Each month the good folks at GoodFellaz TV showcase the hottest DJ’s from across the globe. This months “DJ of the Month” is DJ Lady Star, representing New Jersey.
The beautiful DJ Lady Star has been killin’ the club scene in the Tri-State area for the last couple of years, developing an impressive following at her numerous weekly events. Ya boy Tommy Gunz recently sat down with her, where we talked about everything: Growing up in Jersey, duckin’ thirsty dudes, the Lesbian party scene, NY vs. NJ club scene and much more. Check out our exclusive interview below.
Q: What’s good DJ Lady Star!! So I see you’ve been doing your thing in clubs all across the Tri-State area. Where are you from?
A: What’s up Tommy Gunz!!! I’m from Jersey, I move around a lot these days doing gigs, but I was raised in Newark, NJ.
Q: Aiiiight, “Brick City”!! How long have you been a DJ for?
A: Hmmm, I’ve been DJ’ing for about 8 years now. Wow, time flies (laughs).
Q: How did you get in the game?
A: Before the DJ’ing, I started doing bottle service in the clubs, and I used watch how the crowd would react to the music that the DJ would play, and I kinda fell in love with that energy. My boy who used to DJ at this club I used to work at would let me play around with the turntables, and eventually I started practicing. Eventually I decided DJ’ing was something I wanted to do, and I got some equipment and started making mixes.
Q: That’s what’s up!! So how did you come up with your DJ Name, DJ Lady Star?
A: That’s a long story (laughs). Well originally I was gonna go by “DJ Mars”, because “Mars” was my nickname at the time. One day my boy gave me some advice, he said I should have a “Lady” somewhere in my name. So eventually I came up with “DJ Lady Star” because I like stars, (laughs). Nah but for real I really do, I even got a star tattoo, so you know it’s real (laughs).
Q: Well I think all the fellaz would agree that you’re pretty hot, you definitely have an exotic look. What’s your nationality??
A: Why thank you, actually I’m Portuguese.
Tommy Gunz: Really? That’s interesting, I swore you we’re Puerto Rican, definitely something Hispanic (laughs).
DJ Lady Star: Yeah, I get that a lot (laughs).
Q: Nowadays the art of DJ’ing has gone digital. Do you ever spin vinyl tho?
A: Yes, here and there. I do practice with vinyl, although it’s not as convenient when doing club gigs. I like to practice with all my equipment whenever I get a chance. Turntables and controllers are my main thing.
Q: Speaking of going digital, gone are the days where Record Labels use to service DJ’s with all the new music. How do you get your music these days?
A: Well these days I usually get my music from different record pools, BPM Supreme and Mp3Pool are pretty good sites. Plus you guys (GoodFellazTV.com) always hook we up as well (laughs). Hey, sometimes if I really need a record and I can’t find it anywhere, I even hit YouTube occasionally. Whatever works (laughs).
Q: How do you know if a record is a winner?
A: Hmmm, I guess if it moves me. Sometimes the beat just catches me, there’s a certain vibe I get when I hear a hot song. When I hear something new that I think will be big, I’ll try it out at a small venue first and see the crowd reaction. If the crowd is feeling it, I know it’s a winner!
Q: What’s the Best Part of your Job?
A: My favorite part is making people happy, seeing their faces, seeing them having fun! As a DJ, there’s no better feeling then to see the crowd vibin’ to the music. I love when the people are having a good time. I’m not really a ‘people person’ in-person, but still, (laughs).
Q: Worst part of the job?
A: Ummm, I hate the hangovers, (laughs). I can spin a little tipsy, actually if anything I feel like my overall performance is a little better after having a drink. Fun fact, I’m actually a little shy on the mic at first until I have a drink in me. But after that, watch out! (laughs).
Q: What’s your favorite type of music that you like to play at your events?
A: I love Dembow music. I do a lot of Spanish and lesbian parties, so the joints I play tend to be up tempo, a lot of energy. I like a lot of club music; new stuff and the older club joints as well.
Q: Do you have a favorite type of crowd in particular?
A: The lesbian party vibe is dope, especial in New York. A lot of fun, a lot of energy and good vibes!
Q: Do you think it is a little more difficult being a female in the DJ game?
A: Uggghhh, yes, sometimes it can be. These guys trying to hit on me can be annoying at times (laughs).
Tommy Gunz: Awww man, what a rough life you must live, dudes always trying to holla at you (laughs).
DJ Lady Star: (Laughing). It can be sooooo annoying, like dude I’m trying to work, leave me alone (laughs).
Q: So guys trying to hit on you, got it. Is there any other difficulties you encounter?
A: Well real talk, sometimes dudes feel like than can get over on me with the money, that’s probably the most annoying part. Especially these promoters. They’ll hit you with the ‘It was slow night” line, maybe because they think I look too nice and will fall for that. It can be a hassle sometimes.
Tommy Gunz: I feel you, you always have to be on top of your game when it comes to the money, especially in this business
DJ Lady Star: Facts! I don’t know, sometimes I feel like I too nice (laughs). But at the end of the day, don’t play with my money, don’t let my ‘nice-ness’ fool you, I don’t play (laughs).
Q: If you ask a lot of DJ’s, one of the most annoying things they have to deal with is when people ask for special requests. Do you take requests during your gigs?
A: Yooo that can be sooo annoying sometimes! I do take requests, if they give me money, (laughs). If I have it, and if they ask the right way, and the request isn’t crazy, I might throw it on when the vibe is right! I luv when I do play a request, and I can throw it in my mix and it still sounds dope!
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring DJ’s trying to get in the game?
A: I guess my advice to people who wanna be DJ’s would be make sure this is really what you want to do. Make sure you’re doing it for the love of the craft and not just for the money. Becoming a DJ doesn’t just happen overnight, you gotta put serious time and effort in to it.
Q: That’s Real talk. Do you have any advice for other females in particular who are trying to get in the game?
A: I guess make sure you get into the game for the right reason, do it for the luv of the craft. There are some dope female DJ’s out there who actually got skills, and then you got the ones who are just beautiful and they just play music. I mean, I’m not knocking their hustle, I’m just saying. Because if all you are is just a pretty face, you won’t last in this game but so long.
Q: Where do you prefer spinning, New York or New Jersey? Or does it matter?
A: (Sigh). Well I always have much luv for Jersey, but honestly New York is kind of where it’s at, money-wise. Spots in the city are usually willing to pay a DJ more, and with less hassle then in Jersey. Plus, that city-vibe is just different, you know.
Q: So how do you get your gigs, do you have a booking manager or do you do it yourself?
A: (Laughs). Well to keep it real I pretty much handle that myself for the moment. Basically I get my gigs through word-of-mouth and social media. I don’t have a manager, so I usually deal with the club owners and promoters myself, and book my own gigs. Normally I might be a little shy, but I gotta eat so I gotta make it happen, feel me?
Q: What’s your personal Favorite record out right now?
A: Hmmm, right now I gotta go with that Nicki Minaj “Megatron” joint. Song is fire!!!!!
Q: Hottest record in the Club right now is ________?
A: Probably that Bad Bunny “Callaita” record. The response I get is always crazy when that comes on!
Q: Do you have a Favorite Artist?
A: I have a lot of artist I like, but if I had to pick one I guess I would say Drake.
Q: So right now you’re killin’ the club scene. So what’s next for you, what would your ‘Dream Gig’ be?
A: Hmmmm, well I guess my ‘Dream Gig’ would be getting on commercial radio, one of the big stations like Power 105 FM or Hot 97 FM. Or even a big Livestream gig, where people from across the world can check me out. To be able to move to a bigger platform and be able to reach more people would be dope!
Q: As a DJ, how do you continue to work on your craft?
A: Practice, practice, practice (laughs). I always try to practice on my mixing skills to perfect my craft. I also listen to the radio a lot, as well as Soundcloud; check out what’s hot, do my research. I like to listen to other DJ’s as well: their mixes, transitions, scratches, etc. It’s how I learn.
Q: You’ve spun at venues all across the Tri-State. How are New Jersey DJ’s different from New York DJ’s?
A: Hmmm, I don’t think they are any different honestly. I mean, the music may be different depending on where you’re spinning and the type of event, but otherwise it’s all about you and your own personal style really, that separates you from other DJ’s. Jersey & New York have similar vibes, music-wise.
Q: Where can everybody catch you spinning?
A: Everywhere (laughs). Just follow me on my Instagram page, I always post my flyers where I’ma be at.
Q: Where can everybody follow you at online?
A: You can check me out on IG, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, SoundCloud at @DJLadyStar.