When I first heard Lovell “DJ Vell” Ballard playing, it was somewhere in Chicago – probably at the HollaBack Thursday sets at the Grand Ballroom. I enjoyed the vibe and music, and he is one of my favorite DJs. His music was appealing and made me want to dance, but he was the most serious DJ I’d ever seen on the box. When I had a chance to break bread with him at one of Willie Bell’s breakfasts, that broke the ice. Every time I see him now, he smiles. I was so excited to see him as the guest DJ for Chicken Wang’s First Friday Set in Atlanta, Georgia last year. He surely has not disappointed me any time he has come to Atlanta. Thank you for the time for this interview and Happy birthday to you DJ Vell!
About DJ Vell
DJ Vell, originally a hip hop DJ, is from the Westside of Chicago. He discovered Chicago Stepping when he watched and went to the sets as a child. He began playing at sober sets in 1997 at Fifth City on the West Side of Chicago – a location prime for Chicago Stepping. Clean and sober sets, aimed at providing a safe space for recovering addicts, featured no alcohol and offered a social outlet through music and dance to help them to stay clean. He started playing stepping music because stepping was very popular at the time.
Although not in recovery, a friend introduced DJ Vell to sober sets and that began this part of his journey as a DJ playing at Fifth City. His exposure to this scene not only broadened his musical repertoire but also connected him with promoters who came to promote their events at the stepper sets and recognized his talent. They listened and liked what he was doing. DJ Vell’s passion for DJing started for him very young, around 1994-1995, fueled by his childhood experiences of attending similar music events. For him, DJing was more than a profession—it started as a cherished hobby he was passionate about that brought joy to others.
“I love people really feeling the music, singing to the music. Seeing the smiles on their faces.”
DJ Vell
What is the best part about being a DJ for Steppers?
The best part about being a stepping DJ to me is making the money first and second when I do, I get a whole lot of access to a whole lot of things. For example, for an out of town event everything is all expenses paid which is great. Third, you meet a lot of people – a lot of people I never thought I would have met before.
Why haven’t I seen you in many cities DJing outside of Chicago until now?
It’s funny how you only noticed me in Atlanta, but I have been pretty much everywhere beyond Atlanta to DJ for steppers. At first I was not taking events. I was keeping gigs in Chicago a whole lot. I would not neglect my Chicago gigs to go out of town. And one day I just felt it was something different I wanted to do that would take me to another level and I started taking the out of town gigs after that. We are all looking to go to a higher level. For example, Kid Capri – Russell Simmons discovered him and he was becoming like Simmons’ personal disc jockey. That’s something to get to and he’s working with celebrities. That is more money, more promotion, and it’s easier. It all depends on what you are in it for. I am in it for the money.
Are you a part of any social groups?
Yes. Higher Level. This group was also based on being clean and sober. Our set has been going on for 20+ years on every 3rd Saturday the month. These are the same clean and sober sets where I started at Fifth City and then Purcell Hall going from 8pm – 2am. We don’t use Purcell Hall anymore since COVID, but sometimes we are at the Grand Ballroom. The energy at this set can surprise you. Many people not in recovery show up for that set. Old School, New School, older crowd, but generally there is no one under 30-35 years of age. We are still on the third Saturday of every month – just in different locations.
About Higher Level
Higher Level started out as a simple Group formerly known as “KLM Productions” Kyle, Michael and Lovell. First Set held at Mason Hall 5323 W. Lake Street in 1996. Targeting the Recovery Community Giving them Hope, Self Esteem, A Place to go and having fun without the use of Drugs & Alcohol. Continuing at Fifth City Community Center from 1996-1999. After leaving there started in October 1999 @ PURCELL HALL 4300 W. WASHINGTON BLVD where they never looked back. DJ VELL Musical Engineer and Mr. Kyle Master of Ceremony. HIGHER LEVEL moves around to places such GRAND BALLROOM, NIKKOS, SABRE ROOM, GLENDORA HOUSE, MR. G’S AND HOST OF OTHER PLACES THAT’S STILL IN OPERATION. However PURCELL HALL IS THE BASE. AND KYLE AND DJ VELL ARE STILL TOGETHER. EVERY 3RD SATURDAY.
And, MVK, which is Mona, Vell, and Keith who host the Stepping and Walking set at Nobel Entertainment Center (formerly The Dorchester) weekly on Thursdays in Dolton, Illinois.
What would most people be surprised to know about you?
Most people look at me as an unapproachable guy. A lot of people say that I have a mean look which is probably so but that does not mean that I am mean. I am an easy going guy. I like to have a lot of fun. If you get to know me, you see me as someone very different. I love joking. I love smiling. I am a joyful guy. I get along with everybody. I love everybody. Most people that know me, know who I am. Once you know me, you know me.
The people who don’t really know me, view me as a different type of guy because of how I look. I am more of a standoffish guy. A few guys approached me and have said, “Get that mean look off your face.” Some ladies ask me, “Why do you look so mean?” After a conversation, that smile shows up. It’s just something that comes with me, that comes from my era and where I come from. That’s all that is. Nothing else. I’m a real nice guy.
Name three songs that you would play to keep the dance floor crowded.
- Life in the Country – Ebony
- So In Love with You – Leroy Hutson
- Fading – O’Jays
Every time I play any of those songs, the floor is packed immediately without a doubt. Younger generations love these songs. Older generations love these songs. People who don’t know anything about stepping enjoy these songs. These work because of the variety of the whole group that is interested in listening to any of these three songs.
If you could, what would you change about the steppers set?
It probably would not be the music. If I could change it, I would want for steppers to never turn down an individual as far as Stepping. Most of the generation coming up don’t know how to step. The older generation should not turn down anyone – that is a choice. A lot of that is going on. Most of the people who already know how to step only step with certain people and don’t want to pick up the newer steppers and teach them and show them. Everyone one of us was at that new point at some time.
What difference will it make?
New steppers won’t come back if they are being rejected. You don’t want that. People are getting older and the younger generation are coming up to take over. If you reject them, stepping will eventually be deleted because they will leave and not return. You don’t want that. People complain about that today. They come and spend their money but they don’t get dances, they get rejected – a lot of women especially. I would change that if I could. If anyone asks you to step, don’t reject them. People want to dance.
Is there any city or state that you want to go to DJ for steppers that you have not been to?
A lot of people know my name, but they don’t know my face. I have not been to Houston, Texas yet. Dallas and Houston are totally different and I have been to Dallas a few times. Virginia. I have been to Maryland playing a couple of times with Anthony Irving, but not yet to Virginia. I heard they have a nice set up there in Virginia too.
Thank you DJ Vell, for letting us get to know you and for supporting the Chicago Stepping community in several cities. I love how candid you are. There is quite a lineup of upcoming events coming with DJ Vell for you to see him at work. If you hear DJ Vell on the box, I know you will hear some music you can enjoy and step to. And happy birthday to you, DJ Vell!
Upcoming Events for DJ Vell
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HELLO, I AM SONJI
I saw stepping for the first time in Virginia and fell in love with the dance. I started traveling in 2012 and fell in love with the people, culture, and experience. Chicago stepping has taken me across the nation chasing its truths. I enjoy the chase. It has stirred my soul and healed me. These are my travel stories about Stepping.
LEARN TO STEP
- Find an instructor
- Explore the culture
- Enjoy the music
- Chase the experience
- Travel and learn
