Exclusive Interview: DJ T Beauty Delves on Her Creative Tastes, Musical Influences & Her Musical Journey

When did you first think of becoming a DJ and was it a nonchalant decision?

I thought about being a DJ for many years. I remember first wanting to be a dj when I was introduced to Salt n Peppa in the 90’s. All of my attention was on their DJ Spin(derella). I had NEVER seen a female DJ. Seeing her do it with so much skill, finesse and style really opened my eyes to another world! It honestly took me YEARS and a big push to decide that I was going to actually give it an honest try.

How did you develop a keenness for the Afrobeat genre?

Oh my God. I just love the music! It’s, honestly, what I listen to in my personal time. I can literally throw on one of my Afrobeat mixes and be fine listening to that and nothing else for hours. Its something about the beat. I love rhythmic music. Afrobeats reminds me a lot of the style of music that is played in DC called Go-Go. Its highly percussive and music like that makes people dance and come together. When I play afrobeats, even when it is in Yoruba or Igbo and we don’t even understand the lyrics fully, it doesn’t stop people from dancing. I love anything that brings my people together. I love anything that makes my people dance.

How do you motivate yourself when things are not going your way as your profession requires a lot of effort?

That’s a good question. I, just like many people across the country, especially creatives, deal with bouts depression from time to time, lapses in creativity, and the absence of motivation. Here recently, with the COVID-19 pandemic, I think everyone’s mental strength has been tested. And in times like these, I give myself permission to rest and recoup. I do a lot of self care and mediation to stay grounded and I write. Writing really gives me a space to express myself and how I’m feeling and once I’ve expressed it, I can let it go. I eat a nice meal, light my candles, have a glass of wine and just be god to myself. Then I’ll write out my feelings and burn the page and try to start the next day with a new perspective, a fresh mindset and a game plan.

Who has been the earliest influence who inspired you to take the plunge in the music scene?

Of course, DJ Spinderalla as I said earlier. But I was basically birthed into the music scene. My father (Justin ‘Jrok’ Young) is a professional guitarist that has traveled the world and he’s a pretty big deal at home. I’ve always been surrounded by musicians, artists and creatives. When I connected with Youngman, he saw something in me and invested by purchasing my entire DJ setup! That was the push I needed. I had no choice by to learn how to use it. I did some ‘binge learning’ from DJ Carlo Atentidio via Youtube. I did invested in a few workshops with Beat Refinery. I put in the practice time and told a few friends what I had up my sleeve. My very first client Ashley Williams, is like a sister to me and without ever hearing me spin, she hired me for her private party. She was blown away and has hired me for everything she ever done since. I, actually, did her wedding earlier this year.

Is being a DJ a full-time job, a side hustle, or something you do for fun? (or some combo of the above)

It’s full time fun! I do have a secondary business, Selfie Supreme Photo Booth which I started before I became a DJ. Fortunately, the Photo Booth business has only enhanced my services as a DJ and has become a popular add-on service that I am able to offer my clients.

What goals have you accomplished? What goals are you still working towards?

When I first started djaying, my short term goal was to service a wedding. I have scratched that goal off of my list server times. When I landed Beer Fest at Nationals Stadium Park, I felt very accomplished because. Had only been a DJ for one year when we began our working relationship but I have been reigning queen of DC Beerfest for 3 years strong now. The only type of event I haven’t serviced yet that is still a goal for me is a high school prom. I believe I should be able to accomplish that one once COVID-19 over. I also enrolled in school for Audio Production and was able to get my certificate from Full Sail University and expect to graduate with my bachelors in 2022. So my goals now are more so geared toward my career as a producer. I’m ready to make and mix some records.

How has the current music industry helped you grow as one of the best DJs in the afro scene?

To be honest, I believe, at least in my area, which is Washington DC, I was one of the only DJ’s that I know of that was playing afrobeats specifically. Dj’s in DC used to play a lot of hip hop, r&b, of course Go-Go music being that its the sound of the city… and they would play reggae. But I’d like to think I had a big hand in bringing Afrobeats specifically to the DMV. I can remember private events and large festivals where I would always, as I call it, “ sneak in some Afrobeats” and I definitely had to sneak it in the set because it wasn’t requested . But I would throw some of my favorites in there and people would dance and come and ask me what the song was and things like that. And I remember one day when Davido’s “If” had finally made it to my local radio station, I almost cried. I was so happy that my favorite music was now mainstream. And so with that, I think that the increasing popularity of artists like WizKid, David and Burna Boy in the US, it has made it a lot easier for me to play what I love because now everybody else loves it as well. I don’t have to ‘sneak’ it in anymore. I get requests for Afrobeats now and now, people know to call me for those vibes because I know the so genre extensively.

Can we expect any upcoming projects soon? Please shed some light upon it.

I have been trying to get my brother KidCash on a record over the pandemic. He’s a fire rap artist that I’m excited about but he has been so busy defeating these battle rappers lately, I think we are going to be waiting a while on that one. In the meantime, I have been working on a single for an artist named Zoë called “cLass weiRdo” and cooking up some other songs for her long awaited project. Her fans should definitely stay tuned because she is in the zone!

Can we expect any upcoming projects soon? Please shed some light upon it.

Yes. Be sure to connect with me on instagram @DJ_TBeauty.

I want to take the time and space to say “Thank you” to my management Moment Ent Group and Domo ‘Youngman’ Lee for believing in me and being my support. My children, Zoë, Miaya, Daniyah, & DJ, I love you. Thank you for all the motivation and for sharing me with the world. To my parents (Tan Young & Jrok) and siblings (Leah Jones & KidCash), I am officially “the Famous one” now.  To my clients and many supporters, you are the BEST!

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