She is the DJ on everybody’s lips Stateside – the 13 year old from Delaware who first showed an interest in the art of DJing at the ripe old age of two!! Her motivation is to do what she loves and make people smile in the process and due to an incredible work ethic, Sophia has honed her skills and has quickly become a force to be reckoned with. Part of the Wild Tight Collective which includes Erykah Badu, DJ Sophia has already played alongside the likes of Jazzy Jeff, The Lost Boyz, Kid Capri and DJ Aktive. You want this party started right? Here’s your girl…
Sophia, a huge welcome to DMCWORLD. Where in the world are you today?
I’m living, I’m healthy my family is healthy and we’re all doing well and waiting for the public to re-open so we can hit those stages again. But I’m living in Delaware in the United States.
What is the best piece of new music you have heard recently?
I enjoy ‘Sunshine’ by Fat Joe and Rhianna and also ‘Levitating’ by Dua Lipa and Da Baby.
It was your father, a DJ himself, who started this magical journey by surprising you with a pair of Pioneer DJ PLX-1000 limited-edition gold turntables. But let’s rewind even further -what is your earliest memory of music growing up?
My earliest memory of music growing up is playing on my dad’s keyboard while he was in the DJ room playing around on the turntables. I would listen to the music and how he scratched and sometimes he would let me try to scratch on the turntables. Of course, I wasn’t good because I was only a baby but I was 2 years old to be exact but I really just continued to keep practicing and getting better and it made me the person I am today!
What genre of music were you into when you were a child?
I used to listen to Hip Hop and RnB which I still continue to listen to now.
So how did you whole ‘do you want to be a DJ’ adventure begin? What was it about this world of playing music that captured your imagination?
Well it started when I did my first event. When I saw all of the people dancing and smiling and really just having a good time and getting all of the positive praise and that just set off the idea to continue to DJ actually began.
DMC are of course the company being the World DJ Championships, now in it’s 5th glorious decade. I know you are a big fan of Jazzy Jeff who once entered the competition, what other turntablists have grabbed your attention so far?
Like you said DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Dummy, DJ Kayper, DJ Coco Chanelle, DJ Bee and DJ Aktive.
Tell us about your first ever live gig?
My first ever live gig was at age 6. It was at the school where my dad used to work. I had to Dj a glow party for the kids attending that school. It was really fun because most of the kids were my age and they were all dancing and having a good time. The smiles on their faces brightened the mood of the party and it made me realize that I enjoy seeing people smile and have a good time.
What did your friends at school think of you DJing?
A lot of my friends root me on and are fully behind the movement. But, of course there are haters at school but I just have to tune them out and worry about me and not them.
DMC loved your Youngest in Charge slogan. What was the idea behind it?
The idea behind the youngest in charge slogan was just a way to show that kids can do this too. It is not all up to the adults to DJ. For me, it is just a quick way to say that although I may be young, I’m ready to take on the world.
How do you get / choose new music?
My dad downloads music from BPM Supreme record pool since I work with their company. My dad takes and puts the music on a hard drive and then I listen to the songs and choose what tracks I want to keep. I add those songs into crates and organize them for my sets and live broadcasts. Organizing crates takes up a lot of time.
What do you find the hardest part of DJing?
The hardest part about DJing is finding all of the time to do it and managing all of the projects that I have to complete every day.
What about the production side of DJing? How are you exploring this element?
I have played around with producing beats in Serato Studio. In some of my mixes I add a beat custom made by me but I have not put any beats out for people to use, yet.
You have played with the likes of Erykah Badu, The Lost Boys and DJ Aktive – what spinners have been especially kind to you or given you cool advice?
Probably D-Nice for the win on this one he is a girl dad and he gives excellent advice as well he is very genuine and to the point. He has so much personality and truly loves what he does. He is truly a great friend and totally gives great advice anytime you need it. Everyone I have worked with and met has always given me some positive praise and tips and I am thankful.
Okay let’s get personal for a moment…
Favourite ever film?
I really like Lion King the original one the new one is good but it just doesn’t have that much animation. And I also like the Parent Trap.
Favourite track of all time?
That’s a hard question for a DJ lol. I like so many songs but really ‘All of the Lights’ by Kanye West and Rihanna is dope.
An annoying habit you wish you could stop doing?
Probably cracking every bone in my body, it gets old and is probably going to affect me in the long run of life.
The happiest day of your life…
Probably when I got my puppy Hazel. She is a Chihuahua and that day was just great over all. I was in kindergarten and I got recognized as student of the month that day. It was a Friday and Fridays are always good! I got Dunkin Donuts in the morning and Dairy Queen ice cream in the afternoon. So that had to be the greatest day of all time in my life so far.
And finally, is there a DJ dream inside you? An ultimate gig or goal?
My biggest goal is to DJ for really BIG audiences. I was a guest DJ at Madison Square Garden for the New York Knicks game and it was sold out with 20,000 people there and that was fun. One of my DJ dreams would be to go on tour since I love to travel and open up for someone like Rhianna or Beyoncé.
