NOVEMBER
CONTENTS
DJ ICE 04 KELS THE DJ 06 SHE SHE 08 DJ KURUPT 10 SHAWNY 12 DJ FS 14 DJ NASTY 305 16 DJ BROOKE BAILEY 18 DJ KASH 20 DJ BO WEEZY 22 DJ NUTTY 24 DJ STORMY 26 DJ A-ONE 28 DJ DREWSKI 30 DJ AASHA ADORE 32 DJ SILVER KNIGHT 34 DJ VALASOUL 36 DJ MS ECLECTIC 38 DJ GORGEOUS 40 DJ NABS 42 DJ SAMORE 44 DJ PRECISA 46 DJ TEE Y 48 DJ NIKKI 50 DJ WAFFLES 52 DJ FLUX 54 DJ HOLLYWOOD 56 DJ SIX 40 58
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DJ KELS
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BROOKE BAILEY
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DJ KURUPT
W.I.B (Where It Begins) is an Independent agency with the aim to always be innovate in each approach taken to projects and making sure excellence is given in a projects execution when it comes to media marketing, branding, networking and management. Founded by the well experienced and ever growing force; D.C. native Cece Hymes, the most important and integral aspect of W.I.B is that branding for both Creatives and Businesses is taken to the next level with each and every project undertaken. We’ve continued to represent a very diverse and well acclaimed roster of emerging talents in the entertainment, and businesses!
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DJ NUTTY
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With a determined persistence for continued excellence, our Founder Cece Hymes, with a college Degree in Business Management, has also worked within radio and with many companies such as: RDE Entertainment, H.I.G.H Entertainment and Caribbean Gospel Records Ltd., committed to nurturing and helping establish greatness in our marketing, branding and more for each of our current roster of Businesses and Artistes. Keep on the lookout for many of our upcoming projects and events.
challenging—Especially because I do this fulltime. It’s just like any other entrepreneur. You just have to work hard and remain consistent because if you don’t work, you don’t make any money. Q. What made you want to be a DJ? A. I really got my start in college. I was the cohost to a radio mixer and personality named Y.Dot. He had a drive time show on our college station, WANM 90.5 on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. I would just watch him mix on a software program called Virtual DJ. I would sit in the studio and think to myself “I can do that!” So, one day I downloaded the program, asked him for some music and I began practicing.
SHAWNY Q. How hard is it in the industry being a female DJ ? A. I wouldn’t say that its “hard,” but its unexpected. Especially when you are a good one! If I had a dollar for every person (male and 12
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female) who have said to me “wow, you’re the DJ.” Or “You’re the prettiest DJ i’ve ever seen,” or (this one kills me!) “Your too pretty to be the DJ” I’d probably be rich! But I would say being a DJ in general is
Q. What are some current challenges being an Dj ? A. Reinventing your brand to make yourself marketable. Keeping a solid gig, finding promoters who aren’t janky, keeping up with the latest technology and music, long nights and also making sure you get your worth. Some club owners and/or promoters… they’ll try to play you. They’ll ask what your rates are and then try to lowball you. Like their being slick. It’s funny when I think about it but it’s really not funny… LOL Q. Do you think its harder to get a DJ gigs as a female than male in the Industry? A. Not at all. The challenge is most people doing the
booking are males. With that, of course, they will try to flirt or make their pass but you just have to let them know that youre here for business and nothing else. Q. What Differentiate you from the rest of the DJ’s ? A. I PRACTICE. Even after I mastered the skill, I still practice and take the time to sharpen my skills. I’m also HUGE on my blends and transitions. For a long time, that’s all I worked on creating different ways to transition from song to song so that it never sounds like a train wreck. Of course, I’m human! Sometimes I do mess up (lol) or can just be moving too fast, but I genuinely love my craft and I think it shows. You can really tell whose having fun and whose just there to be there. Q. How would you define your “style” or approach to providing DJ Entertainment? A. I study the crowd. I am always thinking about how I want to set the vibe and what’s going to be my first song. I’m also from Florida… I talk on the microphone! Also one thing I’ve learned from being in ATL is that they don’t give the DJ a chance to rock the mic. They hire a host and a DJ and then they want us to work together when really, I’m my own show.
personality is actually very boring. Q. Can you give any advice to upcoming DJ’s? A. DO GOOD BUSINESS!!! Practice and create your own lane. Figure out what type of music you want to play and what type of DJ you want to be. For example, there is wedding DJs, club DJs, corporate DJs. Some can be any type of DJ, while others cant. People ask me all the time to help them and I always ask them how invested are you in this because 1. It’s not a cheap hobby, 2. I don’t have time to waste, 3. It can be very time consuming. I always suggest that if you’re just starting out first, figure out what type equipment you want to use—do you want to use vinyl, CDJs or a controller. Even though they all do the same thing they each have a different feel.
Q. What are your goals in the next 5 years? A. Syndicated radio or just radio fulltime, more traveling— I really want my craft to allow me to see the world while doing what I love. I want to learn more of the business side as well. I’ll also possibly produce a record and learn how to make beats. Q. Tell everyone where they can follow you and what projects you are working on? A. My website shawnytaughtu.com, All social media @ ShawnyTaughtU Mixcloud https:// www.mixcloud.com/ shawnytaughtu/ Soundcloud https:// soundcloud.com/shawnytaughtu I’m working on something big, but you’ll just have to stay tuned!
Q. Who or What Influenced you to be a DJ? A. Radio… being just a
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DJ KASH
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“You miss home and family, you miss precious moments because you’re always working and traveling .”
Q. How did you come up with the name Dj Kash? A. I’ve had that name since I was a kid playing basketball. Q. What made you want to become a DJ? A. I’ve always loved music and looked up to a DJ by the name of Todd Terry. I seen the success he had so it made me realize that I can make a living doing it. Q. What are one of your best experiences working at Hot 107.9 as a DJ? A. Having a set on a birthday bash, that was amazing because I never got a chance to go to birthday bash because I was working for the rival station and my first time at birthday bash I was djing. Q. What are some challenges being a DJ
and traveling around the world? A. You miss home and family, you miss precious moments because you’re always working and traveling. Q. What differentiate you from other DJ’s? A. My versatility, I can be djing a trap spot then the next day do an upscale event then the next day dj a reggae/ dancehall party. Q. Who would you consider to be a DJ legend and Why? A. Todd Terry, Dj Premier, Dj Kid Capri and most Dj’s from that era because they started trends that people still follow now and they basically taught a whole generation how you are supposed to dj.
Q. Who influenced you to be a DJ? A. Todd Terry was from my neighborhood and I used to see him drive all types of nice cars, so to me that confirmed that you can do what you love and make great money, Q. Can you give advice to upcoming DJ’s A. Work relentlessly and don’t give up, no gig is too small or too big. Q. Where can we follow you and what projects you working on? A. Follow me at @ djkashatl. I’m working on a Ep that is produced by me, it’s a international sounding project that you can dance to.
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DJ STORMY
Q. How did you get the Name Dj Stormy? A. Stormy is so much more than a name. I evacuated to Atlanta during Hurricane Katrina. What I thought was going to be a two day mini vacation turned into months of uncertainty. We were identified as evacuees from the storm. Months turned into years from this life-changing disaster. Hurricane Katrina became a part of me, 26
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so I became a Storm(y)! The perfect Storm to be exact! My social media is Stormy Atl, because New Orleans raised me and Atlanta birthed the entertainer you see today. Q. What made you want to be a DJ? A. I was on the business side of the music industry for years, but I always had this ear and love for music. I released an EDM/ Hip Hop EP in 2016 titled
“Venom Kisses”! In the EDM genre most artist are DJ’s, so it was a natural progression for me to evolve into a DJ. Unfortunately, it was also one of the hardest tasks set in front of me...being a woman and a woman of color in a male dominated industry. Q. What are some current challenges being an Dj and traveling all around the world? A. One of the biggest challenges is being a female DJ in a maledominated industry. Many can look the part but to earn respect in this industry you have to put in the work, become knowledgeable and learn the craft. Respect is only given to those who earn it. It’s a high price to pay and even higher being a female. I travel frequently and enjoy seeing different parts of the world. Travel takes a toll on the body and leaves very little time to eat healthy and work out. It’s a tough task but can be done with a very structured schedule and commitment. Q. Do you think its harder to get a DJ gig as a female than male in the Industry ? A. I definitely think it’s harder getting a DJ gig as a female. Historically males were behind the turntables and that became the image of a DJ. Spinderella became iconic because she was one of the very few that had a platform and even then I’m sure many didn’t take her serious. Like
and being part of Carnival as a US ambassador to Carnival. The feeling of going back home in the capacity of a female DJ/ entertainer was such an amazing experience!
Spinderella, we have to prove ourselves to sit at the table because so many take us as a gimmick! Q. What Differentiate you from the rest of the DJ ? A. I believe what differentiates me from the other Djs is the work I put in building my brand and respect in this industry. Nothing comes easy or overnight to anyone. My energy, style and ability to entertain is very unique. Q. How would you define your “style” or approach to providing DJ Entertainment? A. I consider myself over the top! I have a high energy and love to engage with my audience. I love the microphone and emceeing my sets. Depending on the event, I may bring out themed
Carnival Dancers or special guests. You can’t fit me in a box or force me to play a specific genre. I get booked to be me, which is the most amazing feeling in the world. Q. Who or What Influenced you to be a DJ? A. My mother was a Soca singer in the Caribbean and father an avid lover of all music genres. I am originally from Trinidad and Tobago, but grew up in New Orleans in what I feel is one of the most influential music cities in America. Spinderella, Jazzy Jeff, Mannie Fresh and so many others inspires me daily as a DJ. Q. What is one of the best experiences you have had being a DJ? A. My most memorable experience is traveling back to my home country of Trinidad and Tobago
Q. Can you give any advice to upcoming DJ? A. The biggest piece of advice I can give any new DJ is to be YOU. There is no need for two Stormy‘s in the market. Be original at everything you do. Always seek a mentor and spend time learning the craft. Educate yourself on the history and evolution of being a DJ. If it comes easy, it’s probably because you’re not setting yourself apart. Take the time to build your brand. Take the time to build relationships. Take the time to invest in yourself. My motto is to always go against the grain and be bold in everything that you do. Q. What are your goals in the next 5 years? A. Some of my goals Include bringing more women djs to the forefront. I have a goal of doing more TV both unscripted and scripted. As a creative I definitely have some projects that I’m working on and executive producing. In the next five years I hope to have trail blazed and open more doors and gain access to platforms for female entertainers like myself. Q. Tell everyone where they can follow you. A. Follow me on all plateforms @djstormy.
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