Sam Divine is a British house music DJ and producer, known as the “Queen of Defected”. She went from handing out mix CDs in Ibiza to becoming the first female DJ signed to Defected Records in 2009. She now headlines clubs and festivals worldwide and runs her own label and event brand, 555, giving new artists a platform.
Sam Divine at a glance
- Known as: the Queen of Defected, and the Queen of House Music
- From: near Weston-super-Mare, in the South West of England
- Sound: soulful house, deep house, tech house and big-room house anthems
- Label home: Defected Records, first female DJ on the roster (2009)
- Own label and events: 555 (formerly DVINE Sounds)
- Ibiza: resident at Ushuaïa Ibiza in 2010 and 2011; first own-brand residency, 555 at Cova Santa, in 2026
- Radio: former host of the Defected Radio Show
From record shops to global stages
Sam started DJing as a teenager, playing hard house, breaks and drum & bass before switching to house when a promoter asked her to fill in for a headliner. She won a DJ competition at her local club in 2001, became its resident and junior booker, and launched her own night, Sundays Are Divine.
Like many great DJs, she learned her trade behind a record shop counter, working at Spin Central in Weston-super-Mare and Chemical Records in Bristol. She did her first Ibiza season in 2005, handing out mix CDs in San Antonio’s West End.
Sam Divine and Defected Records
Defected is the backbone of Sam’s career. She joined the label’s street team in Ibiza and by 2009 was its events manager at Ibiza‘s Pacha, under founder Simon Dunmore. The same year she became the first female DJ on the Defected roster, a milestone that has inspired a generation of women in electronic music.
Through Defected she has:
- Hosted the globally syndicated Defected Radio Show
- Been a resident at Ushuaïa Ibiza in its first two summers, 2010 and 2011, and returned as weekly support for Defected at Ushuaïa in 2024
- Played Defected in the House events across the UK, Ibiza, Defected Croatia and beyond, with her first international Defected show in South America
- Represented the label at festivals including We Are FSTVL, Defected Croatia and Glastonbury
- Released records on the label, including Cruel Intentions with Hannah Wants and Jem Cooke for Defected’s 25th anniversary
Her sound: classic meets modern
What sets Sam apart is how she blends classic house melodies with modern production. Whether she’s layering soulful vocals, dropping a tech house groove or digging out underground gems, her sets respect the past while pushing forward. That’s why they work in a 300-capacity club and on a festival main stage alike.
Sam Divine as a producer
Sam released her first record in 2015 and has built a catalogue of club tracks since. Key releases include:
- Saved By The Record (featuring Josh Barry)
- Cruel Intentions (with Hannah Wants and Jem Cooke), Defected
- Club Muzik, a tech house track released on her own label in 2026
- Paradise, signed to Defected (2026)
- Scars (2026)
555: her label, events and the next generation
Sam founded DVINE Sounds to give rising producers a platform. In 2026 she rebranded it as 555, a label and event series built on a back-to-basics idea: long DJ sets, smaller venues and a focus on the dancefloor rather than big production. Early 555 nights ran five-hour, all-night sets at independent venues, sometimes with a no-phones policy.
In summer 2026, 555 became Sam’s first own-brand Ibiza residency, with four nights at Cova Santa (13 June, 22 August, and 16 and 23 September). The brand has also hosted events at Ministry of Sound in London and a boat party at Defected Croatia. She stays hands-on with mentoring and collaboration, making sure the house music legacy she represents keeps evolving through fresh talent.
Why Sam Divine matters to house music
Sam’s career is proof of a path many DJs still dream of: record shop, street team, residency, then the main stage. As the first woman on Defected’s DJ roster, she helped open doors in a scene that has long been male-dominated. Her move back to long sets in small rooms with 555 shows a DJ who still puts the dancefloor first. Her story is also told in the documentary Married To The Music, filmed over eight years.
Frequently asked questions about Sam Divine
Who is Sam Divine?
Sam Divine is a British house music DJ and producer, known as the “Queen of Defected”, and founder of the 555 label and event brand (formerly DVINE Sounds).
Where is Sam Divine from?
Sam Divine grew up near Weston-super-Mare in the South West of England, and worked in record shops in Weston-super-Mare and Bristol before joining Defected.
What is Sam Divine’s connection to Defected Records?
Sam Divine started on the Defected street team in Ibiza, became the label’s events manager and, in 2009, its first female DJ signing. She has also hosted the Defected Radio Show.
What kind of music does Sam Divine play?
Sam Divine plays soulful house, deep house, tech house and uplifting dancefloor anthems, blending classic records with new music.
Does Sam Divine produce her own music?
Yes. Sam Divine has released records since 2015, including Saved By The Record featuring Josh Barry and Cruel Intentions with Hannah Wants and Jem Cooke.
What is 555?
555 is Sam Divine’s record label and event brand, rebranded from DVINE Sounds in 2026. Its events focus on long DJ sets in smaller venues.
Does Sam Divine have an Ibiza residency?
Yes. In 2026 Sam Divine held her first own-brand Ibiza residency, 555 at Cova Santa. She was previously a resident at Ushuaïa Ibiza in 2010 and 2011.
Where can I see Sam Divine play live?
Sam Divine tours clubs and festivals worldwide, including Defected and 555 events. Her official Instagram, @samdivinedj, lists upcoming dates.
Keep listening
Steve Bell plays soulful, deep and vocal house across the UK, Ibiza and beyond. Catch his monthly DancersHip show and live sets, or see the media pack to book Steve for your event.
