We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dion Langley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dion, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

As a child, I got started playing drums at a young age, and I feel in love with it. I always felt that a another sense of expression without having to speak in my opinion. And growing up in church, I noticed how cool the drummers were when it came to the church community and people. I used to watch them each Sunday and I noticed all the attention giving to them in situations so for me I was always impressed with the drummers. As I got older and got more into drums and music I begin to fall in love with it and wanting to grow all around the board. So I joined the band and expanded my knowledge in the craft. Learning how to read, and teach music. As my talent grew, my career did also and getting the opportunity to tour and play with various artist and also turning my drumming into a business and being able to spread a positive message through music.

Dion, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Music is more than just a passion for me. It’s a powerful platform for advocacy, resilience, and inspiration. As a professional drummer living with lupus, I turned personal challenges into a mission, using rhythm and performance to raise awareness about the realities of living with this chronic illness.

Despite the physical demands of drumming, I never let lupus define my journey. Instead, I’ve embraced the highs and lows with determination, proving that perseverance and passion can overcome even the toughest obstacles. Through dynamic performances and engaging storytelling, my music inspires others facing similar struggles to chase their dreams without limitations.

Beyond the stage, I’m dedicated to lupus advocacy, actively educating audiences, supporting fellow warriors, and collaborating with organizations to spread awareness. Whether through benefit concerts, speaking engagements, or simply sharing their journey, they aim to shine a light on the invisible battle so many face. I also have my own #BeatLupus organization.

For me, every beat played is a statement, a testament to strength, resilience, and the belief that music has the power to heal, connect, and uplift.

As I always say, I’M DRUMMING TO A DIFFERENT BEAT, AND THAT’S TO BEAT LUPUS!!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the major lesson’s I’ve learned is that I knew that God put me in this position for a reason, because for me I’m not worried about trying to compete with other drummers only because I’m fighting a different battle that most drummers don’t have to deal with on a day to day basis. Lupus affects my physical ability, so having to be on stage for a long time is really draining and I have to use more energy to get the normal drummers may due and it takes a toll on my body.

But I realized that my gift is testament of my faith and strength to endure all obstacles that may come my way. So I may not be recognized for my drumming at times but my drumming has really affected so many people in a positive way, while spreading my message musically.

So I know in my heart that God gave me the gift of drumming to spread a message that needs to be heard….. BEAT LUPUS

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

When I was hospitalized and it gave me so much time to think about so many things in my life and having the mental toughness to tell myself that I can’t let lupus beat me. Especially when it’s no cure for this disease. I knew I wanted to get back to drumming so I needed to figure out a way to encourage myself once I started back drumming, so when the hashtags begin to get popular, I just made a shirt and I simply just put #BeatLupus on the shirt, and I would wear it every time I performed. I had so much colors, so I would begin to wear it daily and that’s how I encouraged myself.

But over time I noticed that certain people would walk up to me and say nice shirt or where did you get the shirt from? And also it was good because some people would ask questions about lupus and I would answer them and explain what it is, so that would give me a chance to help spread the word about lupus without having the advocate platform at the time.

When I finally decided to advocate, it was after a show in Ohio and once again I had one of #BeatLupus shirts on during the show, and after the show was over that night I was fortunate to meet a family who was moved by my performance on stage as well as them having to chance to speak with them and letting them know that I have lupus as well. And being a to be a blessing and encourage others really opened my eyes to my calling. So when God speaks I have to listen, and from that point I started advocating and spreading the word about lupus.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drum4lupus/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alonzo.langley
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dion-langley-089a99263/
• Twitter: https://x.com/dion_langley
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drum4lupus
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/beatlupusapparell/