NOVEMBER
CONTENTS
DJ ICE 04 KEL 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 REIGNZ 50 DJ WAFFLES 52 DJ FLUX 54 DJ HOLLYWOOD 56 DJ SIX 40 58
06 DJ KEL
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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.
DJ KURUPT Q. What made you want to be a DJ?
A. What made me become
a DJ, initially was my love for sound and being able to adjust that sound to a more unique sound. Once I saw that people loved what I create made it more understanding that I had something really good and that inspired me to continue creating.
Q. What is one of your special moments you had being a DJ?
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A. One special moment I
had from being a DJ was when I was called up on stage to accept my award from the Justo Music Awards back in the early 2000s. That was a proud moment for me coming up and being selected in categories with other good DJs RIP. “Justo Fasion�.
Q. What is something you would like to change in the DJ world?
A. One thing that I would
change in the DJ world or
add is that all of the DJs and DJ coalitions come together collectively to have huge fundraisers and to support homelessness and generate more opportunity for the homes of low income.
Q. What are some of the challenges you have being a DJ?
A. I look at challenges from me being a DJ comes as anything in life, there are days when everything is going amazing and then there are days when things
aren’t so smooth, when things are becoming a huge challenge I normally would take a short break and come back at the situation from another angle but never giving up. Here’s one example: Back in February of 2015 I was shot by a stray bullet which nearly took my life, and although I have recovered it has affected my mobility, but with the strength from God I wake up with a mind to keep pushing. So again, and trust me. I know it isn’t easy so I say to do the best you can and never give up.
Q. What Differentiate you from the rest of the DJ’s ?
A. My ability to create is what I feel that would differentiate me from other DJ’s as I do believe everyone and all DJ’s has that one thing about them that is unique just as God, the creator of all things made it.
Q. Who would you consider to be a DJ Legend and Why?
A. I really consider DJ Red Alert a legend, DJ Kid Kapri a Legend, DJ Khaled a legend, and many more DJs.
Q. Who or What Influenced you to be a DJ?
A. The music is what really influenced me to become a DJ. Growing up I’ve always had a ton of cd’s and cassettes of all genre and later on being inspired by other DJ’s such as DJ Ron G, DJ Mars, DJ Craig G, and many other DJs. I loved it and so I stuck with it.
Q. What kind of equipment do you like working with and why?
A. I like to use the classic technic 1200’s because these are what I first started out with and the control on the vinyl is amazing to me.
Q. Can you give any advice to upcoming DJ’s?
A. My advice to any and all upcoming DJs is to always remember why you started, and to look at the crowd like you have something for them whether it’s 10 or 100 people in the room
you have to rock that crowd like its 1000 people in the room.
Q. Tell everyone where they can follow you and what project you are working on?
A. You can follow me on Instagram, Twitter, SoundCloud, and YouTube @ DJKurupt or log on to www.djkurupt. com. Also, make sure to log on to www.TheDayIdiedBook. com and stay tuned for my first book The Day I Died @ TheDayIDiedBook on Instagram and Twitter.
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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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Q. Do you think that it is hard for Women DJ to get gigs? A. I believe it takes a little more effort to gain the respect in a sense. If you notice in the industry, there is very little representation from women in the main stream from DJs to producers. I still get people saying, we gotta have you on this show because we’ve never had a female DJ before. I’m thinking like for real in 2019! But hey I’m grateful for the opportunity. I believe women are as skilled as men in music and technology and are a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. Q. What made you want to be a DJ? A. I was born to a Mother who is very musically inclined, so I’ve always had a strong love for music from Gospel to Hip Hop to Soul. I’m also a rapper and it has wharfed into DJing. I was making “mixtapes” in college for people and didn’t even realize it. Starting off with UGK and ending with The Clark Sisters. Pray for me! I have a passion for music in general. DJs are musicians and whether it’s two turntables and a mixer or a controller, it’s an instrument. You can manipulate songs with mixing and creativity.
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DJ MS. ECLECTIC Q. What are some current challenges as a women DJ? A. There is a pre conceived notion (for some I’ll say), that women don’t know what they are doing when it comes to anything audio or technical. When you walk into the room, sometimes the audio personnel act like you don’t know where the cords go or there were times when I would walk
into an event with my ex and they would assume he was the DJ. When you tell them you are the DJ, the shock on their face is amazing. Good times. Q. What kind of equipment do you like working with and why? A. I love Pioneer and Numark. I have been using both for years. Pioneer DDJ-SX2 is amazing for portability
when I’m traveling. I love the Numark NS7III because it’s one of the few controllers that has rotating platters. Now I’m not a turntablist but definitely getting into the art. Respect to the turntablists! Q. What Differentiate you from the rest of the DJ ? A. I think fusing all of my God given talents and my ear for music. I would say I’m not just a DJ or even profess to be the best DJ but more of a music connoisseur. Being a rapper and also a radio personality, I try to fuse all of these together in a mix and my profession in general. Also my ability to mix old school and new school, no matter the genre is something I love to do. Even when I’m playing urban contemporary gospel (my main genre), I’m going to incorporate some old school hip hop like “Let Me Clear My Throat” to create the Eclectic Experience. Q. Who is your favorite DJ of all time? A. That’s a hard one to name but I’ll talk about who I grew up on like Jazzy Jeff and Kid Capri. They were so dope and still are to this day! They have longevity in this game. And then I have to give it up for the women and shout out Spinderella from the female hip hop standpoint!
Q. What are some mistakes you see in a lot of up coming Dj? A. Hmm. Let me see… Not taking advice from older DJs with the experience and knowledge of the art form, wanting to learn how to scratch so bad that you don’t learn the fundamentals of DJing. I’ve been guilty of some of these myself. I think that being a DJ is so accessible now that you have to sit back, respect and learn the craft. You could be naturally good at it but like everything, it’s good to practice and study. Q. What or who inspired you to be a Dj? A. Music inspired me. I can live without a TV, but I cannot live without music. Let me be honest here. I graduated college, got my first real job and I was like they taking all these taxes out of my check! So, I was like I need a side hustle. Why not combine your love for music with an art form. I was already making “mixtapes” in college so some people already thought I was a DJ, so I reached out to all of my friends who were DJs and the rest is history. Q. Can you give any advice to upcoming DJ? A. Keep God first and find a mentor. I’ve been blessed to have a few. Shout out to Grandmaster DJ Mix and DJ Soul. They keep you grounded and on point.
Music inspired me. I can live without a TV, but I cannot live without music. Also, learn the business side of the industry and know that there are so many outlets for DJing outside of parties and clubs. There is radio, award shows, concerts/tours, and too many to name. Seek the opportunities and rock them. Q. Tell everyone where they can follow you and what project you are working on? A. Follow me at @ DJMsEclectic on all social media. My website is www.DJMsEclectic. com. I currently have a single out called “Love It (An Old School Ode) available on all digital outlets! “Music is a universal language that’s infectious. It uplifts one’s spirits. It’s more than beats, melodies and hooks, it’s the tune that defines lives.” MAGAZINE
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DJ NABS
Q. How did you come up with the name DJ Nabs? A. My bestfriend Alton Lucus back in Duhram NC where I am from had started calling me Nabs. I was like what is Nabs? They were skinny Briscoe Cookies in 6th grade. I hated it but it stuck. I started Djing 4 yrs later in 10th grade I became DJ Nabs the Biscoe Disco. Q. What made you want to become a DJ? A.It was the early 80’s. I never had any interest in rapping. I did try to break dance but it did not work out and I became an DJ.
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Q. What are some challenges being a DJ? A. Staying inspired meaning sometimes music can become so mudain when people are copying whatever is hot at the moment. That gets disappointing and uninspiring but then always a new artist, new record, new remix or new style that comes out and sometimes comes from the Dj that changes music. Its always a challenge dealing with the cut and paste, copy and paste aspect of the music business in society.
Q. How did you get in with being a DJ for So So Def? A. With So So Def I started it with Jermaine with him making mixtapes and at that time I was on Radio and V103. When Jermaine finally got a deal with So So Def this was after Kris Kross. For Kris Kross which I ended up DJing for in 1992 which was Jermaine group was not on So So Def they was on Rough house records out of philly. Then Jermaine got So So Def recording that we now know and that first group was Xscape which I DJ for
them before at that time. I end up meeting Jermaine through my friends Arrested Development who had a hit that same year as Kris Kross called Tennessee. Hot 97.5 same thing I known Jerry Smokin B who is an radio legend and he called me in 95 that we had a new rap station and wanted me to come on over I was at V103 at the time. A year later they asked me again and decided to go to Hot 97.5 in 1996 they was a year old at the time. Q. What differentiate you from the rest of the DJ’s? A.We all is Different its just tapping into your own pesonal super power thats how I describe it. I haven’t always felt like I was different than any DJ. A lot of times I felt like I wasn’t good enough but that’s what made me practice a lot. I know I am a really good DJ and that I am passionate about it and the more that I draw from my own individual vibe that’s how I create things like Ol school Sundays at clyde that people still talk about or when I repost my videos people repost it because they still feel it. Most of all I just try to be me. Q. How does it feel to be a legend in this game & how did you stay relevant for all these years? A. It’s definitely an over use word because the people I consider a legend like DJ Grand Master
Flash so I do not compare myself to them. So when people call me a legend I know what they mean and I take the good feeling from that. I never worry about staying relevant because I know my god purpose. I think it’s a word people been using the last 15 years but I am doing gods purpose.
great to have digital vinyl that you can access. I would encourage anyone that’s djing to put their hands on vinyl and don’t be afraid of it. And be the best of both worlds. You want to be balance. I do not have anything negative of things coming out its not about the equipment its about the person.
Q. Who or What influenced you to be a DJ? A. Many things…. Learning and that I loved music as a child. I played saxophone very early and instrumentation from jr high to military. I am from Durham played in a lot of bands and I love music. I was the Neighborhood DJ in Durham I consider being influenced by DJ’s but the early ones that influcened me was Grand Master Flash,next Master Ice from Utfo, Jazzy Jeff, Dj Kash Money, Grand Mixer DXT, Jazz Master Jeff, Grand Master D the early 80’s you had to know how to mix and scratch there was no games back then.
Q. Can you give any advice to upcoming Dj’s? A. Stay true to your craft whatever that may be and then if you the type that can master more than one craft than do that. Master that craft master the next one that’s how you become and prince to me. Prince was a genius a writer, ranger, musician, performer. Dj is not one thing you can produce being on the radio is different being a music director on stage is different, like production not just producing music but producing the show, producing the event. I can produce at Las Vegas show then produce the Atl crunk music fest, I can produce something on Tom Joyner family reunion. As a Dj we have that ability when we master that craft.
Q. What are the pro’s and con’s of working with digital equipment vs analog? A. We all use analog in some form and fashion anolog is just anything in the real world. So the mixer we touch is analog picture if someone is just djing with their laptop alone you can say just digital but most DJ are doing both. I think it is
Q. Tell everyone where they can follow you and what projects you are working on? A. I love Instagram. @Dj nabs. The projects I am working on now is High, Mids , and Lows which is my album. First single “Hour Glass” is out now.........This Nabs MAGAZINE
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