Hey SE family! I was so happy to be chosen to be the Industry Spotlight of the week for I Am PR Agency. We have worked with Olivia Dikambi in bringing more light to some of the artist that she does PR for such as Lerix, The White House Band, Jesse Abraham, and Kandys i-Kandy. We will continue to work with her great company. I will also continue on my musical journey and keep spinnin' nothing but the dopeness for y'all. Hard work pays off. I hope you all enjoy the interview!
08 May 2011
[Industry Spotlight]: DJ Lady Essence
2:34 PM 
I AM PR Agency 
Introduce yourself
1. I go by the name DJ Lady Essence. I originally hail from Bridgeport, CT, but currently reside in Mount Vernon, NY. I spin on an internet radio show every Tuesday called “Soul Exchange” with DJ Brown Boi and Mike Thompson on www.inthemixxradio.com. I also write for our blog, www.soulexchangelive.blogspot.com.
2 - How did you get your start in music?
2. I always had a natural love for music. I used to go to my aunt Patricia’s house when I was young to play with my cousins. My aunt would play all her albums from Motown artist, Stax Records, etc. That is where I learned the art of live music and soul. Music was always alive and well in my household. My dad plays piano, my older sis played clarinet, and my lil brother played the trumpet. I played snare drum and violin in my middle school band. I wanted to keep up with the lessons, but my high school didnt have a band so that was the end of it. I fell in love with hip-hop at an early age. I listened to 98.7 on Friday and Saturday nights and watched Video Soul on BET and Video Music Box. I started making rap tapes by waiting by the stereo for my favorite jam to come on and hit the record button so I could listen to my favorite artist at any time.
I was curious about djing after watching my cousin Sean dj in the early 90’s. He kept his Technic turntables at my house with a few records. I knew not to touch them, but of course, I did! I bought my first set of cheesy turntables in 1999 and basically taught myself to dj. I had some help from a few heads who used to see me buying vinyl in the local record shops. When I got my first car, I would come to NY to buy records at Rock and Soul and Music Factory.
I kept up with it even though I had naysayers, most of them family. I didn’t care if I became a major radio or club dj. It was something I wanted to do because I loved music. At one point, I did stop spinning for some years. I came back into it about 4 years ago as the digital art form of djing began to take precedence over vinyl. To me, it was better than carrying crates. I actually still have all my records and my Technic 1200’s. I will not let them go.
3 - What makes you stand out in the industry?
3. What makes me stand out is the fact that I don’t conform to the norm. I spin joints that you do not hear on commercial radio 40x’s per day. I play “feel good music”. The type of music that takes you on a journey and makes you feel warm inside. I play a potpourri of music. I’m a sucka for a dope beat. I spin a lot of music by producers like J. Dilla, Pete Rock, Swizz Beats, Jazzy Jeff, DJ Premier, Q-Tip, Missy, Keri Hilson, and early stuff by Will.I.Am. I also like newer cats like Nicolay, 9th Wonder, Black Milk, Von Pea, and Ski Beatz. I can’t name all of the artist I like because that will be an entirely different interview. I am also a heavy, heavy fan of neo-soul music. You will hear a lot of that in my sets also.
4 - Who are some of the people in the industry [musicians/
4. On the dj side of things, I look up to Coco Chanel. She has been in the game for a long time and gets in poppin’ better than a lot of guys. When I was living in CT, I used to listen to her spin at one of the clubs in New Haven. I also look up to Missy Elliot. She raised the bar when her music and videos came out. Her creativity continues to expand and make other go back to the drawing board.
5 - If you could emulate someones career specifically, who would it be and why?
5. Aww man, I don’t know. I just try to do my own thing and beat my own drum. There isn’t anyone in particular that I would emulate. I guess, just anyone that has that drive to grow and experience new ways to expand with the times and the future of music. I would have to say People like Berry Gordy, Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin, and Clive Davis are some examples.
6 - In the current state of the music industry would you recommend signing to a major or go indie
6. I would go indie If I were an artist. I would want to stay true to my art form. You do not always get that opportunity when you sign with a major label. You become a carbon copy. Now, if you are looking at the financial perspective then I would go with a mainstream label. Whatever floats your boat.
7 - The music industry is a tough one, competitive, with a lots of “politics” involved, what keeps you going? Keeps you motivated?
7. What keeps me motivated is the fact that I have a genuine love for great music of all genres. I feel like I can help independent artist by spinning their music on my radio show. This allows their music to get out to the masses. What motivates me is others that have the same spirit and have the enthusiasm to strive for better. As a dj on an internet radio station, I really do not have to deal with the label politics. My fellow dj on Soul Exchange, DJ Brown Boi and I play whatever we want without a music director or program director on our back.
8 - What’s next for you in 2011 and 2012?
8. For the next year or so I will still be on my grind to take Soul Exchange to a higher level. I believe we have something special over there between my radio show and my blog (www.soulexchangelive.blogspot.com). I’m also in pursuit of obtaining a degree in physical therapy. I’ll be the djing therapist! LOL!
