QBABY WORLDWIDE Launches HOOD HOUSE Vol. 1 at ARORA NOLA

NOLA EDM: For those meeting you for the first time — who is QBABY WORLDWIDE?
QBABY WORLDWIDE: QBABY Worldwide is a New Orleans–born DJ, rapper, and producer rooted in the city’s raw musical legacy and driven by a global mindset. His sets move fluidly through house, club, hip-hop, bounce, and international sounds, built on energy, transitions, and real dance-floor connection rather than trends.

Hood House is the underground extension of that vision — a movement focused on creating space, visibility, and opportunity for forward-thinking DJs and artists, while pushing New Orleans culture beyond local borders. It’s organic, community-driven, and quietly positioning itself for a global stage.

NOLA EDM: HOOD HOUSE Vol. 1 marks QBABY WORLDWIDE’s first takeover at ARORA.

What inspired the Hood House concept, and what does this night represent for you creatively?
QBABY: Hood House came together in a very organic way. The idea had been living in the back of my mind for a long time, but one day everything clicked — the vision, the name, the purpose — all at once. It felt less like forcing a concept and more like finally giving a shape to something that already existed.

Creatively, the night represents new energy and self-created opportunity. It’s about building the space I always wanted but didn’t always have access to — a platform rooted in culture, fun, and community, while also creating long-term freedom and sustainability. Hood House is a new wave, and it’s me choosing to build my future on my own terms.

NOLA EDM: The lineup blends house, rap, and club energy in a way that feels very intentional.

How did you approach curating the artists for this first Hood House?

QBABY: I started with DJs I genuinely have relationships with — people I trust musically and culturally. I wanted the first Hood House to feel authentic, not forced, and that meant building a lineup that represents different stages of the journey.

DONTAEWIL represents the next generation of New Orleans DJs. I originally knew him through producing and recording music, and watching his transition into DJing has been dope. He brings fresh energy and perspective.

Lord Chilla is family. He’s been around since my Nola Fam days and has consistently been putting in real work with Set De Flo. He’s experienced, disciplined, and understands the culture — not new to this at all.

Romancing The Stoned and I share similar goals and vision. We’re both focused on growth, big stages, and building something sustainable while enjoying the lifestyle that comes with it. He’s already making serious moves, and Hood House is about aligning with artists who are built to keep going.

Overall, the lineup reflects where Hood House is headed — a mix of legacy, evolution, and forward momentum.

NOLA EDM: ARORA has become a hub for forward-thinking club nights in New Orleans.

How does that space influence the way you imagine this event unfolding?

QBABY: I wanted to start strong — in a prime location with a professional setup — to make it clear that Hood House is serious from day one. Choosing Arora was about setting a high standard, not easing into it. I wanted people to feel the intention the moment they walk in.

Arora already carries an EDM-forward identity, which makes it the perfect contrast. Bringing an underground, culture-driven energy into a polished space creates balance — raw meets refined. The room allows the sound, lighting, and crowd energy to really build throughout the night, so it feels like an experience unfolding, not just another party. That contrast is exactly how I imagine Hood House growing.

NOLA EDM: For people stepping into Hood House for the first time, what should they expect on the dance floor?
QBABY: Expect a house-driven foundation with an underground edge and real club energy. The sound moves fluidly — grounded in house, but layered with bounce, rap influence with Tech House and global club textures that keep the room unpredictable and alive.

Each DJ is given the freedom to stay in their own lane and bring their personality to the floor, so the energy evolves naturally throughout the night. It’s less about rigid genres and more about momentum — movement, connection, and a dance floor that feels raw, immersive, and fully locked in.

NOLA EDM: Is this a party, a vibe shift, a cultural moment — or all of the above?

QBABY: It’s all of the above, but at its core, Hood House is an event with purpose. It’s a party, but it’s also a hub for self-created ideas, collaborations, and future opportunities. It’s a space where underground culture can exist freely while being built for something bigger.

Hood House is becoming a lifestyle and a brand — rooted in the underground, but designed for people who want to shine on a global level. It’s about energy, community, and creating momentum that lasts beyond one night.

NOLA EDM: What do you hope Hood House brings to New Orleans’ nightlife scene moving forward?

QBABY: I want Hood House to become a real hub for opportunity — a place where New Orleans talent can connect to stages, platforms, and audiences on a global level. Built in New Orleans but exported to the world, it’s about creating access, ownership, and sustainability for artists who want more than just local recognition.

The goal is to shift the narrative: showing that what’s coming out of this city can move globally, while still being rooted in culture, independence, and self-determination.

NOLA EDM: And finally — Is this the start of something ongoing?

QBABY:

Absolutely. Hood House is built to evolve. Every event will feel different while staying true to the Hood House sound and identity. The goal is to keep it moving — switching locations across New Orleans, then expanding nationally and globally as it grows.

Over time, Hood House will open up to more live artist performances and deeper creative collaborations. Where it leads is part of the journey, but the vision is long-term. This is about building momentum, watching it grow, and growing with it.