In what is a notoriously male-dominated industry, this International Women’s Day we’re celebrating the female DJs who have not only been killing it with their unbelievable talent but are set to keep turning heads for the rest of this year.
Carista
A Dutch-Surinamese DJ, Carista (above) is an innovative female artist whose music doesn’t really fit into one box. Her sets are diverse, ranging from hip-hop to house and disco, and everything in between. Her mixed taste was nurtured by her diverse musical surroundings growing up in The Netherlands.
Carista is quickly becoming one of the scene’s fastest-rising DJ’s. You can catch her frequently across renowned Dutch clubs, such as De School. But it was her triumphant Dekmantel set this year which arguably gave her the biggest push onto the international stage. Her diverse, fun and soulful sound has earned her recognition in and outside the Dutch boarders and is without a doubt going to grant her continual and ceaseless success this year.
Mafalda
Portuguese-born Mafalda quit her job as a fashion designer in Lisbon and moved to London to pursue music four years ago. Inspired by the city’s thriving jazz scene, her own productions flow between jazz, funk and soul, whilst her distinctive DJ sets, with their contemporary hip-hop, disco and funk influences, are granting her huge success. She’s now not only taking regular bookings across London, but also all over Europe, including festival appearances at Field Day, Nuits Sonores and Dekmantel. Crack Magazine even named her Resident Advisor podcast as one of the mixes of the year for 2018. Alongside her contemporary club-ready jazz sets, Mafalda also co-runs the label Melodies International with Sam Shepherd (aka Floating Points), who she got to know by attending his night, Plastic People, most weekends following her move to London. Having undoubtedly proved her success by smashing it last year, I think Mafalda is one to listen out for in 2019, as it’s difficult not to fall in love with her unique sound.
Anz
Manchester DJ and grime producer, Anz, has been smashing it this year with her music. Combining her production credentials and musical expertise, Anz’ sets are full of high energy and vibrant – steel percussion blended with bassline, synth-work, half-time 808s, and grime minimalism.
After the release of her self-titled debut EP in the summer of 2017, her success has been boundless. She is quickly becoming revered in the music world, highlighted by her 2018 invitation to play for Boiler Room. You can find her DJing in Manchester at venues like Soup Kitchen and also on her monthly Saturday NTS radio show. She played at Wharf Chambers back in January, so hopefully to Leeds she’ll return soon.
Roza Terenzi
No one’s made a bigger breakthrough this year than Australian DJ, Roza Terenzi. Her father, a reggae drummer and electronic music producer, spurred her interest in dance music and after years of experimenting with and fine tuning her style, she surfaced in Australia in 2016 and earned herself a spot as a resident at Lounge – one of the most prominent house and techno clubs in the city. She has supported the likes of Jayda G, Avalon Emerson, Objekt and Volvox, and after being introduced to D. Tiffany at the Australian festival Inner Varnika, the two collaborated to successfully create the incredible ‘Planet Euphorique’.
From a Perth music fanatic, to a Melbourne scene figurehead, Roza is an artist who is now rapidly becoming one of the most exciting DJs and producers in the warehouse scene.
Born in Vancouver, the city’s unique style of dance music – laid-back and beautifully melancholic- perfectly describes D. Tiffany’s music. Her production is seemingly effortless, wandering around influences from backbeat, disco and deep house. She has been turning heads on the underground scene for several years, but her recent EP, Blue Dreams, has accumulated over 75,000 plays on SoundCloud alone. She has to date released music on Canadian labels Pacific Rhythm, Normals Welcome, Isla, Genero, Heart to Heart, and Cacao. D, and there is undoubtedly continual success in store for her this year.
Charlotte De Witte
Initially entering the DJ world under the male alias “Raving George”, Belgian DJ Charlotte De Witte is relatively fresh on the scene. She spent years playing as whom she described as her male alter ego to avoid the stereotypical expectations of a female techno DJ: “I was so young, and still very insecure,” she says. “I didn’t want to shout about the fact I was a female producer until people had booked me.”
But just over two years ago, she began using her birth name, Charlotte, and in doing so, a fast-paced trajectory followed. She’s proven her skill in the studio and on the decks, having had releases on labels such as Tiga’s Turbo Recordings and Sleaze.
Her trademark sound – headstrong, intense and uncompromising techno – secured her an essential mix debut on BBC Radio 1, a passage at Boiler Room, and even the cover of DJ MAG. She’s an artist whose story represents that being female is something to embrace and celebrate.
Tasha Ratti
(Main image: Mixmag)