Her Sound, Her Story: How Møya Rey Inspires Through Music, Fashion, and Education

By Nadgeena Jerome

When the runway lights dimmed and the bass began to pulse at New York Fashion Week, the energy in the room shifted. Behind the decks, DJ Møya Rey, known on Instagram as @moyamusic_,  commanded the crowd with the kind of presence that only comes from someone who has lived and breathed music across continents. A Dominican American artist born and raised in New York, Møya Rey has become a fixture at the intersection of fashion, art, and education. Her sound is global, her vision is borderless, and her mission is deeply rooted in amplifying culture.

Photo credit: Ayoub Yechou (@ayoubyuchi)

For Art Hearts Fashion, Arizona Fashion Week, Mister Triple X, and other celebrated runways, Møya has been the pulse behind the shows, blending genres like R&B, Afrobeats, Latin House, and Reggaeton with an instinctive ability to read the room. Whether it is the sharp click of stilettos on the catwalk or the flash of photographers capturing a designer’s moment, her mixes become part of the visual story. Leafing through her sets is like flipping through a passport. French pop meets Brazilian funk, samba melts into Jersey Club, and Afro fusion collides with house music. Each transition tells the story of a woman who has traveled to nearly 30 countries, collecting sounds, languages, and influences along the way.

Photo credit: @crissy_shoots

But Møya Rey’s artistry is not confined to the nightlife or the runway. Offstage, she is Professor Shirley Reynozo, a dedicated educator in Baruch College’s Black and Latino Studies Department. Her classrooms are spaces where art and advocacy intertwine, where students are invited to see heritage not only as history but as a living force for change. For seven years, she has taught English, history, and Spanish at multiple levels, creating inclusive environments that prioritize equity, cultural literacy, and social justice. It is no coincidence that the same woman who curates beats for a runway also curates opportunities for her students to enter spaces like New York Fashion Week. She bridges academia with industry and proves that education can extend far beyond the classroom.

Photo credit: Mark Gunter-Getty (@markgonpoint)

This season, under her mentorship, Baruch students collaborated with Art Hearts Fashion. For some, it was their first exposure to the world of high fashion. They left with portfolios filled with photography, new networks, and a newfound belief in the power of their own voices.

“My experience in NYFW was absolutely the best thing ever,” said student Jemil Lawal, who captured the shows on camera. “I was able to meet and interact with so many people and build my connections. In addition, I was also able to build my photography brand. It was an unforgettable experience.” Another student, Karise Buckley, echoed the sentiment, saying, “It was eye-opening. I loved the Almée collection, and the event showed me how important connections and networking are. You never know who you will meet.”

Photo credit: Jemil Lewis (@jay.vision4k)

Møya herself knows that music and mentorship go hand in hand. Her debut EP ‘Lost in Translation’ embodies this belief. Additional tracks she has put out since include ‘Tourbillon,’ ‘Je Pense à Toi,’ and ‘Bronx Whine to Amapiano.’ Performed on platforms such as BronxNet TV, VFiles, and Oni’s Barrio, the project reflects her polyglot identity. Fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, she creates a diasporic soundscape that mirrors her teaching style. In the same way her classrooms celebrate multicultural narratives, her music creates space for transatlantic dialogue, where liberation is found in rhythm.

Her artistry has not gone unnoticed. From Telemundo and Galore to Contrast Magazine and Too Much Love, media platforms have spotlighted her as an innovator. Brands like Miss Circle, Forever 21, and Atlantic Records have partnered with her, drawn not only to her musical talent but also to her authentic personal brand and digital reach. She has more than 3.5 million views across Instagram Reels, 1.5 million views on TikTok, and over 111,000 views on YouTube. This online presence, combined with her in-person performances, positions her as a creator shaping culture on every platform.

Photo credit: Trey (nyc.trey.vidz)

What makes her story remarkable is that it is not just about sound or style. It is about bridging worlds of music and fashion, art and education, advocacy and entertainment. Whether she is at Coachella, guiding her students into New York Fashion Week, or curating heritage-themed showcases like Háblame Dulce at Baruch College, Møya Rey embodies what it means to be a modern Latina making an impact across industries.

As the runway lights flicker and the music fades, what remains is her vision. It is a rhythm of resistance, a soundtrack of empowerment, and a legacy that reminds us culture is always in motion.

Photo credit: Paola Valdes (@pvphotographyy)

You can find her tunes on SoundCloud, YouTube, iTunes, and Spotify.