Hey Ms DJ

The world famous DJ Shortee - real name Shannon - hosted a DJing clinic at the SAE Institute Dubai. Rania Moussly caught up with the 'Queen of the Scratch World' from California.

Why did you become a DJ?
I started playing percussion aged seven and was in a punk rock band during college. I wasn't interested in DJing until I met DJ Faust and saw him scratching and was completely amazed. He offered to teach me and now we are married. That was 15 years ago.

What kind of music do you love?
I love all music and play different styles. I play hip hop, drum 'n bass, rock, funk, soul, house, techno, breaks and all the sub-genres within those. I also love jazz, jam bands and heavy metal.

What is the hardest part of your job?
Having the patience to practice. Mixing is one thing but once you get into scratching and beat juggling, it's those tricks that require practice. You need to keep your skills warm, you lose it if you don't practice. You've got to be willing to be alone and just practice.

What's the best part of your job?
The feedback you get from the crowd. The live setting and energy you get by taking people out of their element into a whole other realm. Making them forget all their cares and their worries of the day and sending them to a party place.

What advice would you give to amateur and aspiring DJs?
Practice. You can't be good at anything unless you practice. Also, play the music you love. Don't play what you think people want to hear. Go online and watch other DJs. See what they're doing, listen to their mixes. When you look for music, really look and mix or scratch a little different. Put yourself into it and that'll make you more original. It'll become an addiction, you'll just want it.

What makes a good DJ?
A good DJ rocks the party and is able to feel out the crowd and keep them dancing but also injects their own originality into it.

Are you playing in Dubai?
No, but I'll be back.

To check out Shortee in action visit www.gulfnews.com/gntv or visit her her MySpace page on www.myspace.com/djshortee