Canadian Royalty Jayda G took to the decks at Wire on the 9th February, to create an all-night party.
As she continues to establish herself as a world-renowned DJ and producer, Disco-House Queen Jayda G is nothing short of Canadian royalty. The past two years have seen her firmly secure a position on the dance music scene, epitomised by her 2017 Boiler Room set at Dekmantel Festival, where she played her defining combination of soul, disco and classic house whilst dancing like nobody was watching.
During this time, she has also been responsible, alongside DJ Fett Burger, for the label Freakout Cult, which adorns an array of original tracks and some of her own classics. Producing music has undoubtedly enabled Jayda to stay true to her own taste and style. When she isn’t dancing behind the decks, she is studying for her PhD in Environmental Toxicology, which begs the question: is there anything this woman (or perhaps Goddess) cannot do?
On a cold Saturday in February, Jayda used the intimate setting of Wire to prove she knows how to party and the crowd definitely agreed, feeding off her energy and having the time of their lives. Mixmag have described her sets as euphoric, bringing “soul and disco back to the dancefloor,” and in the smoke-filled brick basement of Wire, this is exactly what she did. In the same Mixmag feature, she continues to describe how important the audience is to her as a DJ and this care was evident throughout the night: “It’s about connecting with the audience, about creating a positive vibe. I want people to be happy, to let go of their worries so they can be themselves.”
The start of her set saw Jayda focus more on the classic house end of her repertoire, fitting perfectly with the time of the night. As people crept down the stairs of the club, they immediately began to settle into the night ahead, getting into the mood by soaking up the energy she expelled. But as the night continued, Jayda moved flawlessly towards the disco end of the spectrum, relaying iconic tunes from ‘Got To Be Real’ by Cheryl Lynn to ‘Ain’t Nothin’ But A Party’ by A Taste Of Honey to The Patchouli Brothers’ hit ‘Magic Rhythm’. She kept topping each track with an even better one, feeding the crowd exactly what they wanted, creating a bittersweet feeling at the thought of the night coming to an end.
It is important to note the intersectional position Jayda G is in as a black woman who takes to the decks. With the representation of women, and especially black women, so limited in the industry, Jayda places herself (perhaps unknowingly) as a role model for black women who are aspiring DJs. Her position tells these women that it is possible to pursue a love of music whether that is through performing or producing, and that such representation is essential in contemporary DJ culture which is persistently white-male dominated.
Jayda G is undoubtedly one of my favourite DJs that I have seen in Leeds. The care that she shows for the enjoyment of her audience radiates through her sets and leaves everyone wanting more. Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but following her appearance with Hunee at Mint Warehouse in October and now her solo set in Wire, I have no doubt that she will make her return to Leeds to continue the party very soon.
(Main image: DJ Mag)