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DJ. Disc Jockey. A person whose sole job is to get people dancing. One time in history the DJ life was highly male dominated. An occasional female would break into the scene and catch some attention for being "different" but thankfully times have changed. These days a female DJ is much more common and female DJs are drawing a lot of local and national attention. In this A-Profiler, we focus on a few of the APA DJs out there who just happen to be female and are setting the world on fire.
How did you first become a DJ? What inspired you to pursue DJing?
In any aspect that you look at how I pursued my DJing, I got the drive, motivatiion, and dedication from my trials and tribulations. I put my DJing on the shelf, off the shelf, on the shelf, off the shelf. At one point, I wanted to give up but I didn't. I want to set a good example for females and represent out there. KrisCut: I became a DJ when a good friend of mine (DJ Slip) was DJing at clubs and we [my friends and I] would tag along with him just to hang out (he worked/spun and my friends and I would party). Many of our other friends were DJs as well. I was around it alot at one point. Watching him work made me curious to it [DJing], and I asked him one day to teach me. His initial response was "don't waste my time", but with enough nagging and begging he eventually let me touch his turntables and taught how to scratch. It was over from then on. I fell in love with it right away. I was in a singing group beforehand, hoping to fulfill my dreams of being a famous singer in an awesome girl group (because I didn't feel confident enough to be a solo artist). However, having other people hold your future and dreams in their hands was too much, especially when you have such high hopes of making it. Girls came in and out of the group, and along with drama and lack of dedication, I started to lose hope. Still, I wanted to do something in music. That's when DJing came in. My success in DJing is based on my own skill and talent, and how far I go is dependent on me and me alone (but support is nice as well). :) Did you find it difficult to break in or be accepted into the scene? Bev: NO. But I found a problem. Female DJs face a challenge when they are recognized as "being an exception" rather than the exceptional. I wanted to give up at first but I didn't and I plan to pursue this for a while so haters, sorry but I am not going anywhere anytime soon. KrisCut: Not really. I was in the [party] scene for a while (yes, I admit it), in which I made many great contacts, so getting gigs wasn't too much of a problem, even if some people were still doubtful about my skills. But, if it hadn't been for me going to clubs when I was younger, I wouldn't know as much about which songs rock a crowd, and what makes people dance, etc. People were very accepting of me when I would say I was a DJ now because they were so used to me doing something musical (I was also a music business major in college). Many people were and are still supportive, but I'd still get those puzzled "huh... YOU'RE a DJ?!" looks once in a while. How did your learn your mixing skills? Bev: I picked up from watching my prior "significant ex hubby" practicing with him, going to gigs and the rest is history. KrisCut: I learned my mixing skills right away because of my educational background in music, and because I write music. However, learning how to SCRATCH FIRST made a big difference in my mixing skills, because you have to throw in a record at the right moment or your mix will be off, resulting in a "shoes in the dryer" mix (that's my favorite saying for a bad mix). Who were/are some of your DJ role models? Bev: Chris Palacio, SBC DJs (all of them), DJ Shortkut of Beatjunkie Sound, Dj Yoshi Technitions, DJ Pone my scratch master at school. (laughs) KrisCut: Definitely my mentor DJ Slip, who taught me everything I know. He's a resident DJ in a Las Vegas nightclub. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be where I am now. Many of my other DJ role models are friends who I watch DJ and session with, and I am constantly learning from them. Also, of course, Kuttin' Kandi, a talented female turntablist who inspires me to work hard on my scratching. What are your favorite songs to get the the crowds dancing? Bev: Right now its "Yeah" by Usher. People go nutts to that song. Oh Beyonce "Crazy in Love." Guys hate it, girls love it. Shake that Monkey. Lumidee, anything by Sean Paul, Missy Elliot, Jay Z. KrisCut: The songs that usually get the crowd dancing are "Hypnotized" by Notorious BIG, and alot of my old school sets with songs like "Poison" by BBD. It brings back memories I guess. =) What's the strangest or most embarassing thing to ever happen while you were DJing? Bev: My left nipple peeking out of my shirt during my set. (laughs) Seriously the most embarrassing moment was when I DJed Pier 50 and the sound went out. Just like that! Amp over heated and the crowd got mad. Was it a hoax, or was the bass just too load? How embarassing. Never again!!! KrisCut: Embarrassing is when one of my first few times I was mixing at the club, and I was so used to having the fader in the middle when I was practicing. Well, the DJ before me didn't do that, and I forgot to check where the fader was. So, I was mixing in a song, and I thought, WOW, that was an awesome mix... and I look up to see everyone staring at me because there was no music. Ack. Once you make a mistake like that, you NEVER make it again! (laughs) Where do you see the future of the DJ scene going? Bev: Electronic music- CDJ's- More technology? I still see it growing, being more valued. I'm a vinyl babe...DJs will never be OBSOLETE! I see more diversity and hopefully good DJ etiquitte for the scene too. More females.
What advice do you have for others who want to become a DJ? Bev: Practice, practice, practice. Whether you want to become a hobbyism club DJ, radio DJ, battle DJ, just practice. If you want to "become a good DJ" and build good sets so the crowd loves you. I'm also not just playing with music but making my own. This whole DJ Bev thing is becoming into something bigger for me and soon I want to work or have my own record label since I produce songs. KrisCut: DJing can take a lot of patience, so don't be frustrated if you don't get it right away. It may take just days, months, or years to perfect it. If you are looking to be a club DJ or battle DJ, it is getting very competitive, so make sure you work hard to always be on top of things. Also, DJing as a hobby is much different than DJing as a career. Either way, love of music is a must. =) Would you like to be featured on this site? Click here for more info. This issue of A-Profiler is brought to you by Nelson Wong. Images courtesy of DJ ICON, DJ Bev, and DJ KrisCut
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Bev: I first became a club mixer in 2002. My first gig was at the Sound Factory in San Francisco. I didn't become a DJ til I actually showcased and started mixing at local venues. At first I was a bedroom DJ. Anyone can be a DJ. Man or woman. There really is no physical reason why either men or women should be better at it. But when people think DJ, they see a man. Becoming a DJ comes from learning about the industry and building up good sets.
ICON: There are always challenges for any DJ to break into the industry since there is so much competition. I worked hard to get my demos out to promoters and had some good connections to get started. The rest took time, patience and dedication.
KrisCut: I'm very traditional and hope that turntables stay alive forever. With all these new "techie" computer and CD DJs coming up nowadays it seems like anyone mixing music on anything can call themselves a DJ, which really stinks for those that are true turntablists and DJs. (I'm not knocking down CD DJing or anything, so don't get me wrong.) With the influx of these new "DJs" it saturates the job market and DJs who should be getting paid well are getting undercut by less talented new DJs, know what I mean? I hope it will just raise the bar on talent.