Photos: Courtesy of DJ Lady S

Blurb from YAMS:

Brought to my attention by Ibrahim Ahmed III, DJ Lady S — The Arabian Princess has to be 1/5 beautiful female DJs that this world has to offer. Ibrahim and I teamed up to interview the princess. Read our inquiries and her responses below!

About DJ Lady S:

When we look at the short list of female deejays represented in the European music industry, we can definitely include this young and talented lady, DJ Lady S.

Based in Belgium, Europe, Lady S has been raised by music. She grew up in a house where the reggae sounds came from the basement, up to the 1st floor where her father played (as a DJ) P-funk to soul music to the 2nd floor where her mother used to listen to classic Arabic tunes and finally the 3rd floor where her brother let the Hip-Hop and R&B blast through the speakers. Read more.

Name: Sahera C.
Age: 23
Years in the business: In December 2010, 10 years (Boy, I am getting old).

GrungeCake: As a professional entertainer and businessperson, who is DJ Lady S?
DJ Lady S: I am an outgoing, fun loving, and adventurous person. I love to meet new people. I am always down to try new things, travel around the world, and you can always count on me for a talk or to help others out.

As a girl, I am a shopping addict. Especially, shoes and make up.
When it comes to work, I am very punctual and I take my career very serious. No joking or messing around when we’re talking business. But, please be the first to call me for fun times!

GrungeCake: What does deejaying mean to you?
DJ Lady S: Deejaying is a way to connect with people all over the world. Music is a language you don’t have to be able to speak. If you can find yourself [back] in a song, you just let the record play. It’s so powerful and I love to share my passion with a million others.

GrungeCake: When did you get your break?
DJ Lady S: It was actually 10 years ago, when my brother’s friend asked me to DJ at his party. People were surprised I could actually deliver a DJ set and started. They talking about this little DJ girl, cause that’s how it goes in this industry. Since then, the ball started rolling and the bookings started flowing in. Obviously, I couldn’t play prime time sets cause I was too young, but as time passed by I’ve created a solid name and more and more promoters started to take me seriously. At the age of 16, I was a headliner DJ and started traveling Europe.

GrungeCake: How did you and deejaying connect, was there a remix you heard, a live deejay performance you saw; How and where did you create your union with deejaying?
DJ Lady S: Music runs in the fam. My dad was a DJ back in the early 70′s and currently works as a music producer for several radio shows at the biggest radio station nationally. My uncle has a band and my brother used to DJ too. We had all the equipment at home. So, whenever my brother hit the decks at home I would observe for hours.

Since I had the rhythm in me, I decided to try it myself. When my first two songs blended in perfectly (after a million attempts) I felt so good and proud. That’s when I started to practice everyday after school for hours. Shout out to DJ Spinderella, first female DJ I’d always admire.

GrungeCake: Would you say you are the only Arab female DJ?
DJ Lady S: As far as I know yes. I have several Arabic female friends who rap and sing but I haven’t met another Arabic female DJ. In the Middle East, they call me the first lady of hip-hop. And I’m very proud about that status.

GrungeCake: Have you inspired other native Arab women to get into the music business?
DJ Lady S: Hmmm. I haven’t met any women like that yet, but me and my Arabic female artist friends we talk a lot and stimulate each other to become better and work harder cause it’s not always easy to get the same respect as a male artist for a woman and especially an Arabic woman. Therefore, we inspire each other. I hope I can inspire any women who want to pursue a career in the music business. No matter what you want to do, hard work is required always.

GrungeCake: Can you see yourself deejaying for the rest of your life?
DJ Lady S: No definitely not as a professional DJ. I personally think that being a DJ is something you can do when you’re ‘young’. I mean, young adults evolve so fast these days. There could be a new Lady S created very fast who does it better and looks cuter.

What I’m trying to say is that I am aware of the fact that new talent is born everyday; that someday it will be over for many others and me cause we’ll have to make place for other new upcoming talented people. That doesn’t mean I’m putting an age limit on my career but I’m just being realistic about my future. One thing is for sure; I will always stay active in the music industry.

GrungeCake: How would you define your sets? What guides your song selection?
DJ Lady S: I always try to adapt myself to my crowd, the concept of the party and/ or the image of the club.
I never prepare my songs in a specific order. I have a selection in my head and I add or remove songs at that very moment. It depends on what genre the crowd reacts best. But, I always add my own touch to my set to define myself. I try to distinguish myself from other mainstream club DJ is and be original.

GrungeCake: Do you take requests? If yes, how do you feel about DJ’s who don’t? If no, why?
DJ Lady S: Gosh, I don’t really like requests. I’m not an iPod. I’m also very focused when I’m deejaying. I get in my zone and I hate when people disturb me. But then again, I can’t ignore those people. If I can blend the request(s) into my set, I will play it. If not, I apologize. Also, 90% of the time I’m booked as a guest DJ so I’m playing for a limited time and I need to make it happen in that limited moment which doesn’t always leave me the choice to loose time trying to get requests played.

It has nothing to do with being arrogant, but I have a certain vibe I want to create. It has to happen with the right selection of tracks. So dear partygoer, if I ever rejected one of your requests: it is all business nothing personal.

If you were to lose your hearing abilities, would you continue to DJ? I guess what I am trying to ask is, is Deejaying something you feel within, or is it something you play by ear?
Good Lord, I’ll commit suicide! No, not that extreme… but close. Music is something you must feel within but it’s all about hearing, mixing, blending, cutting, and scratching the record. Therefore, you need your ears. Therefore, me personally I could not deliver a quality DJ set if I would lose my hearing ability. The thought of it gives me goose bumps! she screams.

GrungeCake: Do you have a favorite venue to play?
DJ Lady S: That’s not an easy question. I don’t think I have a favorite venue cause I like change. I love traveling the world and DJ in big venues, small clubs, outdoor parties etc. But I think festivals are my favorite. I get adrenaline rushes from playing in front of large crowds.

GrungeCake: When will you hit the ‘mainstream’ American market?
DJ Lady S: Good question… I don’t know. Let me take advantage of this moment and address all American club promoters: Book DJ Lady now. (laughs)
Actually, I hope to share my love for music with the American party people as soon as possible, but I always held onto this thought that the US is so big and I have the impression that everyone want to be an artist. The US is already full of talent, so why would a promoter make the cost and get a DJ from overseas who could do the same thing as the dude around the corner. A lot of promoters think like this and don’t give other international DJ’s the chance to rock the club unless they’re celebrity DJ’s. I’m not dissing anyone now, I can understand his or her way of thinking. That’s why I haven’t been focusing on the US market but I’m not worried. My US time will come soon.

GrungeCake: Are there differences or similarities are there between a European crowd and an American crowd?
DJ Lady S: As a Hip-Hop/R&B DJ playing in the US is so (Lady S emphasizes on “so”) dope because all the music comes from the States. Of course, everyone else in the world has access to the Internet and can get the new releases simultaneously but it takes a little more time for the European crowd to get to know the new music. It usually takes a month before I can play new American releases in the club and get a good reaction while DJ’s in the US can’t wait for a track to release so they can play it that very night at the club and have the crowd going crazy. Europeans need to get familiar with the song on radio, in the charts, on television and then the song will be accepted at the club. It’s funny when I think about the whole process a song has to go through. It could be no. 1 in the US but that doesn’t mean people over here will give it the same credit.

GrungeCake: Who coined the term ‘The Arabian Princess’ and why?
DJ Lady S: Honestly, I did not come up with that name. It was my friend and fellow colleague DJ Baby Yu who created that term. He used to call me, “The Arabian Princess” just for fun. Then I was like, “What if I start using that name just as a gimmick?” It adds a little flavor to DJ Lady S.

GrungeCake: And last, what does GrungeCake mean to you?
DJ Lady S: GrungeCake is funky man! I love it how they cover topics as music, science and health, film, food and drinks, etc. It’s not your average gossip website, you can actually learn new things. And they give everyone the opportunity to share their story. I don’t have to be a Beyonce or Gaga to get my shine at GrungeCake.

Shout out to my buddy Ibrahim Ahmed III for introducing me to Yams… Thanks mama, you fkcn rock! Oh yeah, follow me on twitter @djladys. Peace, love, music, and glam!

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GrumCake

Blurb from YAMS:

Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of Grum since watching the music video for “Can’t Shake This Feeling” (see below). “Heartbeart” filled with big-beat synths, (all that other music jargon that I cannot make my own) and good-time head nods has to be my favourite on my Grum playlist. It sounds like a new wave [La] “Macarena” that you want to chronically-vogue-to and-end-your-routine-with-a-running-man-split! I also hear he is a Scotsman. (winks) For more about Grum, click here.

MP3: “Heartbeats” by Grum

About Grum

The best artists in the world start from the ground up. You see a tiny review, you hear about them from your friends, then you see something in the street. A flyer, sticker, poster, something; connections are made.

That was fine when there was a record store on every High Street. When an artist connected, picking up their record was as simple as buying a loaf of bread. The internet has completely changed all that. It might be far easier to get hold of your new favourite single but some of the connections have been lost. Who even knows what most single covers look like? Who remembers the flyer when they’re browsing the blogs?

Grum, the UK’s most important new dance producer is the first artist to change all that, revolutionising the way the public interact with music.

The artwork is a pioneering design, developed by David Ross, the artistic and creative brains behind Mylo’s ‘Destroy Rock N Roll’ poster and artwork campaigns. For Grum he has incorporated a unique 2-D Barcode into the artwork, which when photographed by your mobile phone (using the appropriate application) takes you directly to the music where you can hear great quality streamed versions of the track, with an option to buy there and then. A fully interactive experience for fans to get the music they want, when they want it. See the poster on the street or an advert in a mag, snap the logo, and get direct to the music. There’s already massive interest with mobile phone providers and software programmers to develop this idea, but Grum got there first. The revolution starts here!

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Photo: Fake Blood

Blurb from YAMS:

His blood is real.

About Fake Blood:

Fake Blood is an alias used by DJ Touché, also half of The Black Ghosts (which Touché has remixed under the Fake Blood alias). His original productions included two major club hits, “Mars” and “Blood Splashing (Fake Blood Theme)”. In 2009, He released the “Fix Your Accent” EP, including the original tracks “The Dozens”, “I Think I Like It”, and “Fix Your Accent”. He has done remixes for Dan Le Sac, Armand van Helden, The Count & Sinden, UNKLE and others.

MP3: “I Think I Like It” by Fake Blood

Photos: George Lee III Make-Up: Erika Gee

Blurb from YAMS:

Deejay Monica Sharp is a blessing for GrungeCake Magazine. She has organized, co-hosted, and spinned at many of our parties. One way of giving back to our princess was this feature; online and in print via The Push Episode. Thank you from the bottom of our cake-filled hearts!

MP3: “Mini Dance Mix for GrungeCake Magazine” by DJ Monica Sharp

GrungeCake: Who is responsible for coining the term “DJ” as we know it?

Monica Sharp: Not sure to tell you the truth!

GrungeCake: What are the qualifications one has to acquire before taking on the surname, DJ? Does one go to a supreme court and register the name or earned?

Monica Sharp: I think that it varies from person to person. In my opinion one should be able to properly mix records, as well as have a solid collection of music before tossing that term around. The surname for the most part is earned from the crowds they play to. I know a lot of people who couldn’t mix a record if their lives depended on it but still play records for money, they usually will be the first to admit they are not really DJs.

GrungeCake: Tell us a little about you. Where are you from?

Monica Sharp: I was born in Houston Texas on January 1st 1981. My parents split up when I was very young and I moved to the suburbs of Philadelphia with my mother and sister when I was two years old. We were very poor in those days and my mother usually worked two jobs to make ends meet. I hated school and usually retreated into music, poetry and art. The town we lived in was pretty boring, so two days after my 18th birthday I moved to Philadelphia. I was involved in the rave and club scene there for a long time and eventually moved to Brooklyn where I now so happily reside. I’m big into politics, philosophy, dive bars, trash TV, and I have an unhealthy addiction to feta cheese and gyoza.

GrungeCake: Which mediums do you use? Are you a scratch DJ? Do you use vinyl?

Monica Sharp: I learned how to DJ when I was 18 using vinyl and turntables in my friend Ricky’s “rave cave” of a basement. Now I use serato scratch & vinyl. I DJ in ABS mode which is a vinyl emulator, so when I am DJing I am actually mixing live. You would be amazed at how many “DJs” aren’t actually mixing when they play “live”. I tried to scratch a long time ago when I first learned how to DJ, that didn’t pan out so well AT ALL. I still have my entire vinyl collection (at my mothers house to her dismay) although I DJ with serato.

GrungeCake: Describe your audience. What do they look like? What are they wearing? Predominantly, which sex does your crowd/s consist of?

Monica Sharp: It varies really. I am a huge music NERD and I love all genres of music, so I try and book gigs according to whatever mood I’m in, I’m not worried about how cool a place is. Sometimes Ill play for bands, sometimes posh places, gay bars ect. I would DJ in a Burger King bathroom if I thought it would be fun. Overall I love small and rowdy dive bars, you can usually get away with playing whatever you want and the crowds there are always more easy going and considerably more interesting then they are in the mega clubs.

GrungeCake: What kind of music do you play? Answer this in terms of tempo and not so much in genre classification.

Monica Sharp: It’s hard to describe in terms of tempo. But I’ll just name some of the crates I keep; electro, minimal techno, jungle, no wave, punk, indie, disco, italo disco, funk, soul, house, reggae, shoegaze to name a few. It depends on the mood of the venue honestly.

GrungeCake: Do you admire any female DJs? Why or why not? Name a few.

Monica Sharp: Of course! Female DJs have to deal with a lot of shite. People think its easier being a woman in the field, but its quite the opposite. You have to work 10 times as hard and usually don’t make as much money as the men when you are just starting out. People are much more critical of female DJs even if it is not warranted. There was one instance where I was introduced to a venue owner as the DJ for the night, and he asked me if I knew what I was doing, there’s no way in hell a man would have been asked the same question, I reassured him that I have been a DJ for 10 years. When it comes to admiring female DJs the best set I have ever heard was from a woman, DJ Storm (of kemistry and storm fame) at some rave in DC in 1999. You can check out a lot of her old jungle mixes on goldenerajungle.com if youre into that kind of thing. I remember seeing DJ Irene around that same time, both women are phenomenal DJs and are very humble and sweet.

GrungeCake: What do you think about GrungeCake (magazine)?

Monica Sharp: I think it’s a great magazine! I know you work your ass off with it. From the design to the articles it’s solid, you know this!

GrungeCake: When you first heard the name, what did it mean to you?

Monica Sharp: I didnt have any personal thoughts on the name but my mom thought it was some kind of adult publication! true story.

GrungeCake: Who are your inspirations? Are there any disc jockeys that you look/ed up to before taking on the task?

Monica Sharp: I’ve been reading a lot of Rousseau and Plutarch, which has been incredibly inspiring to me as of late. I’m pretty fascinated with politics, traveling and modern society. Ive always looked up to the DJs who were humble, somewhat intelligent and not hell bent on being famous. Unfortunately, a lot of it now is focused on ego, fashion, who you know, and sceney garbage which I despise. I am inspired by keeping it simple and focusing on the more important things in life.

GrungeCake: Here is your chance to congratulate or player-hate: Share your last thoughts. Comments. Experiences.

Monica Sharp: There aren’t enough trees on this green earth to publish my player hate rantings, but I want to take the time to thank my true friends and supporters, you know who you are.

GrungeCake: What’s next for DJ Monica Sharp?

Monica Sharp: I’m not even 100% sure myself. I have a lot on my plate right now and I like to take things as they come. The only thing I really want to do is retire to Spain and open a bar by the beach when I’m old. I think that would be a fitting end to my life, but who knows what may come.

Blurb from YAMS:

Mazel tov! DJ Lord Ron and C-Rayz Walz collaborate through the art of freestyle and producing to make the new, traditional Hip-Hop track, “Concrete Bars.” Chris Bronson shoots and directs the music video capturing Bronx-orientated break-boy moves by C-Rayz Walz himself, and C-Rayz Walz’s new haircut in what appears to the Downtown Los Angeles. Enjoy.

Photo: Courtesy of DJ Lezard

DJ Lezard from France has blessed GrungeCake Magazine with an exclusive mix called, “Love And Hate” for our second release! I fell in love with Lezard’s work via his First Shot mix. He has an ear for traditional Hip-Hop sounds and I believe that is where we connect. He sent two copies to me all the way from France! I love you Lezard! Look out for Lezard in the next GrungeCake Magazine. I reviewed his First Shot tape. To order the magazine that DJ Lezard appears, click here!

MP3: “Love And Hate Mix for GrungeCake Magazine” by DJ Lezard

Photo: Courtesy of DJ Prince

MP3: “The Boroughs” by DJ Prince

Blurb from YAMS:

“DJ Prince, we love you.” “We love you! We need you!” (These chants muster from that cerebellum of mine/d) Precisely seven days ago, upon opening and reading the notes in one of my email accounts, I was blessed with a “banger.” (See below for definition) Who was the sender? Yes, you have guessed it correctly – a great and close friend, Mr. (DJ) Prince, himself! Not only was I amazed – I knew that I needed to share what I received with everyone I know and will know ///// Boy, the sounds that were coming from my speakers reminded me of New York City – circa ‘95 [Hip Hop] – when shxt was live! I was ten years old, but who is rhetorically counting? In short, DJ Prince gave me new Hip-Hop… and now I am giving it you ^\_/^

GrungeCake: Prince, it has been nearly a year since the online world has heard anything from you as a rapper! Pardon me, but I’m a fan: Where the fxck have you been, baby?

DJ Prince: (Flattered) I’ve been laying low lately. ‘Really trying figure out my purpose in this music ish. I’ve been traveling and doing shows with up and coming groups like M1 Platoon, Kooley High and Film Skool Rejects. Meet a lot of people in the process and a lot of good music is being made.

GrungeCake: Getting into the new music, what was the inspiration behind making this record? As a native New Yorker, what made you want to create and release this record now?

DJ Prince: I feel like the New York sound has left New York. The grittiness and grimy sounds of 90′s Hip-Hop is what Cyrus and I was trying to bring back. Even though allot of my music is abstract; I wanted to challenge myself in writing to up-tempo hard-hitting bangers.

GrungeCake: “The Boroughs” embodies that early Hip-Hop groove that definitely gives me a chill. Do you miss this era? Will the rest of the tracks on MMMM personify similar treatment/s?

DJ Prince: I was looking through my 90′s Hip-Hop singles and it just took me back. The Hip-Hop sound has changed dramatically, (which is expected) but the vibe was so much better back then. “The Boroughs” makes me proud to be a New Yorker and to have a song to represent that was the goal. But yeah, every track on MMMM drop is a banger. I can’t wait till you guys hear it.

GrungeCake: For our new Hip-Hop generation, which sample was used in “The Boroughs”?

DJ Prince: The drums are Big Beat from “Billy Squire” and the hook is from Beastie Boys’ “Letter to 5 Boroughs.”

GrungeCake: How’d you team up w/ Cyrus Tha Great for the production?

DJ Prince: Cyrus and I actually went to school together. He heard the track I was working on “Mars” and remixed it. I thought the beat was crazy and we began working with each other since then.

GrungeCake: You are also a producer, yes? How long have you been producing? Which projects have you produced?

DJ Prince: Approximately, 3 years now. I’ve done a remix For Janelle Monae and tracks for FSR. I’m a real critic when it comes to my production so, I usually drop beat CDs. Hopefully, the sound will get out that way. I’ve been producing since 2006 when I did Tha Weirdos album. Since I’ve been working with other producers such as 9th Wonder, Cyrus, my man Vaughn and I’ve been sample searching lately. ‘Just really trying to master my own sound.

GrungeCake : You mention in the song that we aren’t repping it hard enough? Suggest a few things that we can do to rep harder.

DJ Prince: I think New York artist need to collaborate more — more which is what I’m trying to accomplish more of as a DJ. Us New Yorkers have huge egos and think we’re better than everyone else (which we are) but for real rep your city!

GrungeCake: You have also included Long Island and Yonkers in this record; places that usually aren’t mentioned in songs referencing New York City – what made you include these places?

DJ Prince: Word! Long Island doesn’t get enough credit. It bred EPMD, one of the illest groups Hip Hop groups to ever hit the scene. Keith Murray, Craig Mack, and Rakim. So, I’m just another cat repping L.I. Yonkers bred Mary. J Blige, DMX and The L.O.X. I felt these areas are equally important to Hip-Hop as any other borough would be.

GrungeCake: What’s next for DJ Prince?

DJ Prince: To infinity and beyond-er.

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