DJ Dezie Rises To The Top Of Las Vegas
She’s sexy, talented, sweet and charitable. She’s working her way to the top both literally and figuratively. DJ Dezie, originally from Washington State and the Portland area, made her way to Vegas in 2002 in a rather unique way. She has been voted a top 100 female DJs as well as one of the hottest DJs in town. With her contagious laugh and sparkly personality, DJ Dezie breaks it down for Galavantier at Level 107 Lounge at the top of the Stratosphere, where she’s currently spinning four nights a week.
Galavantier (G): How long have you been a DJ in Las Vegas?
DJ Dezie (DD): I started my first residency in 2006 at Hooters. I started getting in the industry in 2005 – working in sound. Before that I was a go-go dancer, so I’ve been around music the whole time.
G: You went to college for something completely different?
DD: I graduated in feminist theory, sociology, anthropology and communication specializing in arts and sciences.
G: How did you get into DJing?
DD: When I was in college I used to want to be a DJ. Once I started go-go dancing I would hear things in my head that I thought were supposed to go together. This is when mashups first started coming out. I started practicing one night at 8 p.m. and my first shift was at 4 p.m. the next day. So less then 24 hours when I it was the first time I touched a turntable was my first shift.
G: What do you love about DJing?
DD: I feel it. I know my music; I know how to mix my beats. I’m lucky because I always want to progress. I know there’s a long way for me to go, but I definitely have more of a gift than I would have known or expected.
G: Tell me where you’ve DJed in town?
DD: Moorea Beach, House of Blues, Level107 Lounge, The Fight Shop, Taboo, Kitty Bar, Déjà vu – those are probably my favorite. If I had to think of a casino I didn’t play it, it would be harder to think about (she jokes).
G: What was your fondest DJ residency to date?
DD: I loved being a resident at Moorea Beach – the topless pool at Mandalay Bay. There was a full format so I could play any type of music, any genre – explicit or not. And it’s a topless pool, and I’m gay, so I thought it was amazing to go there everyday and work. I went back for two different years and I loved it.
G: What is it like being a female DJ in Vegas?
DD: No one expects you to be good, so when they see I’m good then they are more impressed. I like when people say they didn’t even know it was a girl DJing. I shouldn’t even have to hear that, but I like it.
G: You didn’t come to Vegas at first for DJing, what brought you here?
DD: I actually got a modeling contract. I was here on a visit and they [modeling agency] saw me at a gas station; they offered me a modeling contract to come here for convention season.
G: You’re also involved in local charities Autism Speaks and It Ain't Chemo.
DD: My son Phoenix is autistic, he’s 6, and then I have my daughter Aurora, she’s 4. I’m on the board of directors for It Ain’t Chemo, it’s a cancer-driven charity. What I end up doing most often is organizing drives for kids or meals for kids when basically a mom can’t cook for her kids anymore. I also run the walk for the Autism Speaks walk here in Vegas; it’s a yearly event.
G: What separates you from other talents in town?
DD: I’m an outspoken gay mom, I’m tattooed, I do community outreach – I’m lucky because there’s not another one like me. I’m genuine, and I thank people for coming by. People appreciate that and they appreciate the realness.
