Mz DJ Tone is at home setting the tone for skaters in the Chicago area including Lynwood Skate Center and Rich City Skate (below)

By Sydney Blaylock

DJ Tone got her start in 2007 from her father, also a DJ and proprietor of Stanley Music Services, beginning as an assistant & roadie setting up and breaking down equipment for private functions, weddings and family events as well as occasionally covering the music during breaks.

In the spring of 2009, DJ Tone set and accomplished the personal goal of acquiring tighter blending and mixing skills. Cataloging her successes in such a short time, DJ Tone has shed her student persona and donned a professional undertone that has been waiting to burst on the scene. It is with this success that she has gained a residency as the only female DJ at Lynwood Skate Center in Lynwood, IL, which has not prevented her from continuously booking private events as a solo DJ and alongside her father with Stanley Music Services.

In 2009, DJ Tone began to guest appear as a DJ in a few of the local skating rinks with her mentor DJ T-Mac at MLK Entertainment Center and The Rink with DJs DMC, CJ, T-Rell and Young Shadow, both in the Chicago area. DJ Tone has successfully launched her own interactive internet radio show Chicago Skate Radio which showcases the talent of local producers within the skate community such as Keezo Kane, DJ T-Rell, ShaPro Style, and D. Millz gaining the sponsorship of SkateFam.com.

Chicago Skate Radio also has several followers & over 100+ listeners consistently tuning in weekly to get their virtual skate on. In December, DJ Tone began to co-host alongside Demetrius DJ Spin Seabrooks of Los Angeles via Atlanta on his live internet radio show during the Friday Weekend Warm-up Mix, which has hundreds of followers both locally and internationally.

Who is Mzdj Tone? Who is Toni Stanley? Are they two totally different individuals or the same?

Mz DJ Tone is a driven music lover and businesswoman, Toni Stanley however is the woman behind the career; mother, wife, daughter and friend. They are the same, but at times they can be totally different! Tone only focuses on her career and if not controlled will fail to prioritize and put family and other important things at the bottom of the list. Tone also isn't afraid to make an enemy. Toni is more politically correct and caring and is family oriented.

At times of struggle and discomfort, what is something that uplifts your spirit?

My God & my children! They remind me of the simpler things in life and that what I do as a DJ is not as important as being a mother. Them, my husband and Jehovah God are who I turn to when I can’t deal with the rest of the world.

Everyone has addictions; name some of yours?

Skating & food - if you offer either, IM THERE, NO QUESTIONS ASKED!!! LOL When I'm not head deep in music, I scrapbook. I'm currently working on my 3rd, ready to start a 4th.

What exactly sparked your interest in music?

Definitely my parents! I loved to listen to my mom sing around the house and my dad play his records when I was younger. I used to sneak and play them while he was at work until he bought me a keyboard. I taught myself how to read sheet music and play classical music and from there my love of music evolved from making mixed CDs for friends to playing live for friends and family.

What is it like being the young lady in the DJ booth?

It's different! It's cool because female DJs are still rare and I love the look on people's faces when they realize that I'm not there to just hang out in the booth, but to actually put in work. But it's downsides are constantly having to prove that I'm worth being recognized in a male dominated field and maintaining respect as a woman who doesn't use her sexuality to get what she wants. Sometimes my peers can be just as brutal as my customers.

If you could partake in any other profession besides music what would it be?

I'd do volunteer work if I didn’t have to worry about income. I love helping people. And maybe I'd start a blog or two to try out journalism, just for fun.

How has your involvement within the roller-skating community impacted your life?

I've never traveled this much before in my life, and in this year alone I'm grateful to be able to say I’ve been to this city or state and do something that's never been done before in my family/ It's amazing to get to meet and get to know so many people in so many places and it's taught me to value my relationships and to be more straight-forward, genuine and unbiased in everything I do, inside and outside the roller skating community.

If you could name three influential people in your life who would they be?

My father, because I have his personality!!! He's straight up and honest and stern with me to protect me and keep me in-line. I don’t know what I'd do without him.

My husband who is my exact opposite; he keeps me grounded when I attempt to fly away and despite all my flaws he loves me like there's nothing wrong it me
My Aunt Mary, because she's understands who I am and is able to bring me back to earth and reason with me to help better me.

What kind of image to wish to display for young women?

I hope to be able to show young women that you don’t have to be caught up in the media stereotypes, have a man or spouse, be sexually suggestive all the time or rude and vulgar to get what you want, where you want to be in life and be successful or happy.