When we think of DJ's we often tend to think of a guy mixing at the turn table hyping up the crowd, but times have definitely changed in the gender roles of dj's and it has definitely took a turn for the best now that Rashida Robinson, a.k.a DJ Rashida is in the mix. You can be sure to count on not only hype vibes from the crowd, but also an overflowing personality filled to the rim with soul, culture, creativity, natural beauty, style, and positivity. With a father who was an avid collector of all ranges of music and a mother who was a radio dj, a flautist, and a singer in both Las Vegas & New Mexico, Rashida was always surrounded by the culture and rhythm of music; and that lasting impression has surely stewed into some major talent.

"The idea of mixing and moving the crowd thrilled me. It sounded to me like the DJs were creating new songs when they blended, juggled, and mixed from one tune to another. So I decided I was going to do just that: create." - DJ Rashida

Rashidas story begins quite ordinary and ends up intertwined with some fabulous & amazing encounters. She started djing at a local venue in Atlanta, graduated with a degree in photography from the Atlanta College of Fine Arts in 2002, and after a short hiatus in Spain she decided to make her life voyage back to Los Angeles, where she became a resident DJ at the popular Temple Bar where she opened for legendaries like Africa-Bambaataa, Omar, Raphael Saadiq, and Eric Roberson. She then started a gig spinning at the House of Blues on Sunset Strip in 2004 where she opened for artists like The Roots, Faith Evans, Jill Scott, Common, John Legend, and the list goes on and on. "While spinning at a gig at the House of Blues, Rashida's mix was heard next door by some band members playing at a private after party. They sat in on her set and said "Oh, You Funky" Rashida Recalls." -remixmag.com. Just so happened those band members were with the legendary Prince himself. She started off playing at his after parties and home parties to going on tour with him as his personal Dj, and now she is frequently known as his "go-to Dj". While I wouldn't call it coincidental, Rashida was well prepared for this sort of "luck" to flow her way.

You may have caught a glimpse of her in Princes Black Sweat Video, or maybe you have seen her on the 2006 BET awards serving up a nice mix behind Prince, or maybe you have jammed to her sets personally at the Temple Bar. Either way, if you held the chance to be accompanied by her beauty and talent, then you definitely were in good company. Rashida takes a moment to chat with us about her inspirations, her style, and her passion for all things music!

ymib.com: What is your typical work night like?

DJ Rashida: get my music together, go to the club/house or venue, eat dinner & have a drink, kick it... then time to play records!

ymib.com: What has been your most memorable experience while being a dj?

DJ Rashida: Wow, I wouldn't know where to start...so many good times. One of the most memorable would have to be two years ago..the Grammy after party at Prince's. It was like 3 in the morning and Stevie Wonder & co. rolled through..Maceo Parkers band was already playing so next thing you know, Stevie, Prince, & Maceo start jammin...it was magic! Then Alicia keys jumps in and they jammed for a couple of hours, and towards the end I was asked to join in and scratch. Most recently I would have to say hanging with my dad backstage at the 2006 Bet awards, getting ready to go on stage and perform and him telling me he was proud of me. Other than that, just all the traveling its allowed me to do, amazing people I've had the pleasure of meeting, and of course all the amazing performances I've witnessed.

ymib.com: What is the biggest inspiration behind you pursuing a career in deejaying?

DJ Rashida: sweet, sweet music!

ymib.com: Do you feel that you have to "prove" yourself with being a female dj and do you feel that there are any stigmas related to female dj's?

DJ Rashida: hmmmm, …there are stigmas, and a lot of times it feels like you have to come twice as nice as a dude..I used to feel the need to prove myself, but I've moved past that. In the end, a good dj is a GOOD dj, regardless of sex. I've heard plenty of tight female djs and plenty of wack male dj's and vice-versa ...whatever...quality is quality period.

ymib.com: If you had to pick 3 words to describe yourself, what would they be and why?

DJ Rashida:

Insomniac: because I've always had trouble sleeping at night, although I LOVE to sleep (in the day)

Sensitive: ask anyone who knows me (lol)

Dreamer: I love to night dream, day dream…just dream. I have a vivid imagination and any light shed on the subconscious is just wonderful to me…many of my dreams are premonitions so I pay close attention.

ymib.com: Where would you like to see yourself in the future?

DJ Rashida: everywhere

DJ Rashida: yes, invest in some turntables…start buying records now, start practicing..the skills will catch up 2 your collection eventually.

ymib.com: Who or what are your current top musical influences and why?

DJ Rashida: Prince, Marvin Gaye, Sly and The Family Stone, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Minnie Ripperton, George Clinton, Jimi Hendrix, Bjork…timeless, geniuses. Most of the other music I listen to has been influenced by at least one of them.

ymib.com: What did you do before becoming a dj?

DJ Rashida: I was a photography major at an art school in Atlanta, Georgia. I was painting, drawing, clicking and clubbing..lol

ymib: Favorite affirmation / inspirational quote?

DJ Rashida: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” -Nelson Mandela

ymib.com: How do you relax on your time off?

DJ Rashida: I DON'T go to clubs

ymib.com: Two things you never want to take for granted?

DJ Rashida: my family and this wonderous thing called LIFE

ymib.com: Any embarrassing moment while spinning?

DJ Rashida: wow, theres been more than one…how bout when u take the needle off the wrong record?(the one playing) I know the other djs feel me on that one. Lets see, I've been playing and someones talking my ear off ( and I don’t stop them because I don’t want to be rude) and the record ends before I can cue up another.. doh! I've learned many lessons in my 9 years.

There is no doubt that you have impeccable style. Tell us a bit about who some of your favorite designers are and how you keep such a beautiful glow?

Rashida: One of my favorite boutiques in LA is "Lotta NYC" on Melrose. My good friend Lotta Stensson is the designer and she makes the most beautiful pieces, ranging from casual to formal. Most of her clothing has a third world meets high fashion feel(lottanyc.com). My favorite accessory designers of the moment is "Noir"..lawd, they make the most fantastic pieces. Everything is ridiculously oversized and gaudy (in a good way, lol).

My favorite magazines will always be: ID, The Face, and Trace. Last but not least to keep myself looking right, I rely on just a few things. I recently started using "curls" products (www.curls.biz). They make the most fantastic conditioners & cleansing creams (that smell like coconut & chocolate..yum) for curly hair, they also really help get my curls back after having my hair pressed & done up for events, photo shoots, etc. My skin care is simple too, alba (organic) scrub & moisturizer & Dermalogica mask...all prescribed by (in my opinion) LA's most fantastic esthetician, Nona (holisticbynona.com), whom I see once a month.

ymib.com: What has been your biggest challenge & biggest reward of being a dj?

DJ Rashida: Trying not to be so critical of myself. It use to be that a flawed set in my eyes would ruin my night. Meanwhile people are having a good time and no one even noticed the flaws I'm obsessing over. Many times a “bad” night to me was a good night for the party goers..c’est la vie…I want perfection. The reward has been getting to meet, learn from, play alongside, and watch my musical heroes in action...such a blessing!

Read More about DJ Rashida by visiting her website