Celebrities You Didn’t Know Are Also DJs

If you want to throw a really great party, you’re going to need a really great DJ. We’re huge fans of dance music, and we love to celebrate everything remix-related!

Also known as disc jockeys, DJs can play everywhere, from radio stations to clubs and even weddings. With their turntables, mixers, and headphones in tow, there’s no vibe these musicians can’t work with. Plenty of familiar faces have risen to fame as DJs, such as Skrillex and Calvin Harris. But did you know about the celebs who DJ in addition to their main career?

Spinning the decks at some of the world’s biggest electronic music events, these celebrities have definitely made their mark on the DJing world! Read on to discover some of the best-known names in the industry.

Stream bpm (ch. 51) on the SXM App for the biggest dance hits

Idris Elba

Idris Elba is best known for his hugely successful acting career, with critically acclaimed roles in shows and movies such as Luther, The Wire, and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. However, acting isn’t his only talent — he’s also a total pro on the decks! Performing as DJ Big Driis, this star has truly established his name in the DJing world, both on and off-screen. In 2019, Idris used his real-life DJ skills in the Netflix comedy series Turn Up Charlie, in which he played a struggling DJ — a far cry from reality! 2019 also saw Idris headline Coachella for the first time, a feat he will be repeating this summer. As if that wasn’t enough, the actor also had the honor of DJing at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, proving just how multi-talented he is.

Check out one of his legendary mixtapes below, and then dance on over to BPM (Ch. 51) to hear more from some of the biggest names in dance and electronic music.

Shaquille O’Neal

We all know Shaquille O’Neal best for his successful career in the NBA, but the basketball star has also been mixing since the ’80s! Performing under the name DJ Diesel, Shaq first began DJing during his time studying business at Louisiana State University. The fun certainly didn’t stop there: since 2018, Shaq has hosted an annual festival known as Shaq’s Fun House. Held on the Friday before the Super Bowl, the festival is always located in the same city as the big game. With 2023’s festival boasting big names such as Snoop Dogg and Diplo, Shaq clearly knows how to host a party! Fun fact: he has also released four hip-hop albums, debuting with Shaq Diesel in 1993.

Here’s Shaq’s 2022 set at Lost Lands Festival! For even more party vibes, check out Diplo’s Revolution (Ch. 52).

Kristian Nairn

Best known for playing Hodor in the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones, Kristian Nairn has been a DJ for far longer than he has been an actor, having DJed for over twenty years. Specializing in progressive house and trance, Kristian has spent some time as the resident DJ at Kremlin, a gay nightclub located in Belfast. Since Game of Thrones began, he’s even toured as a DJ with “Rave of Thrones,” using costumes and music from the show. We’d hold the door open for him to DJ for us any time!

Watch Kristian play a killer set below, and enjoy more trance and progressive dance over at A State of Armin (Ch. 736).

Paris Hilton

Socialite by day, DJ by night! Performing under her own name, Paris Hilton’s DJing career began in 2012 at the Brazil Pop Music Festival and has gone from strength to strength ever since. In 2013, Paris won Best Breakthrough DJ at the NRJ DJ Awards, and the following year, she went on tour, performing thirteen shows from Spain to South Korea. She’s also DJed at the iconic Tomorrowland in Belgium, one of the biggest electronic dance festivals in the world. Most recently, she took to the decks at the 2023 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions Concert Series. The all-female line-up also featured Ellie Goulding and Maren Morris — talk about girl power!

If Paris’ Tomorrowland set below has you ready to bop ’til you drop, listen to Steve Aoki’s Remix Radio (Ch. 735) for non-stop remixes chosen by the famous DJ himself.

For more dance music galore, SiriusXM has got you covered. Check out our full list of channels here!