Who is DJ Tryfe, the Kamala Harris rally performer?

DJ Tryfe explores the unique intersectionality of music and politics.

His name is DJ Tryfe. He’s a native Dallasite, a two-time Howard University graduate, a political activist for the LGBTQ community, and an acclaimed DJ. During the peak of the 2024 presidential campaign, in the latter half of October, Tryfe performed at one of the biggest presidential rallies put on by the Democratic Party. Tryfe DJed for a Kamala Harris rally with 30,000 people in the stadium and 8 million streaming. The rally went live on all major news networks and featured a guest endorsement and performance by Beyonce.

Upon discussing the performance, Tryfe gushed, “I walked out into that stadium with one goal: to make everyone feel the joy and excitement I had about voting for [Kamala Harris]. I lead with joy and everyone gave it right back to me. Thank you for all the notes of love.” Tryfe further elaborated that his goal was to imbue his set with love, incepting a palpable effect on the audience and all those excited about the possibility of a female president. 

This was not his first performance as what he coined to be “America’s DJ,” but rather Tryfe recently DJed at the Magazine White House Correspondents dinner after party for Time Magazine. Tryfe was ecstatic to continue and deepen his unique niche and perform for a room of 800 political insiders. Tryfe also DJed behind the scenes for the DNC and campaigning events in Chicago. Tryfe’s most publicized performance, however, was a pride event at the White House hosted by the First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden. During this event, Tryfe could be seen mixing with a diverse, overjoyed crowd dancing upon the White House lawn. When speaking about the event, Tryfe said, “It was a dream that I could have never imagined.” 

Although most DJs steer clear of politics, Tryfe spins full speed ahead, championing his identity as a member of the LGBTQ community and graduate of an HBCU. Although Kamala Harris will not be the 47th president of the United States, Tryfe’s journey playing with the juxtaposition of different worlds is surely not over.