We had the good fortune of connecting with DJ Bomshell Boogie and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi DJ Bomshell, do you have a budget? how do you think about personal finances?
I live a very humble life. I live beneath my means. So that I can see Usher in Vegas when I feel like it.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a DJ. My story is a little different and defines the crux of my musical style. Growing up in the 90’s I’ve always had a love for music specifically Hip-Hop and rap. In my mind I was Q from the movie Juice. The art of turntablism was the most fascinating thing that I wanted to learn and conquer. I would check out DJs that I loved, I would watch VHS tapes of famous DJs in the competition world. I put my Technics 1200s on layaway, got them out and started practicing everyday.
However 20 years ago it was not common to have a female DJ actually running the party. It was almost as if the world didn’t trust a woman with that kind of power. I began to love the power of crowd control so much that I wanted it all the time. After my commitment to DJing of course challenges ensued. We are talking the early 2000’s before the “Me Too Movement”. I wont speak on those challenges too much because we have al heard the story. I have found solace in the fact that I just said “NO”. I said “NO” if it meant losing a dream job, a gig, or opportunity. To be able to stand on your skills is a blessing and I don’t take it for granted. I do what I WANT to do.
I will say that my musical style comes from my journey. Im from New Orleans therefore my music roots are strong. I came up in the era where the OGs were the gate keeper of the music and the game. They did not let me dj because of a tight dress. I had to get busy on those turntables or I wasn’t getting booked. There wasn’t social media to dictate your worth by “followers”or “likes “. You had to earn your spot and I’m so thankful I came up in that era it made me who I am today. I put 100% into every performance as if I’m proving myself every single time. The greatest lesson that I have learned from DJing is to always be true to yourself and your art and your art will speak for itself. Define yourself for yourself. As Audre Lorde said
“If I didn’t define myself for myself I would be crunched into other people’s fantasies for me and eaten alive”
When I leave this earth I hope people remember me as the person that gave them the time of their life, gave them a soundtrack to remember and I even love the fact that some couples have babies because they met on the dancefloor that I had the honor of rocking. I hope somebody fell in love because of me. I hope that some depressed person let go all their worries that one night. I hope someone came to a show I did and had a time. I hope that at some point we had a time together.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I want to be this social person that knows the best restaurants and parties, lol I did at 25 but, in real life all I do is go to concerts and I shoot pool. I shoot pool 4 times a week and DJ the rest.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
If I ever lived with you as a child, teenager or young adult. I’m thankful for you!
Website: https://www.djbomshellboogie.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldofabomshell/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bomshellboogie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djbomshell.boogie.79
Image Credits
Tenola Plaxico (Gold Jacket Pic)