Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Shalé.
Jay, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My pre-DJ life story is pretty hectic and detailed so I’m just going to jump into how I got into DJing! After graduating from Texas Southern University in May of 2015, I moved to Indianapolis having accepted a job with pharma giant Eli Lilly & Company. I am a vocalist and assumed that I could work a full-time corporate job AND work on music at the same time, but that wasn’t the case! It was a tough decision, but I left the company after ten months to chase my musical dreams. I befriended some people at the radio station, and asked how I’d be able to get my music spun once I felt that I had radio-ready records, and I was advised to get my music in the hands of the DJs first, so once it starts circulating around the city, people can request for it to play on the radio. I’m a HUGE homebody, so if getting out to the clubs to befriend the DJs is what it took to get my music played, I was willing to do that!
After a couple weeks of just watching, I thought to myself “I can do this too! It doesn’t look that difficult.” I have been a musician since the age of six, playing various instruments, so the transition to become a DJ didn’t seem that foreign, being that I understand music. I had purchased a small controller and learned the basics about Serato and the actual controller on YouTube.
I am a self-taught DJ (although I’d love to take lessons) having started in February of 2017 and have since been a resident DJ at three of the hottest Indianapolis clubs and have spun for celebrities such as rapper Trina, Black Ink Crew: Chicago tattoo artist Ryan Henry, and the reggae band Common Kings, just to name a few. In July 2017, I spun at the “400 Fest at the Brickyard” that featured DJs such as Major Lazor and the Chainsmokers. I have had popular Nashville clubs jumping with guest hosts like Jilly Anais and Nikki Mudarris, with Houston, TX, Huntsville, AL, Detroit, MI, Chicago, IL, Montgomery AL, Brooklyn, NY, and Los Angeles, CA being just a few other cities I’ve brought the vibes to. In addition to that, I’ve been on the big stage, having spun during the Colts vs. Titans game over the 2017 Thanksgiving weekend and in Wild ‘N Out’s Season 12 and 13 Green Room.
I moved to Atlanta, GA in April of 2018, where I’ve been expanding my entertainment influence DJing at several Atlanta clubs, such as Gold Room, Empire, Medusa, Josephine’s, and Oak, just to name a few. I had the opportunity to DJ for the LARGEST Falcons game against Saints, performing in front of a packed Mercedez-Benz Stadium of 72,000+ fans! I’ve also since also DJed for celebrities Cardi B, Gucci Mane, and Lil Baby while they were hosting in several Atlanta clubs over SuperBowl weekend. I’ve gone viral on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for my spunky and fun “less than 5 minutes” DJ throwback mixes, landing millions of hits across the social platforms. I’ve accomplished a lot in a short amount of time that I am very proud of myself for. 2019 will be a huge year.
Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all! Besides the fact that starting out, financially I was struggling for a while, it’s always a bit difficult breaking into a male-dominated industry/field. As women, I feel that we always have to work extra hard to even be given the OPPORTUNITY to showcase our talents in this field, especially DJing. Typically, men find it hard to believe that women can create a vibe and carry a party for hours, which is not true at all. I engage with party-goers while I DJ, hyping the crowd up on the mic while having a great time. The stigma for women in this industry is that, in order for us to receive huge opportunities, we have to compromise our morals and I’m sad to say that I’ve been pitched some great opportunities in exchange for some wild requests. It’s extremely degrading and the lack of respect we are given at times is really disappointing.
My advice for young women starting their journey is to STAY TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE. Anything that’s meant for you, you will have, WITHOUT needing to compromise yourself, your body, and your morals. It may take longer, but anything worth having won’t come easy. There will be times where you feel down, are doubtful, and lack confidence, especially when you feel you’ve been idle for a little while, but understand that you have to keep pushing, keep working, and remain innovative and creative. Don’t look around at what other people are doing because that’s the easiest way to get off track and lose yourself in the hype. Uplift each other, support each other, and build together. There’s enough money in this world and enough opportunity for everyone to win.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a vocalist and DJ, as well as an all-around entertainer. I’m most known for my DJing, as I’ve been very selective with what music of mine I am releasing. I am super excited to say, though, that my most recent record titled “Fool” not only has amassed almost 50k streams across platforms in less than a month, but it is also the first record I released that I produced myself as well.
Since I’ve identified my purpose, I’ve wanted nothing but to impact the world with music, whether it is my own, or through DJing. I feel that this is what sets me apart from others. Music is a universal language to me and if I know that I am able to change people’s lives and moods doing what I enjoy then that’s when I’m at my happiest. I feel that we are placed on this earth to serve and God has blessed me with a specific set of talents that I am supposed to use to impact others and I would be doing Him a disservice if I did not fulfill the plans He has for me.
I am most proud of the daily messages I get from people all across the world that send me encouraging words or let me know that I’ve influenced their daughters to want to DJ or let me know how my mixes have positively impacted their day. Whether it’s one message or ten messages, I know that I am impacting people and that’s all I want to do.
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
The lack of confidence in men who are in powerful positions, willing to invest and trust in our abilities, with no ulterior motives. I feel that now more than ever, women have stuck together to support one another and build with one another, but when a man can have the ability to shut something down without even giving a proper opportunity, or feeling that their position is threatened, it becomes a lot more difficult for us.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jayshale.com
- Email: everythingjayshale@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jay_shale
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jayshaleofficial
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/jayshale
- Other: www.youtube.com/jayshale
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