In this episode of Creative Ambiance, we sit down with Toney Handsome, the genre-defying DJ from Long Beach who’s carved a lane across hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music. As the official DJ for Leon Thomas, and a close collaborator with artists like Ty Dolla $ign, Channel Tres, Kaytranada, and Wax Motif, Toney shares how he’s built a career rooted in taste, versatility, and authenticity.

We talk about what makes a party unforgettable, why DJs need to treat themselves like brands, and the importance of curating your own scene (like his signature event, Had To Be There). Plus, we get into Pisces energy, the state of music in 2025, and why it’s okay to like both Kendrick and Drake.

Creative Ambiance

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Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ambiance/id1466436193

Toney Handsome

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toneyhandsome/

Website: https://linktr.ee/Toneyhandsome

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/toneyhandsome

0:00 Intro

3:00 Balancing Hip Hop & EDM

11:00 Is Stems Bad for DJs?

15:00 Tastefulness

20:00 Admiration for other DJs

30:00 Treating Yourself Like a Brand

42:00 Leon Thomas

46:00 Sports & Music

53:00 Life Outside of Music

1:03:30 Had to Be There Party

1:15:30 2025 & Beyond

1:26:00 Pisces Energy

1:29:00 Closing