SheJay Scarlett

BLOCKDYMEZ: First I’d like to welcome you to BLOCKDYMEZ.COM, how did you hear about the site?

SheJayScarlett: “First things first!” Thank you for inviting me to the site. You guys started following me on Twitter one day, I returned the follow, and now, here we are...

BLOCKDYMEZ: How long have you been a DJ and what made u want to be a DJ?

SheJayScarlett: I’ve been a DJ for almost three years now... I was at a wedding a few years back and met an incredible DJ here in Buffalo, NY.. DJ ICEBERG.. I was blown away by his skills and swagger on the tables. He won me over with an old school set of his.. I asked him to teach me and he’s been my mentor ever since.. I can’t thank him enough for bringing my love for music and a hidden talent to DJ together the way he did. Also, be exposed to the ZULU Nation, simply confirmed that being a DJ is where I needed and wanted to be.

BLOCKDYMEZ: What DJ's have influenced you?

SheJayScarlett: I’m continuously influenced by my mentor on a regular basis. Also, being an Old School Hip Hop head from the Bronx, I’ve always been drawn to Afrika Bambaataa, and the ENTIRE Zulu Nation. With the likes of Jazzy Jay, Jazzy Jeff, Easy LG, Grandwizzard Theodore, Kool Herc, Jam Master Jay, Flash, Grandmaster Caz, Jazzy Joyce, and a host of so many other DJ’s, a list too long to name. But quite frankly, I’m impressed by ANY DJ! We’re all never too old to learn new tricks and every DJ has his/her own style.. I’m a student amongst my peers.. Here in Buffalo, we have a close DJ family with a motto of “Each One, Teach One”.. so having that in the back of my head keeps me humble, allows me to be open to ideas, lessons, and especially influences, even if you’re a 17 year DJ, I’m learning from you! (DJ All Star..Mr. Get It Poppin!)

BLOCKDYMEZ: How would you describe your style as a DJ?

SheJayScarlett: Getting in the game at a VERY young 30! HA! I’ve already had my own music style and set favorite playlist embedded in my brain, so I lean strongly toward Old School Hip Hop, and B-side Bangers, I love to rock songs that you don’t hear in the clubs or aren’t on Billboards Top 50, I think that’s where a lot of artist, new and old, get the real respect. I think that’s how we let them (the artist) know that we really appreciate their music, and aren’t trying to, along with most mainstreams, brainwash the masses.. Artist put a lot of time and effort into the whole album, but the sales only reflect the promotion of a few singles. That’s like me working for 8 hours and only getting paid for two! That’s just my opinion..(and I’m sticking with it)…but knowing that you got to be “well rounded” that top 50 will get that play form me as well.. Trying to please everyone gives you the reward of spinning a nice variety..

BLOCKDYMEZ: I see you are from Upstate NY. What flavor does being from there bring to your mixes?

SheJayScarlett: Great question! I’m from the Bronx but I’ve been to a lot of cities, and have seen a lot of DJ’s “rocking a crowd” and what I learned, is that, just like the saying goes “It ain’t where you from, it’s where you’re at!” Crowd participation, depends mostly on song selection and keeping the party moving, smoothly – “with finesse” as my mentor says it.. And he also told me (several times) “Look at your crowd!! See who you’re spinning for”… I used the same crate in the Bronx to warm up a party as I did here in Buffalo, same great response.. To me it’s more so the DJ’s confidence, good song selection, getting that crowd participation, and rocking it out.. Hence, “It ain’t where you from, it’s where you’re at!”

BLOCKDYMEZ: If you could only have 10 records in your collection what would they be?

SheJayScarlett: Oh no, that’s not fair, just 10? Let me see… Well::::

BLOCKDYMEZ: Do you have any new projects that you want to tell us about.

SheJayScarlett: I’m working on my website www.ShejayScarlett.com. There, I’ll be uploading mixes and links to companies I deal with such as www.LyricsToGo.net, www.ThinkAlotEnt.com and The Union Music Group. I’ll be posting links to parties, events, concerts, and contact information and promos that ANY DJ would love to share. Every now and again, you can catch me spinning alongside Zulu Nations own Afrika Bambaata, and The Cutman LG, on their ZULU BEATS show on XM SIRUIS SATILITE RADIO’s BackSpin Station on Friday night’s at10pm, which is also hosted by Ice-T’s manager Mick Benzo.

BLOCKDYMEZ: There are not a lot of places that promote FEMALE DJ's. What's it like to be in a industry dominated by males?

SheJayScarlett: MAN! I LOVE IT (Pun Intended).. I rocks with the fellas! I love men!! I hung out with a slew of men coming up, being so close to my brother and all… so I can handle it. I like the attention, I like the respect. I haven’t encountered a problem yet, but I’m sure the time will come. But for now, focusing on developing my craft and being appreciative to the love and support I get from the fellas is key to being able to handle in this craft. Right now, I’m surrounded by a great group of male DJ’s in Buffalo, NY..and when I go home to the Boogie Down, it’s nothing but love there as well from the Zulu Nation brothers.. I stay humble, no matter the sex..

BLOCKDYMEZ: What was the hardest obstacle you had to overcome as a female DJ?

SheJayScarlett: CONFIDENCE… I still get a little nervous.. I’m not gonna front, that confidence took a long time to conquer. “You’re not in Kansas anymore Dorothy” was the feeling I would get, especially if my mentor, DJ Iceberg was standing over me… Or The Cutman LG giving me a shot that he knew DAMN well he should’ve had a vet do (Ice T’s Birthday Party). His confidence in me outshined my own self-confidence, and he said.. “You can do it, now go in the booth and rock it out!” and I did! Seeing that confidence others have in you, gets that motivation to come to light, to “do better” and becoming better.. hitting that “easy” button and it’s “on to the next one.” And I know my fellow female DJ’s feel me on this one…. Carrying ALL of your own equipment!! I had to beef up a lil for that!! HA!

BLOCKDYMEZ: How are you received by your male counterparts?

SheJayScarlett: They gotta love me, I’m leaving them with NO other choice!

BLOCKDYMEZ: What advice would you give to any up and coming female DJ's trying to get to that next level?

SheJayScarlett: Be real, be yourself and no one else.. It’s only as hard as YOU make it. Have fun; if you love what you’re doing then it will never be “work.” Grind, and grind so more.. F&*% the masses that skipped the classes to show their as*es for the free passes… There’s a lot of self reward when you work for what you got.. and getting what you work for.. As a lady, it always about self respect, if you don’t respect yourself, who will…?

BLOCKDYMEZ: We are at the end of this interview…..thanks for taking the time to let BLOCKDYMEZ and BLOCKWORKZ get to know you….any last words????

SheJayScarlett: Yes! THANK YOU for the recognition! I appreciate what you’re doing out there by helping us female DJ’s set a path to being seen as concrete as the male DJ’s. And of course my “Grammy thank you’s” to DJ Iceberg, The Cutman LG, DJ MoneyNice, SheJay A’Millian, and All My Fellow SnoCone Alum fam of DJ’s out here in Buffalo, NY….. Representing! “Each One Teach One!”

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