Philadelphia Weekly

MUSIC > WHAT'S UP WITH

What's Up With

... DJ Afrodjiak

By Dirty South Joe

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Jul. 25, 2007

D.C.-area native Jamica "DJ Afrodjiak" El (aka Josey) moved to Philly four years ago. Originally a staunch advocate of hip-hop's more "conscious" side, she quickly realized there was more to her craft than simply preaching to the converted.

"I went from being worried about saving the world and making sure there was a message in every single song played to trying to rock crowds and make people enjoy their night," she confesses. "I realize everything I like isn't what someone may be in the mood for when they get off work at the end of the day. Music is just music to some people, and most of them just wanna unwind. I still play what I like to hear, and what I think partygoers will like too."

El credits the evolution of her style to finding that balance. "I'm having a lot of fun with the pressure off. If you see me spinning, I'll be bouncing. I'm not the DJ with the straight face lookin' mean."

Constantly in the cut, El throws a monthly "celebration of women in hip-hop and the arts" called Paper Thin, currently housed at the M Room. She also has a Friday-night residency at Savannah's, and another mixtape on the way. "I've been working on [Mo Betta Blends] for a while, and that's just a crazy mashup thing that should be out later this summer."