A humble undertone in hip hop is the DJ. Sure, they may be the Johannes Gutenberg’s of the musical industry, considering they relay music to a wider audience more than any pressed LP could, but they are greatly underappreciated and pushed to the background. With the recent passing of Roc Raida, DJs have come out of the woodwork and even an appreciation for the DJ was been reemerging. Enter: DJ Lissa Monet, a
As if the challenge of being a DJ isn’t hard enough, DJ Lissa Monet deals with being a female DJ in one of the hardest-to-please markets in North America (Toronto aka The Screwface Capitol). Of course, someone as stone-tough as Lissa wouldn’t let a mere gender issue get in her way, and she has become a part of hip hop’s elite DJ core. Extending passed the regular club DJ sets, Lissa has also put out a mixtape with Andreena Mill (Ready to Fly) and continues to seek marvelous talent around the continent. Even spinning for high profile celebrities like Lebron James and Jay-Z is one thing, but taking full control of the driver seat in the so-called man’s road of hip hop is an even more powerful statement. This self-proclaimed Go to Girl is certainly a go-getter.
IHD got to chop it up with Lissa during her busy schedule and was able to discuss her goals, her obstacles, her thoughts on “playing the background,” and the role of the DJ. Peep it!
SD: In 2008, we saw a resurgence of going "back to the DJ" similar to the mid 80's to early 90's. That gave the spotlight back on the DJ's for a bit. With the death of Roc Raida, that spotlight has been shone back upon DJ's everywhere. What do you believe is the reason for the on and off attention span of others to the DJ?
LM: That’s a great question because even though DJs somewhat “play in the background” we are the most important element to an event. I mean, I always say, "if [we] don’t show up, then who will play the music?"
LM: I believe DJs are deserving of more attention for their talents and ear for music more than anything else. Like, if a DJ discovers a critically acclaimed artist or producer he/she should be credited. If they produce a song, they should be acknowledged. It shouldn’t be about anything more than their god given talent and love for music.
SD: Did Roc Raida have an influence on you at all or at least affect you after his death?
LM: Unfortunately, he had no influence on me. It’s always sad when a highly respected person passes away before their time, but I don't think I was old enough to understand the impact he had on the hip hop and DJ community. I grew up listening to totally different genres of music (pop, r&b, soca & reggae) and didn't immerse myself in hip hop until the late 90s.SD: Do you think there's an emphasis on being a remarkably fast, tricky, and skilled DJ, such as he was, in today's artform of DJing?
LM: To have that kind of talent is remarkable. Since the death of Roc Raida, I have actually been bugging my older guy friends to lend me videos and footage of DJ battles. It’s always good to learn the culture and see how it started to what it has evolved into now.
SD: So, what's your goal as a DJ?
LM: My goal, as a DJ is to just expose people to different types of quality music. To just spread the word about every amazing artist - Drake, Melanie Fiona, Andreena Mill, Trish - that crosses my path. I still love to rock a party, and I feel like I’ve kind of mastered that. Still, my heart really lies in spreading the word about music. If I could sit at home all day on Facebook, Twitter, and my blog (http://lissamonet.com/blog/) and hit people up with quality music, I totally would.
SD: Does this or can this differ from your goals of being Female DJ? Certainly, the gender aspect must include some certain extra weight you might have to bare?
LM: There's no [different] goal being a female DJ. At the end of the day, I’m a DJ and I have to learn how to play with the big boys. I should get no “easy button” or special treatment for being a female. F*ck that. The only thing that I can do different is spin in heels for 5 hours and get it in doing that too [laughs].
SD: Just to wrap up, you're mixtape with Andreena Mill was extra dope. It was refreshing. Really, a quality hip hop female group hasn't been seen/heard since Salt-n-Pepa. How hard would it be for a Female DJ and Female Emcee duo to emerge in hip hop?
LM: I think “groups” [in general] are becoming extinct. There's not enough money to go around. It’s like every artist for themselves in the music industry these days.
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2 comments:
Thanks for opening up my mind to DJ Lissa Monet! I'll be looking for her mixes online :)
"At the end of the day, I’m a DJ and I have to learn how to play with the big boys. I should get no “easy button” or special treatment for being a female. F*ck that."
I love this line. When you choose to run with the boys, you def have to learn how to come as hard as the boys. DJ Lissa most def does this. She's a threat, for sure.
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