My earliest years of Hip Hop was Planet Rock, Twilight 22's Electric Kingdom and RUN DMC's Sucker MC's.Yes, my teenage years were in the early to mid 80's! I grew up on the West Coast, and 80's Hip Hop was predominately on the East.  In 1984, at Westchester High School, my buddy James (now Shareef El-Shabazz), was a DJ and he started spinning during our school lunches from 12pm-1pm every Wednesday.  I would help James carry in his crates, then sit on the side of the stage and watch him cook (as the kids say). In those days, female DJ's were very few or non-existent...it was purely a "boyz game!"  Although I left that dream in the 80's, I was passionate about Hip Hop, and all other genres of music. Like most girls in my day, I attended college, obtained my degrees and decided to focus on Healthcare.  

Fast forward to 2020...it's COVID!! I'm working in the Cardiology department, and my hours are 4:30am-until I dropped.  My saving grace was D-nice who streamed on Instagram.  Once I saw him, I was staying awake all night, catching him during my lunch hours, driving in my car...basically whenever I could.  The music kept me going!!!  Miraculously on Monday, May 4, 2020, D-Nice had an "ALL FEMALE" DJ set.  That's when I saw @Quiana Parks, and I was mesmerized.  

She did a performance that made me want to purchase turntables immediately!!  However, I couldn't do it: 1) I was in my 50's. 2) I had 2 kids in middle & high school  3) Who would take me seriously? I discussed this with my kids and boyfriend, and although they encouraged me to start.....I couldn't get past my age.  Then behold, as a present, I received a controller, speaker monitors, and a laptop.  I haven't looked back since!! 

I speak often about my age, because we as women allow society to dictate us by that.  We become everything to everyone, and forget what our passions are.  Music has ALWAYS been my passion, and Djing is LIFE to me.  Since 2020, I have joined 'Female DJ Association' or FDJA and was recently featured along with some AMAZING FEMALE DJs on SoundCloud.  I've performed with the "Ladies Loves Loops" organization at Record Box in Long Beach. I've attended Beat Junkie Institute of Sound DJ music school (entry-level course), and now attend Scratch DJ Academy in Los Angeles, where I will graduate this summer!!  My goals for the future:  To perform at "Scratch Like A Girl" at NAMM with @DJ Shortee next year, to be featured on other music profiles, and with lots of prayers going up.....a residency. 

My name is  @DanatheDJ, I'm currently 58 years old and a sincere "Hip Hop Head!"  A word of advice to ALL female DJ's : "Don't let time pass you by! If you think it....THEN DO IT!"