Author Archives: Patricia Lin

DJ Tessa performs at the LA Food Bowl. (Credit: Matthew Withers)

In an industry that is still predominantly run by men, Tessa Young a.k.a. DJ Tessa is pushing boundaries for female DJs. While DJing in Los Angeles in the early 2010s, the Reno, Nevada native noticed that booking agencies had few women on their rosters. With years of DJ experience, connections, and a paralegal background, Tessa launched Prism DJs, an all-female agency.

Launched in 2015, Prism books DJs for mostly mobile gigs such as corporate events, weddings, and other special and private events. The agency currently has 23 DJs on its roster, including Annalyze, ShanLynn, MissNINJA, and Frazier Davis. As the female DJ movement continues to rise, we caught up with Tessa to discuss Prism DJs, the challenges of running an all-female agency, what she looks for when signing new talent, and more.

Why do you think there is such a low number of women represented by DJ agencies?

I think there are just more male DJs than female DJs in general, so it was never going to be equal based on the ratio. But now, in a time when mixing and production lessons are more accessible, less intimidating, and our male counterparts are more supportive, I see more women genuinely interested in music production and DJing. In turn, more women will be added to these rosters eventually. We all need to make it a priority to level up creatively and skill-wise if we want to play on the same field.

How does Prism differ from other agencies?

Our DJs are talented, vetted, and have several years of experience. Also, I make it a priority to protect Prism’s DJs by being transparent, ensuring timely payments, handling riders, logistics, and securing, and enforcing contracts.

What are some of the unique skills required for being a mobile DJ versus a club or festival DJ?

Being a mobile DJ is definitely more labor intensive if you are setting up and breaking down your own gear. If there is a technical problem, you need to know how to fix it yourself. As a mobile DJ, especially for weddings and dance parties, the DJ needs to know how to read a crowd and select accordingly, be aware of energy levels, have knowledge of many genres, and span generations of music. Club and festival DJs might have the luxury of playing their own produced tracks or a curated set. Sometimes they get their own on-site audio technicians that standby to handle technical difficulties for them. They can have more freedom to play what they want or what they specialize in, rather than a mobile DJ that caters to the crowd.

Prism DJs at Serato’s studio in Los Angeles. (Source: Instagram)

What is the biggest challenge of running an all-female DJ agency?

The Los Angeles market is very competitive, whether you are male or female. There are so many amazing DJ options. In this social media-driven world we now live in, we need to market ourselves more sophisticatedly and creatively. Just being titled a “female DJ” or “female DJ agency” does not ensure work.

What do you look for when adding new talent to your roster?

I look for several things: above-average mixing skills, exceptional selection, vast knowledge of music genres, professionalism, and a positive attitude. I prefer that the DJs can jump on any gear with ease, including turntables, CDJs, controllers, and various mixers. DJs must also have more than two years of experience playing regularly in public. In the age of social media, it is also important for the DJ to have a good online image because clients are doing their own research to make sure that their DJ choice is a good brand match for their event.

What are your plans for the company and where do you see it going?

Prism DJs is still growing as an agency and brand, so I am continuing to work diligently on that. In the very near future, I would like Prism DJs to get more involved with the community and offer workshops to young, aspiring female DJs. Other than that, we’ll just see where this takes us!

Do you have any advice for someone who’s looking to start a DJ agency ?

If you have good eyes and ears for talent, along with marketing, management, and administrative skills, then you have all the necessary elements required for a successful agency. Go for it!

Follow DJ Tessa on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Follow Prism DJs on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Related: Las Vegas Talent Buyer Dave Fogg Gives Insight Into His Booking Process

DJ Diamond Kuts performs at Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Credit: Abri and Chakhie)

Diamond Kuts, a DJ/producer from Philadelphia, has put down a half-hour of hip-hop and Jersey club for the DJcity Podcast. Her set features one of her originals and three of her remixes.

Diamond has served as the official tour DJ for stars like Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, and Chris Brown. She co-wrote and produced Minaj’s 2011 single, “Stupid H#e.”

Tracklist:

1. Cardi B ft. Migos – Drip – DJ Taj vs DJ Diamond Kuts & DJ Panic Remix
2. Cardi B – Bodak Yello – DJ Diamond Kuts vs DJ Taj Remix
3. DJ Diamond Kuts – Clock Work
4. Mason Ramsey – Walmart Yodel – Jersey Club Remix
5. BlocBoy JB ft. Drake – Look Alive – DJ Diamond Kuts Remix
6. BlocBoy JB ft. Drake – Look Alive
7. BlocBoy JB – Shoot
8. Sheck Wes – Mo Bamba
9. Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future, & James Blake – King’s Dead
10. G-Eazy ft. A$AP Rocky & Cardi B – No Limit
11. Maliibu Mitch – Give Her Some Money
12. Nicki Minaj – Chun-Li
13. Saweetie – ICY GRL
14. DJ Perry – Where The Ladies At – Weezy Twerk Mix
15. HoodCelebrityy – Walking Trophy
16. Rich The Kid – Plug Walk
17. YG ft. 2 Chainz, Big Sean, & Nicki Minaj – Big Bank
18. Drake – Nice For What

Follow DJ Diamond Kuts on Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, and Twitter.

Related: DJ QD Drops DJcity Podcast Mix

DJ QD, a veteran open-format DJ based in Austin, Texas has served up a mix of mostly twerk and moombahton for the DJcity Podcast. His high-energy set features nearly two dozen remixes, bootlegs, and edits.

Tracklist:

1. Ying Yang Twins – Badd – MAKJ & Max Skyler Remix
2. Eve – Let Me Blow Ya Mind – Kerry Glass Remix
3. Ciara – Goodies – Kidcutup Gimmi Bootleg
4. Bubba Sparxxx – Ms. New Booty – Anthem Kingz Mayhem Bootleg
5. Joe Budden – Pump It Up – MAKJ Remix
6. Panjabi MC – Mundian To Bach Ke – Kees Sjansen Remix
7. DMX – Party Up – Kidcutup Bubble and Wine Bootleg
8. Travis Porter – Ayy Ladies – Big Syphe Puro Pari Remix
9. 4B & TEEZ – Whistle – DJ Valid Remix
10. DJ Kool – Let Me Clear My Throat – Frnkrok Twerk Remix
11. Pharoahe Monch – Simon Says – Kerry Glass Remix
12. Lil Jon – Outta Your Mind – DJ Primetyme Alive Bootleg
13. Ludacris – Stand Up – Frnkrok Remix
14. Missy Elliott – Work It – Falcons Remix
15. Rihanna – Birthday Cake – DJ Smerk Mayhem Bootleg
16. 50 Cent – Candy Shop – Naffz Remix
17. Beyonce – Crazy In Love – Tall Boys vs DJ Serg Club Edit
18. Sean Paul – Get Busy – Jupiter Son Remix
19. Fatman Scoop – Be Faithful – Kerry Glass Magenta Riddim Bootleg
20. Beenie Man – Dude – JEKEY vs Ape Drums Bookshelf Edit
21. Usher – Yeah – Kidcutup vs Buko Breaks & Kees Sjansen Bootleg

Follow DJ QD on Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, and Twitter.

Related: DJ RayRock Delivers DJcity Podcast Latino Mix

DJ Remake performs at Urban Zoo in Berlin. (Source: Facebook)

DJ Remake, the 2017 Red Bull Music 3Style Germany champion, has put down a half-hour mix for the DJcity Podcast. His turntablist set features mostly hip-hop and includes one of his own bootlegs.

Tracklist:

1. Colonel Loud & Ricco Barrino – Serious
2. Drake – Nice For What
3. Lil Dicky ft. Chris Brown – Freaky Friday
4. Ed Sheeran – Shape Of You – Skit of Toni A. & Steve S. Remix
5. The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar – Pray For Me
6. Nicky Minaj – Chun-Li
7. Swae Lee ft. Slim Jxmmi – Guatemala
8. Post Malone – Better Now
9. Chris Brown ft. Yo Gotti, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, & Kodak Black – Pills & Automobiles
10. Huncho Jack, Travis Scott, & Quavo – Saint
11. Diplo ft. French Montana & Lil Pump ft. Zhavia Ward – Welcome To The Party
12. Salt ‘N’ Pepa – Whatta Man
13. G-Eazy ft. A$AP Rocky & Cardi B – No Limit
14. Dexter Wansel & H. Smith – New Beginning
15. The Lox – Money Power Respect
16. Michael Jackson – Man In The Mirror – DJ Remake Bootleg

Follow DJ Remake on Facebook, Instagram, and Mixcloud.

Related: JCU3 Drops DJcity Podcast Latino Mix

DJ BYTE performs at UP Socialclub in Chile. (Source: Instagram)

DJ BYTE, the 2015 Red Bull Music 3Style world champion, has put down a creative mix for the DJcity Podcast. In addition to featuring a wide range of styles, the Chilean native includes live blends throughout.

Tracklist:

1. Logic – Everybody – Acapella
2. Modern Romance – Everybody Salsa
3. Priceless Da Roc – Go Sus – Acapella
4. Ninetoes & Fatboy Slim – Finder (Hope) – DJ Primetyme Club Edit
5. Atman – Sarrada Medieval
6. Cardi B – Bodak Yellow – Acapella
7. Bad Bunny – Chambea
8. C&C Music Factory – Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)
9. DJ Snake ft. George Maple – Talk
10. Kent Jones – Merengue
11. N.0.R.E. ft. Nina Sky & Big Mato – Oye Mi Canto – KidCutUp One Dance Bootleg
12. DJ BrainDeaD – Rewind
13. 50 Cent – P.I.M.P. – Ziggy Remix
14. Sean Paul – Like Glue – Flabbergasted Remix
15. N.E.R.D. ft. Rihanna – Lemon – Drake Remix
16. Iggy Azalea – Mo Bounce
17. Iggy Azalea – Mo Bounce – Acapella
18. DJ Snake – Magenta Riddim
19. Timmy Trumpet & Savage – Deja Vu – Henry Fong Remix
20. Bad Royale ft. Richie Loop – Lock Off Di Dance
21. Master HP ft. Leftside – Come To Me
22. Master HP ft. Leftside – Come To Me – Acapella
23. Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – Finesse Remix – Breakbeat Vocal Intro
24. Full Crate – Pump Up The Jam Remix
25. Davido – Fall
26. Wizkid ft. Drake – Come Closer
27. DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna – Wild Thoughts – Bee’s Knees Remix

Follow DJ BYTE on Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, and Twitter.

Related: DJ Morales Delivers DJcity Podcast Latino Mix

Just a week after releasing “Welcome To The Party,” Diplo has returned with a video for his collab with French Montana, Lil Pump, and Zhavia Ward. The song, which appears on the Deadpool 2 soundtrack, is currently No. 1 on DJcity’s Hot Box chart.

The visual includes scenes from the top-earning film and features the four artists partying it up at an underground venue.

Watch above and download “Welcome To The Party” on DJcity.

Related: Watch Diplo’s ‘Color Blind’ Video Feat. Lil Xan

Fresh off her win for top rap female artist at Sunday’s Billboard Music Awards, Cardi B has unveiled a video for her single, “Be Careful.” The track, which was DJcity’s ninth most downloaded track of April, is currently No. 25 on Billboard’s Hot 100.

Filmed in the desert, the visual shows a romance gone wrong. It starts off with Cardi walking down the aisle and getting married. However, as she raps about infidelity, the video takes a dark turn when she appears at her husband’s funeral.

Watch above and download “Be Careful” on DJcity.

Related: Watch Cardi B’s ‘Bartier Cardi’ Video Feat. 21 Savage

Anderson .Paak. (Source: Instagram)

DJcity’s weekly picks are selected by Kidd Spin. To receive them via email, click here.

Related: Must-Play Tracks for the Weekend: May 11

DJ Total Eclipse. (Credit: Cyclone Imaging)

DJ Total Eclipse, a member of New York’s world famous X-Ecutioners DJ crew, has thrown down a versatile mix for the DJcity Podcast. His half-hour set features mostly moombahton, future bass, trap, and hip-hop. The champion for the first ever ITF World Championships in 1996, Eclipse also put his turntablism skills on display.

Formerly known as the X-Men, The X-Ecutioners were formed in 1989. Original members of the group included Mista Sinista, Rob Swift, and Roc Raida. DJ Total Eclipse became an official part of the collective in 1996.

Stream or download his DJcity Podcast mix below.

Tracklist:

1. NF vs Calvin Harris ft. Florence Welch – Let You Down vs Sweet Nothing – Dibs & MGM Loudest MF Bootleg
2. 2 Chainz ft. Travis Scott – 4 AM – DJ Valid Remix
3. David Guetta & Afrojack ft. Charli XCX & French Montana – Dirty Sexy Money
4. Taylor Swift – Ready For It – Cherry Beach Remix
5. Iggy Azalea ft. Rita Ora – Black Widow – Hipshaker & Ken Roll Remix
6. Rihanna ft. Chris Brown – Birthday Cake – DJ Smerk Mayhem Bootleg
7. Tinashe ft. Ty Dolla $ign & French Montana – Me So Bad
8. Tropkillaz ft. Aloe Blacc – Milk & Honey
9. Nicki Minaj – Chun-Li – Tall Boys Bend Ova Bootleg
10. Eve ft. Gwen Stefani – Let Me Blow Ya Mind – Kerry Glass Remix
11. Lil Pump – Esskeetit
12. Ayo & Teo – Like Us
13. Post Malone ft. 21 Savage – Rockstar – Anthem Kingz VIP Blend
14. Yellow Claw ft. Becky G – For The Thrill
15. Rick Ross vs DJ Snake & Yellow Claw – Trap Trap Trap – Tek One Bootleg Edit
16. Yellow Claw ft. Juicy J & Lil Debbie – City On Lockdown
17. The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army – DJ Squared Remix
18. Cesqeaux – Back Up – PUROFUEGO Remix
19. DJ Snake – Magenta Riddim – Dibs & MGM 75-102 Transition
20. Los Del Rio – Macarena – DJ Dexterous Magenta Riddim Bootleg
21. Enrique Iglesias ft. Pitbull – Move To Miami
22. Pitbull – Roof On Fire – 103-118 Transition
23. Problem ft. Bad Lucc – Get On It – Problem First Edit
24. Bruno Mars – When I Was Your Man – Hipshaker Remix

Follow DJ Total Eclipse on Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, and Twitter.

Related: Listen to DJ J-Star’s DJcity Podcast Mix

DJ KA5, DJcity’s Miami representative, has served up a creative mix for the DJcity Podcast. His half-hour set features hip-hop, trap, Latin-influenced dance music, and more. KA5’s mix also includes seven of his own edits as well as some wordplay.

Tracklist:

1. KRS-One – Step Into A World – DJ KA5 Edit
2. Migos – Stir Fry – Skratch Bastid Edit
3. 21 Savage, Offset, & Metro Boomin – Ric Flair Drip
4. 2 Chainz ft. Cap 1 – Where You Been – Tall Boys 100-67 Transition
5. T.I.- What You Know
6. Bruno Mars – That’s What I Like – DJ KA5 Acap Out Edit
7. Cardi B ft. Bad Bunny & J Balvin – I Like it
8. Bad Bunny – Chambea – DJ J Star Remix
9. DJ Khaled ft. JAY Z & Future – I Got The Keys
10. DJ Khaled ft. JAY Z, Future, & Beyonce – Top Off – DJ Scene Ole Bootleg
11. Wuki – DADADADA
12. David Guetta ft. Kid Cudi – Memories – Dropwizz & Dollar Bear Remix
13. RL Grime – Era – Four Color Zack Edit
14. Panic! At The Disco – I Write Sins Not Tragedies – DJ Scene Wave Board Bootleg
15. Post Malone ft. 21 Savage – rockstar – DJ KA5 Edit
16. Beastie Boys – So What’cha Want – DJ KA5 Edit
17. Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future, & James Blake – King’s Dead – DJ KA5 Edit
18. Three 6 Mafia – Side 2 Side – DJ KA5 Edit
19. Rae Sremurd ft. Juicy J – Powerglide – DJ KA5 Edit
20. Drake – Fake Love – Dibs & MGM Get It Right Bootleg
21. Nicky Jam & J Balvin – X
22. Karol G – Pineapple
23. Danny Ocean – Dembow
24. Swae Lee ft. Slim Jxmmi – Guatemala
25. French Montana – Famous
26. Wizkid ft. Future – Everytime
27. Charly Black – Indian Girl (World Vibes Riddim)

Follow DJ KA5 on Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, and Twitter.

Related: Listen to DJ Refresh’s DJcity Podcast Mix