The-Lost-Art.com DJ HK A DJ that is Female

This kind of a blog has been on my mind for quite some time now. Mostly because I keep hearing the most ridiculous shit ever when it comes to me being a somewhat successful local DJ.

I’d really like to start off saying that this blog isn’t something to be taken as hateful toward every male DJ, promoter, or club owner in the scene. I’m well aware that not ALL men think this way and some are actually quite supportive of talented females. This is something that I’m hoping will open people’s eyes and will help female DJs (that deserve it) to be taken more seriously.

As I keep stating, I’ve been a UK Hardcore DJ for 2 years. I just recently expanded into playing Gabber and Pumpcore/Frenchcore. I’ve played one Electro House set in my career and it was for a club night. Some call me a music elitist, and I’m honestly completely fine with people calling me that. I put my heart and soul behind Hardcore because it’s what moves me. In an Electro, Dubstep, and now Trap dominated scene, I have always wanted to show people there is more than those few genres being shoved down their throat. I believe firmly that I have exposed many people to new music and genres during my DJing career, yet I’m always presented with the statement “you get booked because you have tits,” when the topic of bookings comes into a conversation. This statement always leaves the implication that I have never worked a day in my life to receive any of the bookings that are listed on my press kit. They just fall in my lap because I have boobs.

While being a female may take a small part in how I get booked, it’s not the only reason for my bookings or residencies. Females go through struggles just as our male counterparts do (believe it or not) and those struggles may not be the same, but they’re struggles none-the-less. So when my gender is assumed to be the only reason I receive bookings, I absolutely get pissed at the notion. I see women constantly busting their asses in practice, promotion, and networking, and all of that is overlooked because of a pair of tits.

Since I have so many advantages, let’s take a look at what I see I have over men:

1. It’s easier to network with people
Call it being easier on the eyes or something along those lines, but people are definitely more receptive to women approaching them with promotional material than men are. As a promoter myself, I get mixes from guys all the time. Having a change of pace can definitely be appealing to some people, but there is also a sexism factor that could make this entire scenario go the other way. Some women may not even receive this networking benefit because they’re shy or simply don’t understand HOW to properly network (please note, networking doesn’t mean kissing ass to the big guys, sleeping with other DJs for gigs, flaunting girly bits to whoever wants to see them, etc.).

2. It’s easier to catch peoples’ attention due to the rarity of being a female amongst a BILLION males
Ever heard the term “they’re a dime a dozen?” That totally applies here. Again, it’s nice to have a change of pace for people, and crowds really do enjoy seeing a girl that can dominate some tables.

That’s it. These two things are the only advantages I GENUINELY feel I have over males, but everyone is always spouting off about how much easier I have it without actually sitting down to think or ask me how I go about getting booked.

Now even though I may have these couple of advantages, it doesn’t mean they’re 100% in the bag, gig go-getters. They both have another side to them entirely, mostly having to deal with sexism which makes these advantages flawed:

1. People just assume.
Since there are SO many awesome male DJs/Producers that are seen headlining shows, it’s hard for some people to wrap their head around the fact that a girl may actually be able to rip your face off if you put her behind a set of tables. Where does this come from? Society in general. Women have always been on the back end of equal wages, sexual harassment in the work environment, fighting to take leadership positions, etc. Whether we like to admit it or not, general society will always influence places where one gender dominates a certain profession. It sucks, but it definitely happens.

2. Being attractive is a HUGE factor in being booked.
Another spot in which society has taken its toll. Promoters would rather book hot bitches than talented women to add a certain sex appeal to their show. I get it. Sex sells. That doesn’t mean at the end of the show you’re going to have an awesome reputation to follow it up because the DJ you booked was hot, but train wrecked every single mix. With this situation, it’s incredibly hard to hard to be taken seriously when you’re not a model because looks are lowering the standards for females as a whole.

3. Having to work harder to be taken seriously.
While I personally don’t mind this one (practice makes perfect), this makes me want to beat my head against a wall some days. Busting ass is great. It separates the girls from the women, but having people brush you off because you’re a girl is frustrating. This also ties into people straight up assuming a girl has no talent and no place behind decks.
My other comment on this: ladies, stay in your damn bedroom until you’re ready. Having to work twice as hard means people look at you twice as often. In a cut-throat scene people are incredibly quick to find ANYTHING to peg you with to ruin any credibility you have built or are trying to build.

4. Female DJs
This probably sounds stupid. All girls that play out are female DJs!
Wrong.
There is a difference between a female DJ and a DJ that is female.
Female DJs are the DJs that completely sell themselves on sex appeal. While it’s an advantage to have sex appeal, it shouldn’t be a main selling point. Making this the main selling point allows other promoters to assume that every girl will play a topless set or wear next to nothing instead of being credible for their actual mixing skills. Women that sell themselves as such make bookings for the rest of us that don’t want to be naked while playing incredibly difficult. Again, sex sells.
Now don’t get me wrong. Not ALL models turned DJs are JUST sex appeal. There are exceptions to every rule.

Just because I have lumps of fat on my chest doesn’t mean I just magically rack up bookings for every single Friday and Saturday of the year in front of thousands of people. I promote, I network, I make mixes, and I’m as professional as I can be when dealing with all of these things just like the men do. Women may not have the same struggles as male DJs do, but we definitely have our own set to deal with. So shut your mouth before you tell another female “she has it easy”.