It’s increasingly difficult to be able find a truly passionate and ambitious artiste like DJ Alexis Grace in today’s ever growing entertainment industry. An artiste like her with great passion can always make the impossible happen, likewise she has the mentality to persevere and achieve the very things she’s truly passionate in.
Days before the interview had been carried out, I was called in to meet and most importantly interview the lovely DJ Alexis Grace. I didn’t know what to expect upon interviewing her (and so will you) as I’ve come to learn that each and every artiste out there are just beyond excellent in crafting their content, DJ Alexis Grace is no exception as well to that. She had just dropped her latest and would I say, a masterpiece of all things, album titled, Mamamia #1. So let’s skip to the chase and introduce you, our amazing readers to the truly amazing DJ Alexis Grace and her electrifying album. She was approachable, quirky and easy-going upon my initial impression. For a matter of fact, she was very easy-going because we carried out our interview on the grounds of the studio instead of any other professional interview settings. I asked as to why she had decided to change her previous career as a model to being a professional DJ years back, what was so intriguing about becoming a DJ by profession and how did it all start? She was firmed upon her reasons in switching career paths and answered me, ” I used to do freelancing for modelling and occasionally host events once in awhile. I attended loads of events and most of these events do carry out after parties.” One of these after parties was a rave. In awe David Guetta was performing at that particular rave that I attended to and to add, It was coincidentally my first ever rave too. David Guetta was the first ever DJ I ever listened to and at the rave I felt amazing. It was amazing because all the songs that were playing had no lyrical content, but yet it felt immensely meaningful and touching to me.” She paused and laughed for awhile recalling that she even saw an individual pouring down in tears at the rave she attended. She adds that another reason why she had gotten into music was also because that she used to be a gamer too. “I was a gamer back then too, I played O2Jam and final fantasy back then believe it or not.” she said with a quirky smirk to her face while the rest of us were shocked by that fact. She continued on by saying, “My introduction to music also came from the DJ’s such as DJ Jakeman and Sketetor from Hitz.fm.” From my first introduction to it from events, rave and even games. I guess music is everything to me. I also got to know music from my boyfriend, DJ Tiger Ming. He could listen to EDM from the moment he wakes up until the moment he closes his eyes to sleep, he basically listens to EDM every single moment of his life and I could listen to it throughout the whole day with him too.” she said as she giggled. When asked about the few different DJs she aspires to be or are her favourites, she answered with a head slightly looking up with a good thought that she doesn’t really have a favourite DJ. However she adds, “I don’t have many favourites I would say, I enjoy their creative content and they showmanship whenever they perform and how engage with the audiences during their shows.” As the interview went on, I was still intrigued about her career as a DJ and asked what were the adversaries faced along the way for her. DJ Alexis Grace, didn’t fear from the question and instead answered with all honesty, “There are misconceptions and stereotypes about female DJs.” She states that she partially agrees with some of the stereotypes being true such as it does require the DJs to “press a few buttons” while “looking good” but she said there’s more to that. “They’re not wrong, however looking good is for the sole purpose of getting known and gaining recognition. It wasn’t easy because initially there were only male DJs and hardly any female DJs if you ask me.” she stated. “The problem was that if you were a girl and wanted to be a DJ, people would react as if you were joking. However, I don’t see the problem in girls becoming DJs. Back then, men would be the ones to go out to work and bring home the money to the family but it’s becoming increasingly common for both genders to do so now. Some mothers even earn a tonne more compared to the fathers.” On a lighter note, we asked her the exact opposite of the question and in which what was her biggest breakthrough for her career as a DJ. She answered simply getting the recognition she had worked hard for was when she knew she had done it. She added, “Basically I worked hard to the point where I no longer have to introduce myself. Back then I pushed myself to get known and now I don’t have to try as hard as I used to. It felt good that I had achieve something to the point where people recognise me. I believe that in everyone and in every career aspect, you would want to earn some recognition for your work.” I was curious as to what she had to go through before gaining the success she has now because I personally believe that success doesn’t come without making sacrifices. However for DJ Alexis Grace, she felt that there wasn’t much to be sacrificed in order to gain what she wants to achieve. The reason as to why she had said so is because she states, “I spend my time pretty well and organized it in terms of achieving my aspirations and goals. I guess at the end of it all it was worth it. My friends and family were very supportive too, no one prohibited me from doing what I wanted to achieve. Even my dad was pretty supportive and I saw him dancing once too at one of my shows, which was pretty cool to see.” she laughs at the fact that she had recalled such a moment. Speaking of shows, I asked if there was anything that she would like to share with us in which she doesn’t usually share with others about. She gave a good thought and said, “People consistently would like to know if I drink before I head unto stage and what not. The truth is that I used to do it, I take a few shots of tequila just to get rid of the stage frights I used to have.” “Of course now I don’t do it anymore because I know what works.” she gave a smirk and said, “syok sendiri, as long as I have fun on my own, usually my audiences will too.” She also added that even after all the years of performing in front of thousands and if not millions, her hands still get pretty shaky due to her nerves. When asked if she still does mistakes on stage, she answered boldly, “Of course! All the time!” while the rest of us laughed at the fact on how she said it so boldly. As we continuously exchange conversations, I was informed that I didn’t have much time left as Alexis had to leave for a show that she will be performing soon and she usually enjoys keeping herself busy for the record. So I decided to ask about the foremost important question of all. What is her album all about? She answered with sincerity and passion in her project saying, “In Malaysia, DJ’s don’t normally do the typical volume 1, volume 2 and so forth kind of album or mixtape some would call it. So I to be professional and also to start something, I would like to do what I’m trying to do now. I’m not too sure if other DJ’s would continue or imitate what I’m trying to do currently but I will be coming up with a new playlist or mixtape every month.” “That’s on a professional standpoint but for the audiences, new and old. I would like to educate and introduce the type of music I enjoy listening to the public and to the rest of the majority who would usually refer towards the conventional top 40 charts music.” she added. In addition, her album is titled “Mamamia” because if she had to use one word to describe herself, it would be that. No reason towards why but it’s what she truly feels represents her as a whole. As we came to a close to our interview, I soon come to realization that maybe the word “Mamamia” is best associated with her because there isn’t any one word that I can find to describe as a whole. She’s a whole package. Grounded, ambitious but most importantly, passionate, just like all that she does especially her work. Comments are closed.
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