A Quick Chat With This Week’s Top Pick for Woman Crush Everyday, Tiny Dee
12 Questions is a weekly interview series that celebrates Africa-based female professionals who work in the music, media and entertainment industry. The multi-layered presentation is intended to inspire a bright new generation of young ladies to carve their own paths and overcome common challenges while learning about a few personal experiences from some (notable) professionals in the creative industry.
This week, we had an in-depth conversation with South African events organizer and disc jockey, Tiny Dee.
Tell us about your journey & how you began with music.
My journey started in 2017 while I was working at a high-end nightlife destination in the Vaal Region, known as “Eleven Cigar Lounge”, that is basically when I got the exposure to CDJ’s. Truly speaking, I enjoy each and every moment when I’m behind the decks.
Is there an interesting story behind your name?
For sure! The way I was so “tiny” when I started this journey and people couldn’t believe I would go for such a hobby. That’s when I started creating this “Tiny Dee” name. I essentially wanted to prove them wrong cause in Jesus name everything is possible. So the “Tiny” part comes from how I looked and the “Dee” part comes from my name “Dimpho”.
What does music mean, to you?
House music means a lot to me because eventually it is all the bases we need in a song – eg, soul music singing & piano, sometimes with elements of rap and up-tempo style. It knows how to speak to your soul and I have seen many people getting healed from the sets I play live.
The biggest challenge faced by women in the creative industry?
I would personally say that getting good paying gigs and having to return the favour. This industry needs discipline and you should know what you want. It’s really sad when you see all the gigs are full of male deejays while there are so many talented female deejays out there. Albeit, things have changed because male deejays do not ignore us anymore.
Related Read : A Quick Chat With This Week’s Top Pick for Woman Crush Everyday, Holly Rey
The biggest reward?
I have not received my biggest reward, but I am happy with the way things are turning up with my mixtapes – which are flowing around the biggest radio stations like Metro FM, Lesedi FM, Theta FM, and Sedibeng FM. Clearly something big is coming.
Top 4 social media dos and don’ts for fellow professionals?
- DO’s
- Always market your brand in a good manner.
- Always respect your fans.
- Treat everyone equal.
- DON’T‘s
- Personal life must not be over social media.
- We are allowed to have fun but remember you are at work, so act professionally at all times.
- Never end up getting bad pictures and get yourself trading with bad vibes.
What would you say makes your personal brand unique?
I would say it is the style of music I play and how I play it, as well as my style of fashion sense. I also like to dance while I’m playing just for entertainment because I believe that (when you are behind the decks) fans should understand your vibe and forget about all the problems they have.
Can you pick 3 women that you admire in the industry? Why?
- Lamiez. She plays my type of music and she gives the crowd the best vibe ever. She is also always on point and I love her fashion sense too.
- DJ Zintle. She’s not just a female disc jockey but family women who takes good care of her family while balancing her role as a businesswoman too
- Judy Jay. She is the youngest female deejay that knows what she wants and best song selector.
What can we expect from you in the near future?
“Queen of Vaal” that has her own companies and right now I am pushing my cleaning detergents while finishing up my degree of electrical engineering at the same time.
Any advice for ladies looking to follow in your footsteps?
Discipline is the key. Stay humble and love your fans even though there are difficult ones but just stay humble and put God first.
