This Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting the women DJs holding it down at the Roxy and Soho Grand. We asked Tracy Adams (DJ Monday Blue), Ashley Jayne, Caroline “Carolzilla” Cardenas, Victoria Holt, Bailey Leiter and Nina Tarr to share the songs by women that inspire their sets and keep the dancefloor moving. What came back was something special: a playlist that moves through disco, soul, punk and global grooves — as eclectic and electric as the artists who made them. Dive into the full playlist below, and hear from each DJ about the songs they keep coming back to — and why.

TRACY ADAMS

While my mom and dad were my co-creators, the many wonderful women I’ve been so blessed to know throughout the multitude of phases and moments in my life’s journey (thus far) bolstered the bloom my parents seeded. I’m ever grateful to have been watered so generously. My song selections reflect their unparalleled support and the beautiful, multifaceted nature of all we call women — myself included.

“I’m Every Woman” – Chaka Khan

“Pull Up to the Bumper” – Grace Jones

“Earth Is the Place” – Nathan Haines f/ Verna Francis

“Thank You for Being a Friend” – Cindy Fee

INSTAGRAM: @djmondayblue

PHOTOGRAPHY Jessica Taylor

BAILEY LEITER

I’m always scouring the crates for rare disco, boogie and funk. I especially love French and Italian disco. Women make the best DJs because we’re naturally intuitive, so we’re great at reading a room.

As a female DJ, I think it’s important to lift up other lady DJs and remember there’s room at the table for everyone. I had a lot of opportunities given to me by my girl Alix Brown (featured in my photo), including my residency at Soho Grand, that helped me move ahead in my career a lot faster than I maybe would have. I’ll always be grateful to her for that and try to pay it forward, whether it be giving women who are curious about DJing a free lesson or going out to support others at their sets.

“Music Madness (Extended Version)” – Beckie Bell, Charles Maurice

“I Specialize in Love” – Sharon Brown

“She Can’t Love You” – Chemise

“Histoire d’1 soir (Bye bye les galères)” – Bibi Flash

“Salut les salauds” – Interview

INSTAGRAM: @bailllleyyyy

NINA TARR

My selections reflect the versatile and multidimensional aspects of female vocal artists. All of the specific artists I’ve selected were pioneers in their craft, whether it is the raw and sultry voice of Etta James, the grit and sass of Nancy Sinatra, the commanding and driving sound of The Slits, or iconic Persian folk-pop star Googoosh. Regardless of genre or musical style, these bold and passionate voices have been some of my deepest personal influences and the most impactful storytellers across generations.

“Dream a Little Dream of Me” – The Mamas and the Papas

“It Should Have Been Me” – Yvonne Fair

“Gole Bee Goldoon” – Googoosh

“Stormy Weather” – Etta James

“Lightning’s Girl” – Nancy Sinatra

“I Heard It Through the Grapevine” – The Slits

INSTAGRAM @pizzaparty69

PHOTOGRAPHY Lauren Fay

VICTORIA HOLT 

I first started DJing vinyl in 2015 when I was living in Seattle, and the femme-punk ethos of the city deeply shaped my practice. I was super inspired by my friend Valerie Calano (aka DJ Explorateur), who is a badass DJ and event producer. I joined a femme DJ group called Women Warriors, and they showed me the ropes for my first few gigs. I felt very encouraged when I was first starting out because there were so many talented femme DJs in Seattle, and I rarely felt like it was just a boys’ club or like I couldn’t get started. Seattle has a great history of feminist DIY punk bands and spaces, and many of the venues uphold these values as well.

I loved that I could jump around in a mosh pit to Tacocat, Childbirth, or Wimps one night and spin their records the next, supporting and sustaining a community of femme creatives. I fell in love with disco, indie electronic, and new rave, and wanted to experience where these waves of styles developed, eventually moving to New York City in 2019. I love knowing that I’m walking the same streets as these musical greats, as if the city is imbued with lingering remnants of their genius. I love when I can play a set where I segue from LCD Soundsystem or Soulwax to Giorgio Moroder-produced tracks like Donna Summer or the Three Degrees, exploring the ways dance punk was influenced by disco in the very city where it all happened.

“Cities” – Talking Heads
My dad used to play this when I was a young kid, and he’d always say, “Do you hear that bass, Victoria? That’s a woman!”

“Where Is My Man” – Eartha Kitt
I mean, who can beat the spectacular sass of Eartha? She’s incredible.

“Repeat” – Wimps
This song is emblazoned in my brain as emblematic of my early years DJing in Seattle and going to punk shows. So fun and bouncy and just the right amount of ennui.

“Thinking of You” – Sister Sledge
One of the greatest songs of all time. So romantic and beautiful, and the notes they hit are just gorgeous.

“Nomalizo” – Letta Mbulu
One of the tracks Valerie (DJ Explorateur) used to play every time we DJed together in Seattle. It reminds me of how inspired I used to feel hearing her selections.

INSTAGRAM: @djpepperazzi

CAROLINE “CAROLZILLA” CARDENAS

When choosing music to DJ, I love finding songs that have infectious grooves and catchy, empowering or sensual lyrics, and I enjoy exposing the listener to music they might not often hear on the dancefloor. For Women’s History Month, here are three songs that I like spinning during a Soho Grand Hotel set and that I think capture this criteria, along with the power of womanhood — whether it be a woman in charge, dominating a man, or simply just being a hot bitch on the dancefloor.

“Pillow Talk” – Sylvia Robinson
My first pick is a sultry and slow disco track called “Pillow Talk” by Sylvia Robinson, an empowering song about being a queen and a great selection to play early in the set. Not only is Sylvia an incredible singer with a catalog of songs that empower women, but she is also known as the Queen of Hip-Hop, commercializing the genre from a subculture to a global scale with her productions “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang, both released on her label Sugar Hill Records.

“On Your Knees” – Grace Jones
My second pick is from an icon of empowerment, Grace Jones, who is idolized for her radical, unapologetic approach to expression, breaking barriers with her strength and creativity. This fun and upbeat disco song talks about an issue every woman has faced along the way: a man loving her, breaking her heart, and then trying to come back again. However, instead of taking him back, she expects him to get on his knees and beg for her.

“What It Feels Like for a Girl” – Madonna
Lastly, I loveeee playing house during my Soho Grand late-night sets, and this song by Madonna is just such a smooth, sexy groove that gets people dancing.

INSTAGRAM: @car0zilla 

ASHLEY JAYNE

I am drawn to songs full of soul, funky rhythms, and evocative melodies that feel dreamy or uplifting. I love curating records from around the world, especially Italian and French disco, funk, soul, and global grooves. I love playing music that people can really feel — from songs that serenade a mood to ones that spark joy and make you want to jump out of your seat and dance.

In honor of Women’s History Month, I’d like to share three songs by women that empower and inspire:

“Afro-Harping” – Dorothy Ashby
Hailed as one of the most “unjustly under-loved jazz greats of the 1950s.” As an African American woman in a male-dominated music industry, Ashby faced numerous obstacles while building her career.

“A Far l’Amore Comincia Tu” – Raffaella Carrà
A fun female-empowerment track for the dancefloor. A song about confidence, charisma and bold self-expression.

“Les Fleurs” – Minnie Riperton
I wanted to end this list with this beautiful and poetic song about hope, beauty and rebirth after dark times. Minnie Riperton’s voice feels transcendent, and the message reminds us that even after difficult seasons there are always flowers waiting to bloom.

INSTAGRAM: @ashleyjaynem