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SHEDJ: What initially sparked your passion for DJing, and how did you get started in the music scene?
Well I fell in love with electronic music as in the late 80s and early 90s, I was a preteen and teenager then. It came at a very difficult time in my life, and was soothing to my soul. My family were house music lovers and growing up in Brooklyn at this stage, I was exposed to Frankie Knuckles, Larry Levan, Belly Jean Benitez, Black Box, Technotronic and many legends from the acid house era. We also had our UK relatives visit a lot during this time so the connections were made early on.
I first heard jungle tekno or breakbeat hardcore around 1992 and kids in school were calling it rave at this time. In NYC we heard it everywhere at this time… Our school dances, z100 (a local radio station), Video Music Box (public access music video show), tapes, fellow classmates, my gym teacher, lol… It was everywhere. Key players, 2 Bad Mice, Prodigy, Tom & Jerry, and so many others were known in my class.
I had a traumatic event happen to me from some misfit kids before I moved to Connecticut around 1994, however I learned more about rave culture from them and UK family. They snuck me into Limelight in 1994 and I wasn't quite ready for that experience then. As time progressed, I listened to tapes with hardcore on it but always loved the more breakbeat oriented tunes, we call jungle today.
Living in Connecticut I was able to go back and forth to NYC to visit my cousin who was going to Limelight, Tunnel, Shelter, CBGBs, Konkrete Jungle... So when she heard I liked jungle, she brought me to Konkrete Jungle in 1996 when I graduated high school, I believe at this time it was Wetlands. I didn't like the jump up a lot of DJs were starting to play but loved hearing .187 (now known as Jordana) come on and annihilate the crowd with raw Jungle. I started to meet more kids in Connecticut that also loved electronic music and started to attend nights and clubs in that area as well.
In 1997 techstep from Prototype Recordings and Metalheadz opened me up to a new sound I was immediately in love with. I wasn't a dj at this time, actually I didn't want to dj and was a dance student and professional, however, anything I love, I need to understand what it is and I did my research. I had random people tell me they saw me in the future as a dj/producer and I'd laugh like what drugs did you take dude? However, in 2002 I began my journey as I was injured and disillusioned from the dance world and going through emotional turmoil from bad relationships. I brought 5 records, acquired technic 1200s a buddy was selling and a “Realistic” radio shack mixer from a friend.
My first gig was 100% High Octane at The Municipal Cafe in Hartford, CT in August of 2004. A few weeks later I started a night and collective with 3 homies to bring the sound to our city called Threshold Sound. We grew from 3 to 12 members before our end around 2010.
I linked with promoters like Stuck On Earth who threw some of the biggest raves on the East Coast and djd for them, Direct Drive who was the biggest DNB collective at this time, Hipstep Zulus via TC Izlam who was like the older brother I never had and met a lot of very famous and influential people in the hip hop world, True Productions who was responsible for the Asylum in Springfield and countless crew and orgs in the northeast. My DJ career took off very quickly with gigs all over the East Coast, and back in CT I was collaborating on events in Hartford and New England.
I went to the UK for the first time in 2007, which ended up being a 6 month stay. I reunited with my Grandfather who lived in Oxford, other family in London and other cities. I met a lot of DJs and producers who already knew who I was from a message board I frequently visited and posted on called, Dogs On Acid. This truly began my connection over there. I've played in the UK many times since and became friends with many of my heroes.
I had my show on Jungletrain in 2013, was a content manager at Satellite Records online store, and became US manager of DNB GIRLS. It's been 11 years of being in that role. I moved to New Haven in 2014 and met the owner of a club, Pacific Standard Tavern who I met through my friend Keith. I brought in two friends to begin a night called Heady which we fused art and music. We also had another night, Amen, which was DNB focused where I was resident at. Unfortunately New Haven at this time was more jamband focused and our nights only survived for 2-3 years.
In 2018 I chose Boston to live after spending a great deal of time here that summer. So far it's been an extreme growing and healing process and one of serious self discovery. I wouldn't change a thing... There's a lot I'm going to accomplish while I continue to live here.
SHEDJS: Can you share a memorable experience from one of your performances or events that stands out in your mind?
2018, a week before I moved to Boston, I DJd Rupture in London. SOFi MARi jumped on the mic during my set, we had Chris Inp act as our backup dancer. The energy that set was unreal. I transcended space and time dropping those Amen fueled tunes.
I've been blessed to be a direct opener for LTJ Bukem twice and when I spun in London in 2022 we shared a bill. It's crazy because I still fangirl him and we're friends now. The first time I DJd with him, he stopped me before going on the decks and said, girl for real your music is beautiful. That still means the world to me.
Also in 2022 I was invited by the EQ50 Crew to DJ with them at Outlook. I love Flight, Sweetpea and Mantra so much. They are my UK sisters. It was an honor to rinse with such amazing Queens and meet DJs like Ama, Spectral, Annikona, Tasha, etc... The sisterhood is so strong.
SHEDJS: How do you approach creating a setlist or choosing tracks for a particular event or venue?
It really depends. I try to stay up on new music which can be challenging as life is wild sometimes. So I guess what fits the vibe. I love deep, dark, moody, tribal, atmospheric, jungle but I love rollers and dancefloor too. And techstep and nuero will always be apart of my soul, so I guess it truly depends on the vibe... Ragga is always going to get played regardless lol. The tracks definitely reflect the mood.
SHEDJS: Are there specific genres or artists that have had a significant influence on your style?
I forgot to mention in the 90s I went to hardcore and punk shows, underground hip hop and tons of dancehall nights as well as the house and electronic music clubs... I think I've always loved music in minor chords. I also studied piano and music theory, my favorite composers were Beethoven, Handel, Mozart, Chopin, Vivaldi, Wagner, Lizst and many others... I was also in jazz band in junior high and loved Miles Davis' kind of blue era. Plus having a mother who DJd in the 70s, I loved Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, The Temptations and many others that reflected these tones and moods. I guess you can say this and life are my influences. Which I've learned with many of my heros in jungle and dnb are theirs as well.
SHEDJS: In a constantly evolving industry, how do you stay updated on new music trends and technologies?
Since I moved into music production about 15 years ago now, I'm constantly reading, learning, taking classes, watching YouTube videos, asking my more established producer friends questions... I'll be doing more of this as you never stop growing.
SHEDJS: Do you have any advice for aspiring DJs looking to break into the scene or enhance their skills?
I think the main thing is to go at your own pace. My experience I've learned there's always someone watching what you're doing as competition to their goals. This actually caused me a lot of issues in life as some men around me took my drive to play so many shows early on or collaborate with so many people as a threat. The bullying from 'peers' was very hurtful. But along the way you meet new loyal and amazing friends that only want the best for you. It's up to you to not allow weak and fear minded people to bring you down. And to be aware that you truly know if the people you are rocking with are your allies or not. I've been through some of the worst things a person can experience in life. But even with all of that, music is mine and no one can take that away from me.
SHEDJS: What's next for you in terms of projects, collaborations, or upcoming gigs?
I have a few tours in the works, some releases, and some mixes. Doing a ton of work with DNB Girls at the moment. I'm not going to divulge more, but anyone looking to book me should connect with Cybergrooveam.