Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ KICKIT.
Hi DJ KICKIT, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born in Mexico, but my family and I moved to Texas when I was two. As immigrants, we faced many challenges, and music became my escape at a young age. I played various instruments throughout my youth, including the violin and drums, and even dabbled in rapping during high school. By the time I was six, I was spending hours alone in my room, studying music. I’d analyze the drumming patterns in hip-hop songs, fall in love with the vocals of artists like Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, and Dru Hill, and practice imitating Janet Jackson’s dance moves from her music videos.
It was in college that I began to explore my DJing tendencies. I started by creating mixtapes and hosting my radio show for one semester. It wasn’t until years later, when I downloaded a DJing app, that I started experimenting with blending different types of music and testing out how certain transitions would sound. Given my background in playing music, blending songs on beat, pitch, and key came naturally to me.
In 2012, I started DJing at home and eventually invested in my equipment. I began playing at my friends’ house parties for free and quickly realized that I had the talent and skill, and a deep passion for playing with music and creating an enjoyable atmosphere for people. Since then, I’ve worked my way up by performing at various events, including house parties, weddings, and quinceañeras, and even becoming the first female DJ to perform live on one of San Antonio’s community radio shows. In 2019, I moved to Austin, and my career skyrocketed. I’ve DJ’d all over the Austin area and have even been featured on Pitbull’s Globalization on SiriusXM. My mixes were also featured in a hip-hop art exhibit called “A Cypher in Queens” in New York City, and I recently performed at ACL. I love what I do, and I feel grateful to be able to share my passion with the world.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Although working in a male-dominated industry has been challenging, I have found the Austin DJ community very welcoming. In my previous city, I faced multiple racial barriers while working with individuals who were very egotistical and would not believe in my work. Trying to diversify my performances with my mixes was also frustrating, as my efforts were often criticized. Once I moved to Austin, my career skyrocketed! I have enjoyed working with many of Austin’s amazing talents and organizations- an opportunity I never thought I would get living in San Antonio. I am grateful to have moved to Austin, where all genres of music are embraced, and I can truly be myself here.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am widely recognized for my energetic style of fusing Latin, hip-hop, funk, and R&B into my live shows, which feature me as an enthusiastic emcee who engages the audience to enhance the overall experience. Obstacles have marked my journey, but I am proud of my resilience and unyielding passion for my craft. I also have a career in tech, working full-time as Senior Product Manager for a finance company here in Austin. Balancing two full-time careers can be mentally and physically demanding, but my unwavering love for creating music and sharing it with the world fuels me to keep pushing forward. My unique selling point lies in the contagious charisma and energy that permeate my performances, allowing me to establish a genuine connection with each person I encounter. I always seek to broaden my knowledge and skill set, which sets me apart as a true artist.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
It can be challenging to find a mentor in the field of DJing, mainly if the DJs you admire are already occupied with their work. Therefore, I had to rely heavily on self-learning. Fortunately, numerous tutorials and educational videos are available on YouTube, making it entirely possible to acquire the basics and fundamentals of DJing on your own. To secure gigs here in Austin, I adopted a strategy of stepping out and supporting the businesses I aspired to work with. I would provide support, get a feel for the atmosphere, and enjoy the experience without initially expecting to land a gig. Additionally, being personable, having genuine conversations with the DJs (perhaps not while they were working), and learning about their journeys while asking relevant questions helped me build a strong network of friends I could rely on.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.djkickit.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/djkickit17
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/karlasrendon
- SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/djkickit17
