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Conversations with Jamila Aminat Jadesola Salih

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamila Aminat Jadesola Salih.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Absolutely. I’m born and raised in Los Angeles to a Nigerian and Senegalese mother who always emphasized the power of education and community. When I was 10, my father moved back to Africa, which sparked an early curiosity in me about the world beyond my neighborhood—but no matter where life has taken me, L.A. has always been home.

After graduating from Santa Monica High School, I attended Cal Poly Humboldt, where I fell in love with international entrepreneurship. That passion eventually led me to start traveling at 20 and, by 25, I launched my first business: Nauti Bruja International Wellness, a women’s reproductive health center focused on womb healing, vaginal care, and education. I hosted pop-up wellness experiences all over Los Angeles—from Leimert Park to Inglewood to Venice Beach—and also brought that energy to Houston and St. Louis before opening a brick-and-mortar location in Accra, Ghana. Even while moving across cities and countries, I always circled back to L.A.—it was the anchor in every phase of my growth.

After four years of deeply emotional and powerful work, I realized the weight of holding space for so many women’s healing journeys was starting to affect my own mental health. I decided to step back and give myself permission to explore new passions—ones that still allowed me to connect, uplift, and inspire, but in a different frequency.

That’s when DJing found me.

I didn’t have fancy gear or even a controller—just my phone, the Djay Pro app, and a whole lot of heart. My first gig came from within the community that raised me: the Santa Monica School District’s Cultural Graduation. That moment reminded me how deeply connected I still was to my roots in L.A., even as my dreams expanded globally.

Soon after, I took a leap to Thailand—not to escape L.A., but to deepen my craft in a new space, free from distractions. That time abroad helped me sharpen my skills and return with a new level of confidence and creative clarity.

Now, as DJ Jadesoula, I represent an international spirit with an L.A. soul. Everything I create is shaped by the city that raised me, even when I’m rocking a set halfway across the world.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all—it’s been anything but a smooth road. But every twist, turn, and hard moment has shaped me into who I am.

When I launched my first business, Nauti Bruja International Wellness, I was stepping into sacred work—creating a space for womb healing, reproductive education, and generational restoration. A big part of that was centering Black women, who statistically suffer the most across every category—whether it’s maternal mortality, sexual assault, or systemic neglect. We carry so much unspoken trauma in our bodies, especially in our wombs. I wanted to be a safe space for us. But what I didn’t realize at the time is that being a safe space also means holding the weight of others’ pain.

And energy? It doesn’t die—it gets transferred or transmuted. So while I was pouring into others, I was unintentionally absorbing everything. That emotional heaviness began to affect my mental and spiritual health in a big way. I had to step back, not because the work didn’t matter, but because I had to learn how to protect and replenish myself.

Then came the next chapter—teaching myself how to DJ. I was broke, emotionally depleted, and starting from scratch with just my phone and the Djay Pro app. No controller, no connections, no roadmap. And in an era where social media rewards clout over authenticity, it’s easy to feel invisible when you’re sharing your process instead of the final product. But I’m not here to impress—I’m here to inspire. I want people to see the real journey, not just the highlight reel.

And honestly, one of the biggest obstacles has been me. That’s the part people don’t always talk about. Staying positive when things aren’t moving fast enough? That’s a battle. Bringing something of substance into the world requires accountability, discipline, and discernment. You have to watch what you consume, be mindful of the energy around you, and resist the urge to operate from a place of lack or desperation. It’s learning how to accept rejection without letting it define you. It’s knowing when to say no, even when it’s uncomfortable.

This path has tested me—but it’s also taught me how to transmute my own energy. To turn pressure into purpose, and doubt into drive. And that’s what keeps me going.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At my core, I’m a storyteller—and DJing is my language. I specialize in curating soundscapes that feel like a journey. Whether I’m spinning African-influenced house, deep house, afrohouse, amapiano, or blending afrobeats, R&B, and soul, I don’t just play tracks—I translate emotion. I want people to leave my sets feeling seen, free, and spiritually fed.

What I’m most proud of is how I’ve carved my own lane, on my own terms. In a world where so many follow prescribed paths, I’ve stayed true to my unique vision, building a sound and style that’s authentically me. It’s not about fitting into a mold—it’s about owning your space and energy, no matter what.

What sets me apart is my purpose-driven approach. I don’t just want to entertain—I want to empower, heal, and inspire. I bring my background in wellness into the DJ booth, blending music with the intention of creating safe, transformative spaces for everyone in the room. I’m also proud to be the first fully Black female DJ to launch a career across Asia, with L.A. always being my anchor. My sound is rooted in both my West African heritage and my West Coast upbringing, and that fusion makes my work as unique as my journey.

I love collaborating with other creatives—whether that’s artists, fashion brands, musicians, chefs, or fitness gurus. I believe that music can be the connective tissue that brings all of these crafts together, and I’m always looking for ways to fuse them into something greater. Whether it’s creating the soundtrack to an immersive event or enhancing someone’s personal experience, I’m always looking for new ways to weave my music into the fabric of different creative worlds.

I’m building a platform that bridges music, healing, and identity—and I’m doing it with a commitment to authenticity, innovation, and pushing boundaries. I’m not here to just play tracks; I’m here to create an experience.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I’ve had so many incredible people along the way who’ve helped me get to where I am today. Each of them has played a pivotal role in my journey, and I’m deeply grateful for their support.

My mother, of course, has been a rock in my life. Her unwavering belief in education, empowerment, and staying grounded in my values has shaped how I approach everything—from my work in wellness to my career in DJing. She’s the one who taught me that success is built on perseverance and integrity.

Then there’s my friend Dolce, who’s been one of my biggest emotional supporters. Dolce has this incredible way of pulling me out of any low-vibration energy I might get stuck in. Whether I’m facing self-doubt or struggling with a setback, she never allows me to stay in that space. She’s the one who always reminds me to rise above, keep my head up, and stay focused on the bigger picture. Her energy has been an anchor for me, especially in those moments when I needed someone to help me reconnect with my purpose.

Another person I must mention is my manager, Adriana Romeo. Adriana has brought structure to my creative chaos. As an artist, it’s easy to get lost in the flow and forget the practical side of things, but Adriana has been instrumental in providing the guidance, organization, and strategy I needed to build and maintain momentum. She’s helped me see how important it is to balance passion with professionalism, and her expertise has been invaluable in pushing me forward in this industry.

These three women, along with many others who’ve been there for me in different ways, have shaped my path. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their wisdom, encouragement, and belief in me.

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