DJ D-Nice will partner with Houseparty to host a virtual prom next week

DJ D-Nice, whose real name is Derrick Jones, plans to host a virtual prom for students Thursday.

Credit: Donald Traill

Credit: Donald Traill

DJ D-Nice, whose real name is Derrick Jones, plans to host a virtual prom for students Thursday.

Hip-hop DJ and rap legend DJ D-Nice has won over the hearts of thousands while spinning records on Instagram the last few weeks. He is soon set to bring some of that magic to the living rooms of kids who won’t be able to attend a physical prom this year due to COVID-19.

On May 7, DJ D-Nice will partner with social app Houseparty to host a virtual prom for students across the country. The House Party Prom will take place from 8 to 10 p.m. EDT Thursday, May 7.

The deejay, known for his now-ubiquitous Club Quarantine Instagram parties, Houseparty and fellow record-spinner Zack Bia will welcome teenagers to pick their musical theme, take prom photos and, of course, dance the night away from the safety of their homes.

DJ D-Nice, whose real name is Derrick Jones, started his career as a member of hip-hop collective Boogie Down Productions alongside KRS-One, producer Lee Smith and the late Scott La Rock. The New York native would later take his producing skills solo, dropping albums including “Call Me D-Nice.”

Before starting the post-coronavirus pandemic craze of Club Quarantine, he had been touring around the world. On March 17, he came up with the idea of playing music on Instagram Live for what he expected to be his friends and just a couple hundred people, he recently told Rolling Stone. As he continued with the music offerings, which sometimes lasted eight hours, he saw it grow to hundreds of thousands. Everyone from Michelle Obama to Jennifer Lopez "attended" the parties.

“Once we’re able to be able to be together again, I want to pick three cities to actually do a Club Quarantine party live,” Jones told Rolling Stone last month. New York and Los Angeles are in mind, with Miami, Atlanta and other major cities in the mix. “Play that same vibe and celebrate with the same people we’ve been celebrating with virtually,” he said. “Just to be able to see them face-to-face, play that music and feel that bass, that’s the ultimate goal that I have.”

Until then, he will host next week’s proms and his weekly Instagram parties for people of all ages.

To join next week's prom, download the Houseparty app here.

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