Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawny.
Shawny, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I began Djing when I was in college. I attended Florida A&M University where I first became a personality for the school’s radio station. I started off with my own show called The Late-Night Library every Sunday from 10p-1a. I later also became the co-host to a personality/DJ named Y.Dot every Wednesday and Friday from 5pm-7pm. I would watch him DJ and I thought… “I can do that!” So, I downloaded the program I saw him using and practiced. Eventually I started DJing on my show and people liked it! It led to bookings in the city and I started saving my money to buy real equipment,
After graduation, I stayed on-air for one semester until they began to hire new personalities and they saw I was no longer an enrolled student. I was terminated immediately. I called my mother who was already living in Atlanta and told her I’ll be there in two weeks. I then purchased my own powered speakers and posted ads on Craigslist in Atlanta and I booked three gigs. I later applied to intern for Hip Hop station Streetz 94.5 and I got the position in 2015.
Fast forwarding, between interning at Streetz, I was already Djing corporate events for brands like Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Nordstrom and BMW to name a few. I was also a part of a company that specialized in Bar and Bat Mitzvah’s. I was also DJing at Josephine Lounge every Friday night After two years of consistency and dedication, I became a radio mixer for Streetz. A live broadcast at Josephine Lounge was my first radio gig. I was so nervous! (lol)
I aspire to travel. I want to become a tour DJ and DJ for festivals, concerts. Long term, I’d love to work in radio. Similarly, to DJ Envy. A syndicated show with a great team for balance… and I’m still doing everything I love.
Has it been a smooth road?
No way! People trying to lowball you. Promotors will try you because you’re good looking or just because you’re a woman in general. My advice would be to remain focused and don’t fall into the trap because if you really want it, you’ll work hard for it.
As a young woman, stay focused. If you really want to pursue radio or DJing, be mentally prepared. Radio won’t be easy and DJing is an expensive hobby so if you’re serious put your best foot forward and go for its full throttle.
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into ShawnyTaughtU story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a Disc Jokey. I specialize in mixing. That was something I wanted to be really good at— blending records together. Most people start off trying to scratch but I really took my time with my blends and an old DJ pal of mine gave me the name “TheeMixxKween.” I loved it and made it a part of my brand.
So, my name is ShawnyTaughtU. People always ask “How’d I get that name?”
To be honest, when I became a personality for WAMN 90.5 in school, I wanted my name to be DJ Dimples, but DJ Dimples already exists. my Twitter handle was @ShawnyTaughtU, which I got from Kanye West… Yeezy taught me so my first night on air, when I opened up the mic… I called myself ShawnyTaughtU and that became my name.
My “WhoTaughtUDat” catch phrase came later on. One day someone asked me “Who taught you?” and I thought it was perfect! WhoTaughtUDat definitely started to spread and now people always remember me from that DJ drop.
I’m extremely proud to say that I am a full-time DJ. I work 100% for myself and that’s a blessing. I moved to Atlanta in 2015 and I’ve accomplished so much.
What sets me apart? I am not playing no games! lol, there are only four female DJs who hold consistent radio slots currently and at one point, I was the only female DJ in Atlanta who was consistently mixing live for radio. I was also the first female DJ of my station. That’s big!
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
Absolutely! I’ve always been into music. I used to be a rapper. I used to lock myself in my room and write rhymes to Lil Wayne beats and eventually I got a producer to start making me beats. I had an uncle named Dean who passed away when I was a baby and he was a rapper. He was heavily invested in it. My grandmother would always tell me I have music in my bones and I took these genes from him. I believe I took those long-lost rap skills and transformed it into Djing.
Contact Info:
- Website: shawnytaughtu.com
- Email: shawnytaughtu@gmail.com
- Instagram: @ShawnyTaughtU
- Twitter: @ShawnyTaughtU
- Other: https://soundcloud.com/shawny-taughtu
Image Credit:
The Event Snappers
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