“hyper energetic,” “energetical” -Young DJs bring their inspiration to Sakihiwe festival
On the weekend of June 29th, and 30th, three of Winnipeg’s youngest DJs took the stage at Turtle Island Neighbourhood Centre and Central Park outdoor stage as a part of Sākihiwē festival.
Going by their pseudonyms, DJ Und3adrat, DJ Fallen and DJ Sierra, these three DJs have been honed their skills, scratching, mixing and matching tracts, in workshops hosted by Spence Neighbourhood Association.
The workshops have given them access to equipment as well as guidance from leaders, including 2016 DMC DJ championship winner DJ Brace and local legend Mama Cutsworth.
For the past couple years, they have had the opportunity to perform at community barbeques and spring clean ups, but Sākihiwē marked their first time playing outside of community centres.
“My life revolves around music,” DJ Fallen says. When discussing their influences, DJ Sierra emphatically replies “Skrillex” and says that their set will be “hyper energetic” which DJ Fallen coins as “energetical.”
“It’s fun learning, it’s experimental,” DJ Fallen says. “Like you gotta mix different vials of chemicals together, BPMs and keys.”
These workshops have not only taught them how to mix tracks as a DJ, but also taught them the ins and outs of being a professional performer, such as how to work out contracts and collect invoices.
The idea to purchase a turntable and begin developing young DJs came from Apid Gurung, a Youth & Family Program Manager at Spence Neighbourhood Association and former Youth & Family Program Manager Mungala Londe, who is a member of the hip-hop group Lytics.
Gurung says that most youth are pushed towards sports, but there weren’t many free, community programs for youth interested in music.
As a result, they ordered the equipment and hired instructors to help individuals learn about how to be a DJ.
“Our end goal is to create local youth superstars,” Gurung says.
However, the young DJ's journeys are difficult as Gurung says they do not have the money to get the DJs equipment to bring home.
Additionally, there is a lack of funding for music programs and the workshops will have to end after this month.
“The federal government and provincial government see more benefits in sports rather than music programming, I guess,” Gurung says.
“This June will be the last classes and then after that, we have to stop until we get the funding to hire another instructor.”
Despite this being the end, the young DJs are excited to perform.
“I am kind of building anxiety while at the same time we’re also getting hyped,” DJ Sierra says.
Winnipeggers should look out for DJ Und3adrat, Fallen and Sierra as they have dreams of being the city’s youngest ever DJs and eventually becoming professionals, producers and playing at massive festivals like Tomorrowland in Belgium.
Patrick Harney, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Leaf
