DJ Rashida is known across the globe for creating musical environments that allow partygoers to free their minds, release some stress, and dance the night away. Ironically, in these trying economic times, her job as an in-demand deejay offers a form of therapy that no doctor can lend. And based on her long list of corporate sponsors (MTV's America's Best Dance Crew) and celeb-filled showcases, as Prince's official deejay, once you've experienced Rashida's vibrations, you won't be satisfied until you get some more.
As DJ Rashida continues to take the world by storm, she managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on Michael Jackson, her first gig as a deejay, and how she survived in a male-dominated industry.
Although your life is currently immersed in the world of music, at what point did you develop an interest in music?
Well, I grew in two musical households. My mother was a Spanish radio deejay in the '70s and early '80s in New Mexico. She also played the winds — saxophone, flute. She majored in music and the flute was her main instrument. I've been listening to her do that my whole life. She sang, and that is how my father met her; she was singing Spanish boleros in clubs. My father is a record collector, and he's really into Brazilian music. So between those two things, that is where my love of music came from. As far as dee jaying goes, I really got into the club culture when I was a teenager in high school. I actually started sneaking out and going to clubs when I was 15. There were so many great scenes in Atlanta at the time. And diverse – everything from ska clubs, hip hop clubs, house clubs, drum-and-bass clubs. I kind of went through it all. And I discovered at the center of them all was the deejay. They were controlling the room and the vibe and it fascinated me. I didn't understand the mechanics of it and it seemed kind of magical to me. I just enjoyed going to clubs and dancing and hearing the music – that was the greatest thing in the world for me. As I got older, I focused my attention on deejaying.
Article comments
1 - Louise Gomes
Wow, great interview. DJ Rashida rocks!
2 - ur lucky starr
DJ Rashida is my new hero! I saw her at Kiss N Grind last month and have been following her since. Her mix that night was incredible!! My friends and I COULDN'T get off the dance floor, literally (lol). Big ups for this interview. Check this one out as well, a really cool video interview with DJ Rashida about DJing, inspiration, etc. Enjoy!