The Philly Places and Things DJ Diamond Kuts Can’t Live Without
From her favorite vegan doughnuts to the embellished jacket she wore on Good Morning America.
DJ Diamond Kuts. Photograph by Jauhien Sasnou
DJ Diamond Kuts is Philly music royalty: She was the first female mixer to get a slot on Power 99, she’s spun with Nicki Minaj, and she still shuts down clubs. But before all that, she was Tina Dunham of West Oak Lane. Here, the stuff she can’t live without.
Favorite Things
Item I wear every day: A gold necklace with my son Aiden’s name on it. I never take it off.
The necklace DJ Diamond Kuts wears every day. Photograph by Jauhien Sasnou
Piece of clothing: Pants from Philly’s Mind of Cool Rumors. The designer, BZ Gudda, makes creative, dope pieces.
Local designers: Milano Di Rouge. I love her drive. Torture, SheShe, and also Nicole’s Fury, who designed the jacket I wore on Good Morning America. I like supporting local talent.
The jacket DJ Diamond Kuts wore on Good Morning America. Photograph by Jauhien Sasnou
Recent purchase: A pair of Nike Undercover Daybreaks.
Favorite hair salon: I have two: E’tae Hair Salon in Wyncote and Bounc’n and Behaving in West Philly.
DJ Diamond Kuts’ Nikes. Photograph by Jauhien Sasnou
Person I admire: My mom. She taught me to be respectful, to be respected, and to hustle.
At Home
Prized possessions: My pictures with Patti LaBelle and Barack Obama. I’ve had three opportunities to play for him. He takes his time when he talks to you. I love being in his presence.
DJ Diamond Kuts with President Barack Obama. Photograph by Jauhien Sasnou
I collect: Funko Pop characters. I always pick up a new evil Disney villain. They’re my favorite characters.
On my playlist: My go-to is a gospel playlist I created. My industry can be stressful, so I like to listen to something uplifting.
DJ Diamond Kuts’s laptop and keyboard. Photograph by Jauhien Sasnou
Last books I read: Charlamagne Tha God’s Shook One and Becoming, by Michelle Obama.
On my desk: My laptop and a small Arturia keyboard.
DJ Diamond Kuts’ pug, Zoey. Photograph by Jauhien Sasnou
My pets: We have four fish, two turtles, and a pug named Zoey.
Out and About
Favorite workout: My friend Delisa Roman hosts pop-up classes. She instructs, and I do the music. Watching the girls work out makes me feel like I’m working out, and I’m fine with that.
Favorite indulgence: The vegan chocolate chip cookies at Whole Foods. I’d say I’m 96 percent vegan. I used to eat cheesesteaks every week.
Project I’m currently working on: An EP called Another Club. It’s club music — in Philly, we call that party music.
DJ Diamond Kuts loves Dottie’s Donuts. Photograph by Jauhien Sasnou
Favorite bar: I know I’m going to lose cool points for this, but I don’t drink.
Favorite restaurant: Dottie’s Donuts are so good. I also love All the Way Live in Germantown; I get a nut burger and sea moss drink.
Last vacation: Disney World. I go every single year.
Published as “Keep Playing That Song” in the November 2019 issue of Philadelphia magazine.
