Meet your Cigar Smoking DJ: DJ Eli
If you have ever attended a larger scale Drew Estate event, you have more than likely gotten your dance on to the music of your cigar smoking DJ, DJ Eli. Eli is a professional DJ who is also a cigar enthusiast, so he has combined his passions into a career, and a fun career it is. I was able to get some time with Eli and ask him some questions about what he does, how he started and more! Plus you will be able to enjoy a monthly playlist, created by DJ Eli, on cigarworld.com in our new Smoke and Sound Sessions.
DJ Eli's Conversation with Cigar World
Jean: So great to finally chat with you!
Eli: Thank you it is finally great to meet you and I appreciate this opportunity to chat with you.
Jean: So tell me about how you became the Cigar Smoking DJ.
Eli: Well I have been a DJ for over 22yrs now. I started out as a tour DJ for artist then I got into doing clubs. Looking around at some of my peers I performed with I as the only DJ smoking. So comments would be made like “ohh here is the cigar guy” “ohh its the stogie Dj” lol and I was like nope I am the Cigar Smoking DJ.
Jean: And you used to be a full time touring DJ right? Who are some of the artists that you used to tour with?
Eli: Yes that is correct. I had the awesome pleasure to see the world with an artist named Marz. I was very lucky to hit the road with Paul Wall & Tech N9ne just to name a few, I was also able to open for many hip hop and reggaeton acts here at home in Chicago.
Jean: What was your favorite experience as a touring DJ?
Eli: For me it is going to sleep in one city and waking up in the next. I also miss the butterflies as doors open up and you see the room getting filled with people. I would always peek behind from stage or walk the merch booths to get a feel for the night.
Jean: When you are curating a playlist for a cigar event, what do you take into consideration when creating your playlist
Eli: To be honest I don’t walk in with a set playlist. Yes do I have “go to” songs that folks know. But each event and state is different. I play off the vibes and feed off of who is in front of me.
Jean: About how many events do you do a year?
Eli: I never keep count lol Time flys when you’re having fun lol. But counted it up now I am at about 20 plus. In just cigars not counting clubs gigs I still do and or one-off special events.
Jean: Are you an open agent? Like, can anyone hire you to DJ their event?
Eli: Depends on the arena lol If it is directly for another cigar company, no, I am signed with Drew Estate. But everything else is wide OPEN!!! I do a ton of cigar lounges for their events as well as night clubs.
Jean: And you have a podcast as well right? Tell us more about that.
Eli: Yes it has changed platforms and is on IG only. It is called Tiny Mics Big Sticks. I feature a song with a cigar. I also had a podcast with my wife called Bonafide Bullshit that is on a small hiatus but is coming back. We talk family, life, and partnership.
Jean: Do you have any upcoming events you are really excited about?
Eli: As of right now the winter season is my rest time, But I am gearing up for some 2026 events that I cannot unveil yet for Drew Estate but let me tell you it is going to be one for the books.
Jean: So, I do this to everyone I interview, even though I know it is not fair, but what is your favorite cigar right now? Also, what do you like to drink along with your cigar and the big question… What do you like to listen to when enjoying that stick?
Eli: Right now I cannot get enough of the Liga Privada T52 Corona Viva. It is a great size to smoke in that line and it hits on all cylinders. Besides regular h20 with my stick (helps reset the pallet) I typically grab a bourbon or a rum with a smoke. Depending on my mood I choose what I will play. I am a big vibes guy. Right now, I have been on a Sinatra and Paul Anka kick.
Jean: Do you have anything you want to accomplish, say a bucket list item, within the cigar industry? Any place you want to go? Person you want to meet? Etc.
Eli: I would like to go back to Nicaragua again. But this time be able to spend more time learning the tobacco leaf more and the process of blending. Tampa is also on my list so that I can tour the Newman factory El Reloj. One of the oldest with so much history.
Jean: Eli, it was a fantastic time getting to chat with you and look forward to tuning in to your monthly playlist on the Smoke and Sound Sessions.
Eli: It was my pleasure thanks for having me. I can’t wait to bring the awesome music feels to the masses of the cigar world.
Now you all need to follow DJ Eli and Cigar World on the socials so that you don’t miss those monthly playlist drops. Tell us if there is any specific artist you are hoping will pop up on one of Eli’s playlists, in the comments below!
Current Cigar World Promotions
Alec Bradley Filthy Hooligan Season Giveaway
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To celebrate the return of Filthy Hooligan and Filthy Hooligan Shamrock, Alec Bradley is kicking off a series of giveaways leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, and they've just announced their first!
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99 Rell_Izzy
(8 days ago)Interesting, I just saw this week the Drew Estate HQ on YouTube. I forgot the girl's name, but she did a fantastic job showing the Drew Estate place and the brief history of how they came to be
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