DJ Shawna

DJ Shawna first came onto our radar a few months ago, when she was named as the official DJ for Marquette Women’s Basketball. However, we really got to know her when she filled in last minute at our most recent “An Evening With” show at The Tonic Tavern. Not only does she throw down on the 1’s and 2’s with ease, but she also has a very interesting background that ultimately brought her to Milwaukee. Get to know DJ Shawna with our interview below:

B&E: Introduce yourself! Who are you?

DJ Shawna: Hi Breaking and Entering! I am DJ Shawna, Shawna Nicols, a DJ from Milwaukee trying to make this a better place through music and my clothing line with the movement #DareToBe. From having residencies in Milwaukee, Chicago, Madison, and Louisville at some point in my career and even DJing while living in Europe, I take pride in my profession and bringing love, attitude, and passion every single night. I have been fortunate to DJ for thousands of people at Red Bull events, private events, festivals, and I have worked with nationally known DJs. Every year continues to get more exciting!

B&E: How did you get your start as a DJ?

DJ Shawna: I started DJing over a decade ago after I finished my undergrad at UW-Madison. The group of people I spent the most time with hung out often in bars and clubs, so as a non-drinker, admittedly, I got quite bored. I started playing with turntables and haven’t looked back since!

B&E: You’ve become the official DJ of Marquette Women’s Basketball. How did that connection come about?

DJ Shawna: As a former professional basketball player and UW Badger, basketball is a huge part of my world. The head coach at Marquette, Carolyn Kieger, is a friend of mine. We share a similar passion for the game that has given us both incredible opportunities, so when she called and asked me to be their home game DJ, host/emcee, and bring energy to make The Al McGuire Center one of the best venues in the country, it was pretty easy to say yes!

B&E: What types of music do you like to spin most? Or is it a mix of everything?

DJ Shawna: When I spin my main objective is to make everyone else happy. I don’t view DJing as an event that is about me and what music I want to hear; it’s about the people in front of me that choose to come to that particular event and my job is to make it an event to remember that is talked about for days. With that, I am an open-format DJ with an emphasis on hip-hop, pop, and EDM.

B&E: In your experience, what’s your favorite aspect of the Milwaukee music scene?

DJ Shawna: Milwaukee has SO much talent, from the plethora of DJ’s alone, not to mention all of the incredibly talented live musicians, dancers, theatre, and festivals! This city is constantly growing and inspires me daily to step out of my comfort zone so I, too, can continue to grow and inspire.

B&E: Lastly, where can people come see you spin?

DJ Shawna: Check out the website! www.djshawna.com. We keep the shows updated; while you’re there check out the ‘Store’ and take a peek around! Also, you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter all @djShawna! #DareToBe - Breaking & Entering

Shawna Nicols – aka DJ Shawna – started her music career after she graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2005.

"I've always been fascinated by hip-hop and the hip-hop culture, so naturally, turntables caught my eye as soon as I saw them," says Nicols.

Nicols' first gig – and only gig for the first two years of her DJing career – was at Walker's Pint every Saturday night.

"I'm extremely lucky to have worked with and learned from one of Milwaukee's best DJs for two years, the late, great DJ Rock Dee," says Nicols. "Rock Dee was the resident DJ on Saturday nights, and he would let me open for him before the crowds started flooding in. Being new to the industry, it was an excellent opportunity for me to experiment, fail and build upon my craft before starting to book larger gigs."

DJ Rock Dee, a legendary turntablist and 88Nine Radio Milwaukee DJ, passed away in 2008.

"To this day, I still find myself shaking my head and smiling when I think back at how much he taught me," says Nicols. "Those two years were some of the best of my life, and it was an opportunity I will never forget."

Nicols still serves as the house DJ at The Pint today and has worked at just about every major club/bar in Milwaukee. She is also the official DJ of Marquette Women's basketball.



Recently, she signed on with a talent management company, Karben Studios in Chicago.

"I'm extremely excited to see what the future holds, and hope to add more cities and countries to my resume," she says.

Nicols describes herself as "an open format DJ with a knack for being able to read a crowd." Nicols has DJ'd all over the Midwest, including Madison, Chicago, Minneapolis and Iowa. She also held residencies in Tennessee and Kentucky and DJ'd in The Netherlands.

"My heart loves hip-hop; however, I have no shame dropping my favorite boy-band song at peak hour and hearing everyone sing along," she says.

Nicols has always played basketball and is now an elite basketball trainer who has also played professional basketball overseas. She recently launched a clothing line/brand that was a desire of hers for many years. The brand's logo, a stick figure and heart, has deep meaning to Nicols.

"I have always felt I was supposed to be doing something to make people smile, to help make this world a little better than before I was here," she says. "Music is such an incredible medium that has no boundaries or rules, and I would love an opportunity to share and spread the love. My manager and myself have been working on spreading that love through music and DJing events."

For years, Nicols encouraged her fans to "Dare to Be Great" and, in conjunction with her clothing, launched a movement #DareToBe to challenge people to share their stories of what they "Dare to Be" in life.

"I want to inspire people to step out of their comfort zones and #DareToBe whatever has been burning in them for years," she says.

Nicols grew up in Milwaukee and today lives and works in Downtown Milwaukee. She sports a "414" tattoo on her body.

"I am so proud to be from Milwaukee and love showing our city off, especially given how proud I am of my mom, Beth Weirick, (who is the executive director of Milwaukee Downtown B.I.D. #21) and her contribution to the growth and development of this great city," she says. "With that, I hope to do my small part as a DJ and with #DareToBe to continue moving forward with Milwaukee and would love to help continue to 'put it on the map' when it comes to drawing positive attention to the 414."

To find out more about #DareToBe follow DJ Shawna on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter – all @djShawna. - OnMilwaukee

Shawna Nicols, better known as DJ Shawna, is one of the Midwest's premier open format DJs. She has attributed her skill and passion for - 88.9 Radio Milwaukee

DJ Shawna performs at the PrideFest Milwaukee Dance Pavilion Saturday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Shawna Nicols, better known as dj Shawna, is one of the Midwest’s premier open format DJs.

With nearly a decade of experience, it’s no surprise that she can effortlessly bring any room together with her high energy mixes that keep crowds engaged, wanting more, and going home with a night to remember.

From having residencies in Milwaukee, Chicago, Madison, and Louisville at some point in her career and even djing while living in Europe, dj Shawna takes pride in her profession and bringing love, attitude, and passion every single night.

Shawna has DJed for thousands of people from RedBull events, private events, festivals, and has worked with nationally known DJs. Every year continues to get more exciting.

Be sure to keep your eyes and ears on dj Shawna!

Connect with DJ Shawna on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. - Pride Milwaukee

DJ Shawna learned from the best. Some of her earliest gigs were at Walker’s Pint in the mid-’00s, opening for Milwaukee’s late DJ Rock Dee, and she shares Dee’s gift for working crowds. These days her reach extends far beyond Walker’s Pint—she performs her houses mixes at clubs all over the city, and has become a favorite of local sports teams, spinning for the Brewers, the Bucks and the Marquette women’s basketball team. (Evan Rytlewski) - Shepherd Express