HHV Exclusive: DJ Kelly J talks modeling, differences in DJs, and “TMA 3”
By Stranga The Great
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
Last year, Hip Hop Vibe fans may have remembered DJ Kelly J and DJ Junior dropped their TMA 2: Flash Flood Warning mixtape. It’s been almost a year since that tape was released and there have been plenty of changes since then. DJ Kelly J is back with the TMA 3 mixtape, due tomorrow exclusively through Hip Hop Vibe.
For those who are not aware, DJ Kelly J is a popular figure on the Las Vegas hip hop scene, as she does the mixes on Hot 97.5. While doing mixes on the radio, DJ Kelly J has found herself mastering the other forms of DJ-ing. Her upcoming work here with Hip Hop Vibe is about the TMA 3 mixtape.
With today being Thanksgiving and how different Hip Hop Vibe went last year, the decision was made to continue the trend. DJ Kelly J is a model who DJs and is dropping her tape on Hip Hop Vibe tomorrow. So, the Hottie of the Week feature was mixed with an interview updating the world on DJ Kelly J.
DJ Kelly J also allowed Hip Hop Vibe to liberate the cover for TMA 3.
Read the entire interview below:
What was your first foray into the game, modeling or DJ-ing? I kinda started both around the same time. I was 18 when I began learning about the modeling industry and building my portfolio, and when I had my internship at 88.1 KCEP and began learning about being a DJ. My passion to be a DJ has always been a lot stronger though, growing up in Detroit all I did was listen to the radio and buy mix tapes. So when I had the internship in Vegas, it brought back this feeling I had since I was a kid.
How did you wind up doing the mixes on 97.5? Persistence (laughs). I applied to that radio station every year, for four years, and didn’t get hired til this year around my birthday. Probably the dopest birthday present ever.
There is an unspoken divide between “radio DJs” and “mixtape DJs,” how do you feel as a “radio DJ” who drops mixtapes? There are actually three types of djs: radio DJs, mixtape DJs, and club DJs. And I’m more actively a Club DJ than anything else. The three in a sense all do the same thing, which is provide music for their market, it’s just that their markets aren’t the same. A radio DJ’s crowd isn’t the same as the mixtape DJ’s underground/upcoming crowd, and the club DJ’s crowd is like, a weird combination of whatever is trending. Being able to successfully do all three takes a lot of time, practice, and research. I’m just glad I learned that now instead of twenty years from now.
Since today is Thanksgiving, what are you doing to celebrate the holiday and what are you eating? Food is the big homie and I was raised on soul food. Turkey, dressing, baked mac & cheese, greens, baked beans, potato salad, all of that is a must. Half of my family lives in Vegas where I am now and the other half is back in Detroit. I usually call my loved ones back home, cook with my family here, and just relax. Grab like three cartons of egg nog and forget the word “diet” exists for a couple days.
You’re putting in work, without a doubt, can you tell us more about TMA 3? TMA3 stands for “The Morning After 3”. Kinda like, the music you get so lost in, you have to pop a morning after pill the next day, (laughs.) It’s the third installment of the series and I try to keep these mix tapes as r&b as possible, which is a little harder considering the direction music is going in. I love hip hop with a passion, but I wanted one series of mixtapes that I drop once a year to be all about r&b, the ups and downs of relationships, the sexy, seductive side of music.
Why did you decide to return to Hip Hop Vibe to drop this tape? Hip Hop Vibe showed me and DJ Junior so much love last year and I really appreciated the support. TMA2 wasn’t just tossed on and forgotten about, and I noticed. I look forward to releasing more projects exclusively through Hip Hop Vibe.
Will you be working with DJ Junior on any upcoming projects? Hopefully so. DJ Junior really put me on game about mixtapes. I learned a lot, and look forward to releasing more dope projects.
As the year is coming to a close, are you pleased with how things turned out for you? This was maybe the hardest, most stressful, most dope year ever (laughs.) I made a lot of moves in one year that some DJs never make, so I’m definitely happy, and more wise. I’ve become a little more consistent, worked harder on my talents as a DJ, built a bigger following, so, I’m ready for the next move.
What should we expect from you next year? Next year, I’ll be traveling a lot more, getting a first hand experience of the club scene all over the world, and touring myself. I’ll be dropping a lot more mixtapes, and taking the time to interact with people.
How can fans connect with you online? My website is being redesigned, and my app is being created so people can kinda have info about me at their fingertips. The website for sure will be back up before this year is over, which is www.djkellyj.com. Until then, I can be found on any social network if you search “djkellyj” and my booking email is [email protected].
See additional photos of DJ Kelly J below:
See the TMA mixtape cover below:
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