DJ Spinderella on DJing, Hip Hop History, and RockHall Validation
Last night, I had the incredible opportunity to hear DJ. Spinderella speak about her journey as a DJ, her time with Salt-N-Pepa, and her recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As the first DJ to receive this honor, Spin shared insights that were both inspiring and deeply rooted in hip-hop history.
Spinderella, a Brooklyn native (and proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc), joined Salt-N-Pepa in 1987 at just 16 years old. She spoke about her early influences, including her father, who was a vinyl collector and in-house DJ. She highlighted the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated space, referring to it as a "boys club." She recounted having to work twice as hard to overcome being underestimated and overlooked. Watching Salt-N-Pepa command the stage, she said, was like having her first teachers. Spinderella believes she brought balance to the group.
Reflecting on the evolution of DJing, Spinderella acknowledged the impact of technology but emphasized that the essence remains the same: "The DJ is still the commander of the room." She encouraged aspiring DJs to "read the room" and "listen to the room" to understand what the crowd wants. Her advice included challenging yourself to elevate your craft, branding yourself, and building a supportive team. She cautioned against signing contracts without careful consideration. She also touched on Salt-N-Pepa's influence on fashion, noting that they initially styled themselves before getting a stylist in the early '90s, leading to their iconic asymmetrical hairstyles and varsity jackets. To conclude, this was such an enlightening discussion and wonderful to see the longevity of her craft! ♥️✨🎶
Also, S/O to DJ Jayclipp of Dallas, TX! 🔥
