Today we’d like to introduce you to Naomi Ivy.
Hi Naomi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a multidisciplinary creative and first responder from St. Louis, Missouri. I got my start in photography during early childhood and have been taking pictures for as long as I can remember. My journey into DJing began with teaching myself iMovie and experimenting with music edits. As my skills and confidence grew, I transitioned to the edjing app on my phone before eventually getting my hands on a CDJ controller.
If I’m being honest, I’m still not entirely sure how I got to where I am today. I’d say it’s been so fast and unexpected but overall, I’d say it’s been combination of support from my peers and community, word of mouth, curiosity, and consistently putting myself out there—even when I wasn’t sure what the hell I was doing. Each experience has helped shape me in ways I would’ve never imagined.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
NO. It has been one of the bumpiest, wildest rides that I’ve ever embarked on. One of my biggest challenges has been balancing creativity with the realities of everyday life. Like many artists, I’ve had to learn how to pursue my passions while working a full-time job and managing the responsibilities that come with adulthood. There have been periods where I felt stretched thin, exhausted, or unsure if I had the energy or resources to create at all. Monetizing my art was another struggle I encountered. At the time, it felt like the moment I put a price tag on my creativity, the fun was no longer there and it was an obligation.
I’ve also struggled with self-doubt, creative blocks, and depressive episodes that made it difficult to see and trust my own vision. I even had a period of years where it felt like I had completely lost my spark. Over time, I’ve learned that creativity isn’t always about constant productivity. Sometimes it’s about giving yourself grace, stepping away gracefully, and allowing yourself to be inspired again.
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?
As a multidisciplinary creative, my work spans photography, DJing, cultural curation, and a whole bunch of other things. While each discipline allows me to express myself differently, they all share a common thread of creating experiences that help people feel seen, connected, and beautiful. I would say that I’m known for my documentary style of photography and my “flips” when it comes to DJing.
Photography was my first creative love and taught me how to capture stories and moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. DJing came much later and opened up a new way for me to tell stories through sound, emotion, and cultural resonance. Whether I’m behind a camera or behind a set of decks, I’m always thinking about how people experience a moment and what feeling they’ll take away from it.
What I’m most proud of is my ability to remain authentic while continuing to evolve. I didn’t come from a traditional creative background, and much of what I know has been self-taught through curiosity and experimentation. I believe what sets me apart is my perspective. Between having deep Southern roots, working in EMS, and just simply being a Black woman, I have so many different perspectives of human existence that shape my creativity.
More than anything, I want my work to feel genuine. Whether through an image, a mix, or a conversation, my goal is to create something that resonates and immortalizes people (and places).
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
As a self-proclaimed high roller, I love a good risk. That being said, I’ve crapped out a few times and had to learn that there is a difference between reckless risks and calculated risks.
Some of the biggest risks I’ve taken have been creative ones. Putting my work out into the world, saying yes to opportunities before feeling ready or even having the resources, teaching myself new skills, and trusting my instincts have all required a certain level of faith. There is always the possibility of failure, criticism, or things simply not working out the way you imagined.
I think a lot of people assume risk taking means being fearless, but for me it’s usually the opposite. Most of the meaningful risks I’ve taken happened while I was scared as shit, uncertain, or doubting myself. The risk came into play by still going through with it, not knowing how things would turn out.
My philosophy is that discomfort is a key sign of growth. Some of the best things that have happened in my life came from decisions that were extremely risky. Whether it was stepping into emergency medicine, sharing my creative work publicly, or pursuing opportunities that felt bigger than me, I’ve learned that I would rather take a calculated risk than spend years wondering what could have happened.
Not every risk pays off, but even the ones that don’t usually leave behind a lesson, a connection, or a new perspective. To me, that’s still a worthwhile return on investment…most of the time.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghettogoldtapes/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ghettogoldtapes
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/naythizzle_mp3
