Interview with Perth's DJ Veeness
As far as female DJs go in Perth, DJ Veeness is an OG. She has her finger in many Hip Hop pies including being the Coordinator of the All City Hop Hop show on RTRFM. We chat to Perth's #1 Queen DJ on her career, humble beginnings and what's in store for 2019.
Hi DJ Veeness, thanks for taking time out for this interview.
You are a staple in the Australian Hip Hop scene, how did you get into hip hop and DJing?
The discovery of Hip Hop music came from a young age. Being born and raised in Perth, there was not much exposure to hard core Hip Hop commercially. In the early 90’s, my older sister was going through a stage of listening to Rap music. She had all the tapes including LL Cool J, 2 Live Crew and NWA and I have fond memories of swimming in our pool with the cassette player blasting Me So Horny. My love for this raw, gangsta style of music began and evolved into a passion.
Once I left school, there was an advert looking for DJ’s with a mobile DJ Company. No experience needed! I applied and got the job. I used to rock weddings, parties and events with two Sony CD Discman’s and an extremely basic two channel mixer and PA Speakers. It was fun, but I wanted to really learn the art of DJ’ing on two turntables and vinyl the proper way. I decided to travel to the birth place of Hip Hop, New York, to learn some skills at the newly opened Scratch DJ Academy. The Scratch Academy connected me with legends in the DJ game, with teachers such as the likes of Mr Sinista from the X-Ecutioners, who on the fly would get behind the turntables and kill it with complex scratches, beat juggling and eccentric moves. The rest is history!
What is your favourite thing about DJing?
My favourite thing about DJ’ing is making people happy and the effect I have by playing the music I love. It is a thrill to start with an empty dancefloor and set a mood, creating a vibe. Then you see the crowd starting to feel the music and express themselves. By the end of it, they are begging for one more song. It is very gratifying to see people enjoying themselves and getting feedback that you have made their night.
You also host RTR’s original Hip Hop show, All City, what is involved in organising and hosting the show?
Yes, I am the Co-Ordinator and Host of the All City Hip Hop Show for 4 years now. I am lucky to have Simon The Warrior as a Co-Presenter and Co-Ordinator and we work together so ensure the smooth running of the show and to provide quality content. I am approached on a regular basis from local and international artists who want to be featured and there is a huge amount of new music which is sent to me. I try, to the best of my ability to listen to as much as I can and then arrange for the artist to come for an interview and showcase their music and talent by live freestyling on air. We have also had producers, dancers and other key people who represent Hip Hop in the studio. I then incorporate this with the latest and greatest in Hip Hop with a section called “Vee’s Vinyl Vault” where we dust of the vinyl and play the classics.
Hi DJ Veeness, thanks for taking time out for this interview.
You are a staple in the Australian Hip Hop scene, how did you get into hip hop and DJing?
The discovery of Hip Hop music came from a young age. Being born and raised in Perth, there was not much exposure to hard core Hip Hop commercially. In the early 90’s, my older sister was going through a stage of listening to Rap music. She had all the tapes including LL Cool J, 2 Live Crew and NWA and I have fond memories of swimming in our pool with the cassette player blasting Me So Horny. My love for this raw, gangsta style of music began and evolved into a passion.
Once I left school, there was an advert looking for DJ’s with a mobile DJ Company. No experience needed! I applied and got the job. I used to rock weddings, parties and events with two Sony CD Discman’s and an extremely basic two channel mixer and PA Speakers. It was fun, but I wanted to really learn the art of DJ’ing on two turntables and vinyl the proper way. I decided to travel to the birth place of Hip Hop, New York, to learn some skills at the newly opened Scratch DJ Academy. The Scratch Academy connected me with legends in the DJ game, with teachers such as the likes of Mr Sinista from the X-Ecutioners, who on the fly would get behind the turntables and kill it with complex scratches, beat juggling and eccentric moves. The rest is history!
What is your favourite thing about DJing?
My favourite thing about DJ’ing is making people happy and the effect I have by playing the music I love. It is a thrill to start with an empty dancefloor and set a mood, creating a vibe. Then you see the crowd starting to feel the music and express themselves. By the end of it, they are begging for one more song. It is very gratifying to see people enjoying themselves and getting feedback that you have made their night.
You also host RTR’s original Hip Hop show, All City, what is involved in organising and hosting the show?
Yes, I am the Co-Ordinator and Host of the All City Hip Hop Show for 4 years now. I am lucky to have Simon The Warrior as a Co-Presenter and Co-Ordinator and we work together so ensure the smooth running of the show and to provide quality content. I am approached on a regular basis from local and international artists who want to be featured and there is a huge amount of new music which is sent to me. I try, to the best of my ability to listen to as much as I can and then arrange for the artist to come for an interview and showcase their music and talent by live freestyling on air. We have also had producers, dancers and other key people who represent Hip Hop in the studio. I then incorporate this with the latest and greatest in Hip Hop with a section called “Vee’s Vinyl Vault” where we dust of the vinyl and play the classics.
You have had a lengthy career, what is some of your career highlights?
One of the major highlights was being the first DJ in the world to play on a Hydrogen powered turntable and controller DJ Setup in collaboration with Woodside Energy and The West Australian Government. A 12-year dream and goal of being the first Australian DJ to play on the road at Trinidad Carnival and on the Main Stage representing Australia at the Hollywood Carnival 2017 and 2018 were pivotal moments. Interviewing Hip Hop royalty on the Red Carpet at the BET Awards 2017 and 2018 was surreal. These were the artists that I knew every word to their songs. Being resident DJ at the only six star establishments in Perth, TWR, Crown Towers is a highlight that is still a reality every Saturday. I won the Reggae Club DJ Competition after 2 months of heated competition with local DJ’s, which gave me the platform for people to notice my skills. Also being a judge for the West Australian Music Awards for the past 3 years in the categories of Urban, Indigenous and World Music has been an honour. There are so many more I could mention, I have really been blessed with where this profession has taken me and what I have managed to achieve without a manager.
2018 is coming to a close, what have you been in involved with this year?
This year has been one of the biggest years career wise. I have done two US and Caribbean trips playing numerous events in Hollywood, Las Vegas and New York. While in Perth I was Kevin Lyttle’s DJ and provided the entertainment at the Backstage VIP Party for Katy Perry at Perth Arena. I played numerous events at Optus stadium, Perth Convention Centre and other venues around Perth and was flown to Christmas Island to perform at the 60th Anniversary Gala Ball with the Governor General of Australia in attendance. The Australian Lifesaving Championships at Scarborough Beach was awesome as I got to DJ on the back of a Ute! I have done Countless interviews, events and parties; I guess you will have to do some Instagram stalking to find out more!
What do you have planned for the New Year 2019?
I am getting married to my love of 10 years! Music wise, I will continue to proudly represent the All City Hip Hop Show and my residency at Crown. There are some exciting projects coming up, which I will keep under wraps for now. That’s how it goes with me, full stealth until you see it on social media or hear it through the grapevine!
Stay up to date on all things DJ Veeness by following her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter!
Or listen to DJ Veeness every Friday 11pm - 1am on RTR's All City Hip Hop show.
One of the major highlights was being the first DJ in the world to play on a Hydrogen powered turntable and controller DJ Setup in collaboration with Woodside Energy and The West Australian Government. A 12-year dream and goal of being the first Australian DJ to play on the road at Trinidad Carnival and on the Main Stage representing Australia at the Hollywood Carnival 2017 and 2018 were pivotal moments. Interviewing Hip Hop royalty on the Red Carpet at the BET Awards 2017 and 2018 was surreal. These were the artists that I knew every word to their songs. Being resident DJ at the only six star establishments in Perth, TWR, Crown Towers is a highlight that is still a reality every Saturday. I won the Reggae Club DJ Competition after 2 months of heated competition with local DJ’s, which gave me the platform for people to notice my skills. Also being a judge for the West Australian Music Awards for the past 3 years in the categories of Urban, Indigenous and World Music has been an honour. There are so many more I could mention, I have really been blessed with where this profession has taken me and what I have managed to achieve without a manager.
2018 is coming to a close, what have you been in involved with this year?
This year has been one of the biggest years career wise. I have done two US and Caribbean trips playing numerous events in Hollywood, Las Vegas and New York. While in Perth I was Kevin Lyttle’s DJ and provided the entertainment at the Backstage VIP Party for Katy Perry at Perth Arena. I played numerous events at Optus stadium, Perth Convention Centre and other venues around Perth and was flown to Christmas Island to perform at the 60th Anniversary Gala Ball with the Governor General of Australia in attendance. The Australian Lifesaving Championships at Scarborough Beach was awesome as I got to DJ on the back of a Ute! I have done Countless interviews, events and parties; I guess you will have to do some Instagram stalking to find out more!
What do you have planned for the New Year 2019?
I am getting married to my love of 10 years! Music wise, I will continue to proudly represent the All City Hip Hop Show and my residency at Crown. There are some exciting projects coming up, which I will keep under wraps for now. That’s how it goes with me, full stealth until you see it on social media or hear it through the grapevine!
Stay up to date on all things DJ Veeness by following her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter!
Or listen to DJ Veeness every Friday 11pm - 1am on RTR's All City Hip Hop show.