DJ Saige: Playing at Disney’s sneakerella to working on her very own Ep.
DJ Saige started her journey into music by learning how to play the piano at a young age. Since then her passion for music has seen her meet legendary producer Swizz beats and play at the New York premiere of Disney's sneakerella .
Ironically DJ Saige never saw herself become a DJ but is extremely grateful for the doors that have opened this far. Growing up there wasn’t many female producers or DJs at the time but she so desperately wanted to be in the music industry.
“I never thought that I would be a DJ ironically. ”
Now being able to work with companies like Disney she wants to take the next step in her career by releasing her very own Ep. The Ep will feature original production inspired by her love for piano-infused beats. Her affection for piano can be credited to Alicia Keys who is one of DJ Saige’s influences. Outside of her musical influences, DJ Saige says that her friends play a very important part in life and the person that she is today. Being able to constantly be inspired by her peers is something that she is forever grateful for.
“The fact that I was able to DJ for Disney was a moment where I applauded myself for how far I’ve come”
Going forward DJ Saige wants to inspire the next generation of women in the music industry who look to make a name for themselves. Woman's representation is important to her and believes that the sooner woman can break the stigmas associated with the music industry the better.
This interview has been lightly edited for the purpose of clarity and context.
Daniel: How would you describe yourself as a person?
DJ Saige: I would describe myself as very family and friend orientated person. I love music and to be around good energy. I love reading and lastly I would say that I am very spiritual. That’s the best way I would sum myself up.
When did you decide that music was something that you could gravitate towards?
Well I have been playing piano since I was five years old. I always had a musical background I just didn’t think that I knew how I could turn it into a career. Growing up there wasn’t any role models of female DJs or producers so I think that I just followed my passion. I took that leap of faith to do something that I believed in. I’m surprised where it has taken me so far. I know this sounds so cliché or corny but it started with a dream and I always knew that I wanted to be in the music world I never thought that I would be a DJ ironically. Being a DJ has opened so much doors for me and that’s how it all started.
Can you talk to me about a moment that you experienced where you thought to yourself that you actually came a long way?
That’s kind of difficult… I think when I have those moments I have to pinch myself… I think those moments I’m like oh shoot I’m doing something! Recently I did a gig with Disney which was a really big moment for me obviously because growing up I watched Disney channel. The fact that I was able to DJ for Disney was a moment where I applauded myself for how far I’ve come. I felt the need to be present in that moment and happy for that accomplishment. Also meeting Swiss Beats was really cool.
Talk to me about the emotions that you felt when you DJ’d at Disney’s sneakerella?
I felt excited and nervous. I think that I always feel nervous for a gig especially when I care about the gig. There is always that little butterflies in your stomach when you know that you want to do well, look presentable and you want everything to go smoothly. Having said that I was ready for the day to come. I think that waiting for the day to come is what caused the butterflies but when you get there its comes naturally and you just go with the flow and have fun.
Are there any struggles that you had to overcome mentally on your journey this far?
Yes, I think the pandemic was a struggle mentally especially since we didn’t know what was going to happen with the world. It’s very scary when you work for yourself and the way you make your money is by being outside. Having to pivot and find ways to make money online those type of struggles was really eye opening for me and taught me that I should always be ten steps ahead because we don’t know what state the world will in 6 months from now. I think that was the biggest mental struggle for me so far outside of being a woman in the industry which has its own challenges mentally.
Being in a male dominated industry, how do you make sure that when you step into a room that you belong there because you have worked so hard?
That’s a good question… I think that just the way I carry myself and I know that I am capable if not more capable than most people in the room which gives me a lot of confidence. Sometimes it’s col to be the only woman that is in the room because it shows me that I am making a change and breaking the cycle of it being a male dominated field. It does give me a boost but at the same time it can become very frustrating… I think by not letting that energy defeat me and rather using it as fuel to make sure that I show up and do my best.
I saw that you played at Wolftyla’s wolf members only event. How do you prepare for a show? How do you know what type of set you need to play in different environments?
I will say that Afro-beats music has really made its way to New York and the East Coast from my experience. It has definitely taken over the scene from Wizkid to Omah lay. There is a couple of artists that have “passed over” and made their way over here. The way I like to approach events is that I like to play new artists and see people’s reaction. But of course there are the popular records that people want to hear from artists such as Drake. Over the years I have found a balance between incorporating new stuff that people most likely haven’t heard before and playing the familiar songs that everyone wants to hear. As a DJ you never really know what you’re getting yourself into but you have to know how to read the room and see what people are there and go based off of that.
Taking up a career in music can be very challenging to say the least. Do you have any fears in that regard?
You know I’ve learnt not to lead with fear because that is the one thing that will allow you not to accomplish what you want. Over the years I have learnt to just trust the process and to be smart with the moves that I make. It’s very important for me to do things that I am happy with doing and that I align myself with. If it ever gets to a point where I am not happy with something that I’m doing, then I’ll reevaluate the situation. Of course you have those negative thoughts where you second guess yourself and wonder if this is even going to work but like I mentioned earlier I’m very spiritually. So I always tell myself that this is the path that the universe and God wants me to be on.
Who are your inspirations in life?
I am inspired by Alicia Keys because the two of us have a similar come up and of course by what she can do with the piano. I’m inspired by producers who are paving the way for others for example people like Larrance Dopson he is also someone that does amazing things with the piano. I love original production by anyone that can incorporate instruments into their production, instantly I’m a fan. I myself stepped into production and just seeing how other people can use live instruments its really inspiring. Then of course I also look up to my peers and other DJ friends of mine that are doing their thing. Wolftyla and I are also very good friends. Having built that organic relationship with her has allowed us to bounce ideas off of each other. In short I would say that my environment, friends and peers are my inspirations in life.
Talk to me about the music scene in New York, is it still very ‘drill centred?’
You know I would say that Afro-beats is really taking over. I don’t know if it’s just the places that I am placing myself into but a lot of the DJ sets currently are very centred around Afro-beats and RnB. Drill will always get the party going if I can put it that way. I really do feel that Afro-beats has crossed over heavy and we here it more. Of course the hip-hop songs are still there but it’s not the classic hip-hop songs of old there is a very distinct different sound. At the moment the sound that controls the nightlife is Afro-beats, dancehall and reggae.
What do you look to accomplish in the next few years?
I will be putting out an ep so I’m looking forward to that. It’s going to be all original production. The goal is to have piano incorporated beats produced by myself. I would actually love to get a lot of Afro-beat songs on that ep if I’m being honest since it’s what I have been inspired by. Working with more big corporations like Disney is also a goal of mine for the next few years.
Leading up to making your own ep, has the journey been difficult in terms of learning production?
I haven’t found it too difficult to learn production. Once I understood the software Abelton it was go time. I think the hardest part for me was to understand the programme itself. Another thing that was really difficult was coming up with original ideas and original melodies. It’s always easy to take a sample or a loop but the real challenge is actually creating it yourself.
You’re in the radio space as well, how have you found doing interviews on radio?
I love it so much. During the pandemic I did a lot of zoom interviews but I like physically connecting with people who are like minded. It’s very nerve wrecking at the same time because you have to stick to the formal and make sure the transitions make sense. But I guess that is the joys of editing as well you are able to be more creative in your approach. Even the fact that we are able to connect with each other is something truly amazing.
How would you describe the broadcasting industry in New York at the moment?
I do a lot of Dj’ing on the radio so I don’t cover any news topics (not at the moment at least). I don’t actually know if I’m honest. I think that the news here is very fast paced. Our attention span is so quick I’m not even sure if people retain the information that they get.
In terms of doing sets for radio would you prepare differently that you would for live events?
Yes, there is a formula for radio. You have to play the highest rated songs.
Do you agree with that formula though?
Personally no, because it takes away from the creativity of a DJ. I understand that you have to play the hottest songs butt now it seems that all DJs are being very robotic and very one sounds the same. I will say the station that I’m at siriusxm there is a lot of freedom but its satellite radio so it works differently to commercial radio. The channel that on is I’m Hip-hop nation and I have the freedom to play who I want so that’s cool. I must say that the radio space is full of politics and business.
