In 2018, Taylor Character, aka HoneyLuv, operated drones for the Navy at a base in Malibu, California.
“Being in the military made me a lot more organized,” the Cleveland resident told me Billboard. “I’d also say being more diligent, not letting myself get slack, and being on top of everything — a self-starter and motivator.”
She used her newfound discipline to teach herself how to DJ, a skill that would pay dividends. In just two short years, HoneyLuv has been touring EDM festivals across the country producing remixes for artists like Diplo and Lizzo.
“Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not possible. Everything in this world is achievable,” said HoneyLuv.
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From drones to dance floors
After leaving the military, HoneyLuv made her first debut playing hip-hop and R&B music on Dash Radio as a guest DJ for celebrity trainer Corey Calliet’s radio show “Issa Lifestyle”. She also started playing regularly at Flamingo Deck, a club in San Diego.
Her sets caught the attention of a former talent agent who booked her at The Day Trip Festival in Los Angeles. From there, her career started to take off.
HoneyLuv has taken on a business manager, which she says is one of the wisest moves she’s ever made.
“Having someone there to guide you through business makes it so much easier,” she shared Billboard.
Her manager booked huge tours for HoneyLuv, such as Desert Hearts and the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, where she was the only black performer in the entire lineup.
In July, HoneyLuv released an impossibly titled tech house single called “Thr33 6ix 5ive.” The song has been streamed over 5 million times on Spotify.
This month HoneyLuv is releasing a remix of Lizzo’s song “Everybody’s Gay”.
“I’m a huge Lizzo fan. Exactly what she stands for,” HoneyLuv said in a profile in The New York Times.
She hopes her success will inspire more black female DJs to join the party.
“It’s up to us to carry on the legacy in the hope that we can inspire more and more people to join this community and enjoy the music.”
