club music, and more to create a sound that connects with a wide range of audiences.
I am most proud of how much my musical knowledge has grown over the years. That growth has strengthened my ability to read a room, understand different backgrounds and musical preferences, and select the right songs for each crowd and moment.
What sets me apart from other Djs is my willingness to take musical risks. I have the confidence to play the songs that other Djs may assume the crowd does not want to hear. More often than not, those unexpected selections become the moments people enjoy and remember most.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
When I think about my favorite childhood memories, two moments involving music immediately come to mind: one with my dad and one with my mom.
As a child, I would ride around in the car with my pops, unknowingly developing the skills I would later use as a Dj. He loved Michael and Janet Jackson, so whenever a Michael Jackson song played, we would race to see who could name a Janet Jackson song that sounded similar. Eventually, the game expanded to include any song that came on the radio. At the time, I had no idea how much those moments would influence my ear for music and my ability to connect different songs.
My favorite musical memory with my mom is hearing her scream every word to “Stranger in My House” by Tamia. She would blast it through every intercom in our three-story house and sing like she had personally lived every lyric. Now, whenever the song comes on, we sing it together. It is a memory that still makes me smile and reminds me how deeply music has always been connected to my family.
Pricing:
- Rates are event based, not hourly
- Rates are subject to increase with long distance travel
- Inquire within for full quotes
Contact Info:
- Website: https://itsdjsi.wixsite.com/hitdjsi
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsdjsi/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItsDjSi
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@itsdjsi
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsdjsi
