After 30 years of spinning records and making hits with the legendary group Salt–N-Pepa, DJ Spinderella is enjoying her new found freedom and is ready to create a brand of her own. Her departure from the group was announced via Instagram and brought sadness to many celebrities and fans. When you think of Salt–N-Pepa you see them as a trio and not a duo. But life after Salt–N-Pepa is looking promising for the Brooklyn native.
Rolling out recently sat down with DJ Spinderella to discuss what is next for the legendary DJ.
How did you come up with your name?
The name was given to me by Hurby who was Salt–N-Pepa’s creator and visionary. He had the idea of doing a female version of Run DMC. There was an original Spinderella apparently [who] they did not work, so when I joined, the name was given to me.
Name five songs every great DJ should have in their playlist.
Oh my God, that is a hard one because I go into so many different places. I mean there is always the classics. You can never go wrong with the classics. Well in hip-hop, of course, you got “Hip-Hop Hooray,” “It Takes Two” by Rob Base, and “Push It” is always a classic. [Also] anything with Missy on it because I love Missy.
We have DJ Khaled and his artists. When are we going to have DJ Spinderella and her artists?
You are not the first person to say that. Well, with my newfound freedom I probably will venture off into those types of things. The fact [is] that I am going to be working with some DJs … I am working on a tour. I have my Spinderella DJ academy that has been on ice for a while, but now I am paying more attention to it, and we have a date starting the end of June. We are hitting some cities like Chicago, L.A., New York and Miami, just to name a few.
What advice would you give to younger DJs?
Everyone has their own style. Bring who you are to those decks. Be 100 percent you, and don’t try to be someone else. You are better off being yourself instead of mimicking someone else.
How does it feel to carry the name “The Legendary DJ Spinderella”?
I pinch myself sometimes. I am totally blessed. When God gives you something, you just be like “wow.” It has its ups and downs in the industry, you know? It is what it is. A lot of personal things may come into it.
What is next for Spinderella?
The world is my oyster right now. I am working on a few things. The DJ academy is my main focus, putting that tour together for those who want to learn how to deejay and also empowering young women. That is forever going to be my task.
