So I recently did an interview with DJ Rashida from the MTV series America's Best Dance Crew, which was also featured on, blog.digiwaxx.com. It was a really fun interview that I had to share. Peep below.
DJ Rashida Talks About America’s Favorite Dance Crew
By: Amanda Koger
If you’ve been tuning in every week to MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew, then you’ve definitely seen the fly DJ Rashida working her magic to keep the crowd moved. Her signature fusion of hip-hop, funk, soul, reggae,pop, rock, and house has taken her around the world to cities like London, New York, Geneva, Antwerp, Sydney and Paris where she has opened for stars like Prince, Kanye West, DMX, Ali Vegas, Joss Stone and more. The LA-Based DJ found time to talk to Digiwaxx about her eclectic music taste, her favorite dance crew, how she got the gig and what’s in her iPod.
Digiwaxx: Let’s get to know your background a little bit, where are you originally from?
DJ Rashida: I was born in LA but I kind of grew up all over up all over. LA, different parts of New Mexico and I went to college and high school in Atlanta. I moved back to LA around 2002, 2003.
D: How did you end up on America’s Best Dance Crew?
DJR: They were looking for DJs and a friend of mine on the scene referredme. From there I met with the show’s music supervisor and producers and wetalked about what the show was, the vibe they were trying to create [and] I fit the bill. I had previously met Randy Jackson through a club I used to have aresidency at—actually the first club in LA that put me on, which was the Temple Bar—and also at some of Prince’s parties. Once he gave his approval it was on.
D: Which crew do you think is going to take the crown?
DJR: This time around it’s really the two best crews left. With the JabbaWockeeZ, I wanted them to win from the beginning and they totally deserved it. But this time, it’s really like the two best are left and it’s really hard to say. I love the Beat Freaks [because] they are so fresh and of course, they represent for the ladies. But I also love Quest Crew. The stunts that they do, and their athleticism is like wow, they blow your mind! If there was a way for both of them to win I would be happy because they are both so incredibly talented.
D: Do the producers of the show pick the music that you play?
DJR: No. I couldn’t do it if they picked the music, that’s not what Ido. Mind you, playing for MTV is completely different from any of the other gigs that I do. A. It’s not a club and people are in seats. B. It’s young kids. You have to be between the ages of 18 to 21 or 22 so it’s a young crowd. There are a lot of things that I might get down with that wouldn’t go over with them. Because of this MTV gig, I’ve gotten to play more commercial music but that’s not where I come from as a DJ. I like digging in the crates. I like classic hip-hop, Jazz Brazilian, soul and funk. And is not that I don’t like a lot of stuff that is on the radio but that’s not my thing. But the great thingabout MTV is that I have to take a different approach because the kids are young so it’s a lot of stuff that they don’t know but at the same time, you want to put them on to stuff so it’s been interesting.
D:Who are your top five favorite artists right now?
DJR: My homie Jack Splash killing it on the production tip right now, Janelle Monae is rocking my world right now, Q-Tip’s new album The Rennaisance is on constant rotation, Solange and J*davey..
D:You’ve toured with superstars and DJ’d on TV shows and at some of the hottest clubs in the world, where is your favorite environment is to spin?
DJR: It depends. I like playing at the MTV show, it’s just differentfrom other things I do. I’ve been Prince’s DJ since the end of 2004, so when I play or open up for him I get to play a lot of what I like so that’s one thing.I recently did this party where I had to play hip-hop from ’85 to ’93—the golden era of hip-hop. Then, I do a night called “Honey.” It’s a little more Hollywood, and we do a mix of classic and commercial stuff. I also do another night called “Kiss ’N Grind” where I play mostly house music, Brazilian and future soul. I used to do a lot of dance hall when I first started so they are all fulfilling. It’s all different, but they all feel good.
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