Today we’d like to introduce you to LaLa Young.
Hi LaLa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is LaLa Young, but most people know me as DJ Naybahood. I’m the founder of Naybahood Entertainment and the creator of Second Sunday, a monthly event series that’s focused on bringing people together through music, culture, and community.
My journey into DJing wasn’t something I had planned. I fell in love with music and the feeling that a great DJ could completely change the energy of a room. What started as curiosity quickly became an obsession. I spent countless hours teaching myself, practicing, making mistakes, and figuring out what kind of DJ I wanted to be. Over time, I realized I didn’t just want to play music—I wanted to create spaces where people felt like they belonged.
That vision led to Second Sunday. What began as an idea has grown into one of St. Louis’ fastest-growing community-driven events. We intentionally do things differently. We focus on the dance floor instead of sections, community instead of clout, and creating an environment where everyone feels welcome. Every event is built around a unique theme, local creatives, DJs, artists, and vendors, proving that our city has incredible talent worth celebrating.
Building all of this hasn’t been easy. Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve had moments where I questioned whether I was on the right path. There have been financial challenges, long nights balancing a full-time job while building my business, and the pressure that comes with trying to create something meaningful. But every challenge has reinforced why I started in the first place.
Today, my mission is bigger than DJing. Through Naybahood Entertainment, I want to create experiences that people remember, provide opportunities for other creatives, and help rebuild a culture centered around genuine connection. Whether it’s through Second Sunday, my DJ sets, content series, or future projects, my goal is to leave every room better than I found it and show that community is still the heartbeat of great nightlife.
I’m still building, still learning, and still dreaming bigger. This is only the beginning.
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?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced hasn’t been getting into the industry—it has been navigating it as I’ve grown. I’ve been fortunate that my journey into DJing happened pretty naturally because my community believed in me from the beginning. They gave me opportunities, showed up for me, and helped build momentum around what I was creating.
I also understood early on that visibility matters. People are often drawn to what they see others supporting, so I focused on building a genuine brand, consistently showing up, and creating experiences that people wanted to be a part of. As my platform grew, more doors opened.
The flip side of that growth has been dealing with competition and seeing my ideas or creative concepts copied. It can be frustrating to pour so much thought into creating something unique only to watch similar ideas pop up elsewhere. At first, that bothered me, but over time I’ve learned to look at it differently. Creativity can’t be copied—only the idea can. The vision, execution, and the community we’ve built around it are what make it special.
Those experiences have taught me to keep innovating instead of worrying about who’s watching. I stay focused on creating, serving my community, and trusting that authenticity will always outlast imitation.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a DJ, entrepreneur, and community curator based in St. Louis. Through my company, Naybahood Entertainment, I create experiences that bring people together through music, culture, and connection.
While many people know me as DJ Naybahood, my work extends far beyond performing. I produce and market live events, build partnerships with brands and venues, manage creative teams, develop event concepts, and create opportunities for local DJs, artists, vendors, and small businesses to showcase their talents.
As the founder of Second Sunday, a monthly event series that has become known for reimagining nightlife by prioritizing community, creativity, and inclusivity. Every event is intentionally designed to give people more than just a party—it’s an experience where music, art, and culture come together.
At the core of everything I do is the belief that entertainment can build community. Whether I’m behind the DJ booth or behind the scenes planning an event, my goal is always the same: create spaces where people feel seen, connected, and inspired.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamnaybahood
