Today we’d like to introduce you to Lesli Sparkman-Williams
Hi Lesli, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Born in Texas and raised in rough-and-tumble ways by a family that called sensitivity a weakness, music became my refuge. In a world where alcoholism and abuse were the norm, I found solace in sound—turning to records, cassettes, and radio waves to build my own reality.
At 11, I was already stacking my babysitting money to buy music, marking Tuesdays for new releases and crafting mixtapes on my double-cassette boombox. I was the kid introducing friends to “new” music, & later the teenager digging through liner notes, checking out records from the library, calling oldies stations to track down songs, and hunting for the original samples behind hip-hop beats.
Eclectic from the start, my growing collection was more than just music—it was freedom. Now, as a DJ who spins vinyl spells, I channel that same magic into every set, weaving together sounds that tell stories, heal wounds, and transport listeners to new dimensions.
That passion has not gone unnoticed. The city honored me with a day dedicated in my name, a recognition of the cultural impact I’ve made through music, education, and community work. Beyond the turntables, I have mentored young people & aspiring djs of all ages and levels, teaching them not just about beats and breaks, but about the power of music as a tool for healing, self-expression, nerdy history and resistance. Whether I’m in the booth or sharing skills, my mission remains the same—to share the magic of sound, inspire others to create their own sonic spells.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I started 20 years ago, it was folks (mostly men on the scene) not thinking I knew as much as I did, or had the skills and selection before they heard me or gave me a chance. I had only heard of one other woman dj in town after I first started- & she moved. The dj scene was definitely a boys club. Though, there was one SXSW back then where a model was hired to fake deejay (my friend rented their turntables for that gig) so there was a lot of weird, and dumb ideas around beauty and brains and skill- that got in my way as I began to navigate getting gigs. At first that was intimidating annoying and frustrating, but the more I played the more I let my sets speak for themselves and that slowly began to change for me in Austin.
Now as a woman in my early 50s, its more like- do I tell people my age? (oops just did!) not because I am insecure about that at all, but I don’t want folks putting their stereotypes on me. I feel like it can be very different for men- the age thing. I know there are gigs I would be great for where I am not chosen, and it does seem it’s because I am of a certain age and gender. I really try to not let any of those ruminations get in my brain. and I still let my sets speak for themselves, and let the stereotypes fall away. It’s so fun when folks are surprised by me when I spin.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I spin vinyl deejay sets from a big ol’ deep and diverse collection of wax that i have collected throughout my lifetime. Music that folks have heard in my sets: hip hop (golden age, southern, old school & more); funk, soul, disco, boogie, old school country & blues, jazz, house, Afro beats, grunge, punk and even poetry.
I have done all kinds of themed sets: Prince, Nina Simone, Rick James, Teena Marie, Fela, Michael Jackson, 90s rap, Ladies of the 80s, 2000s middle school dance party, Motown, Studio 54, Blues, BBQ country, Cookout R&B, and more.
I love a vinyl assignment, and I love curating custom sets when I am sharing a bill with musicians and bands.
Kool Keith, The B52s, Leo Nocentelli of the Meters, Brittany Howard, Big Freedia, and Adrian Quesada are a few of the folks I have curated custom sets around and with whom I’ve shared stages.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
All vinyl first thing! I manually beat match most of my sets, so songs are organized & blended by tempo for a seamless soundtrack, smooth vibes, and fun transitions for the dancefloor. It’s part order and math, part history, and part whimsical improvisation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://djmahealani.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djmahealani/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/DJ-Mahealani/100063605809726/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dj-mahealani-lesli-sparkman-williams-78761152/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@djmahealani/featured
- Other: https://www.mixcloud.com/djmahealani/
