Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheka Booker.
Sheka, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m a DJ. Music has been a part of my life since birth. Everything I’ve done. Music has been a part of it. I’ve been blessed to be called a trendsetter or an influencer within the music but I just really love spinning and traveling around the globe doing it.
My love for music started at South Oak Cliff High School where I played the trumpet in the marching band. I began to watch music female DJ’s like Dj- Eque, Beverly Bonds, and DJ Spinderella, who I saw live. These female DJs were rocking the crowd for the culture. They were always in my mind and I connected them to music. I thought playing music was over for me when I graduated high school. I had several jobs relating to music, but none where I was performing. The passion for music never stopped. Finally while on a tour as an assistant, I loved my job but I couldn’t stand that my love for music was not at the forefront so I had to do something about it. I have to perform and DJing was how I was going to connect myself to the music in me.
While on tour, I told my friend, mentor, and famous Dallas DJ, Jay Clipp that I wanted to buy some equipment because I wanted to learn how to DJ as a hobby. In 2010, I bought 2 Technique 1200 turntables, a mixer, and two speakers from Craigslist. Excitedly, I asked Jay Clipp and another DJ friend, DJ A1, to come over to my house to help me set up. They wouldn’t come until I set up my own equipment. After days of trying, I was finally set up with sound. That week I learned my first lesson, “learn how to set up your own equipment.” Later they taught me the art of DJing on 1200 Technique Turntables. I was Jay Clipp’s first student before he started Keep Spinning DJ Academy which he later launched in the Dallas metroplex.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My road has been a blessing for me, bumps twists, turns, and all. The struggles made me a better DJ. When I started, I met a lot of promoters that did not trust that a female DJ could rock the party. Promoters, club owners and event planners questioned my skills and didn’t believe in my style. I never wanted to be trendy, I just wanted to spin. Over time I won them over. I play so many genres of music, I can play songs that will make anyone dance or at least bob their head and tap their foot. Whether it’s A Boogie With A Hoodie, Demi Lovato, Blake Shelton or The Bee-Gees my mixes will make you dance. Now those same promoters request me by name all over the country.
I couldn’t have made it on my road without the love of my supporters, and those who fueled me during the hard times. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that I would have made it this far. Lack of knowing the career options was a struggle for me. Growing up in Oak Cliff, we were taught that success came from traditional careers like being doctor and lawyer. As middle and high school students we weren’t really taught the career options and amount of success you could have through music. All the success I have is because of God’s favor, hard work, strong will and my love for the music.
Please tell us about DJ Shekabooker.
It’s easy to say that my business is music and my job is to rock the stage and spin. As a DJ, I take any scene to the next level. My two philosophies are: “DJs should take you on a musical journey that isn’t the same journey you just heard in your car” and “DJs break records and not play the same records.”
I love to take you on a journey showing you the history of music and how it is all connected. That is my style, taking you on a musical experience that vibes with any setting. That journey starts with a good song. It’s all mixing, blending and transitioning songs from one to another to create a smooth journey. I can go from the 1970s to current music that people love, like a music history class. I’ll go from “Redbone” by Childish Gambino to “Footsteps in the Dark” by Isley Brothers to (70s) “Them Changes” by Thundercat. We as a culture, have to pay homage, not taking away from new artists but paying respect to the musicians that came before us. I am trying to bring the art of music back to the beginning of where it all started for everyone.
I’m proud to see people enjoy themselves when I’m spinning feel-good music from every. With over a decade of experience in the entertainment industry, I’ve seen a lot. I know that you can’t have music without fashion. So when I’m not getting the crowd hype, I’m out staying on the latest fashion trends and sharing my ideas. And my fashion style is just like my music: funky, stylish, chic, urban high end with an old school flare.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I’ve had some amazing moments in my career that stand out the most to me because they were times where I feel like I fulfilled childhood dreams. Like rocking under the same roof with incredible artists like Questlove, DJ Dummy, Erykah Badu and Oprah. Big companies like Nike, MAC Cosmetics, Neiman Marcus, and Newport have personally requested me for their events. Every time I rock with my idols, or I am handpicked to spin. I’m honored and humbled. I am that kid from Oak Cliff that had success by doing what I love, music.
If I had to pick one moment, it would be the first time I performed and was on the same bill with DJ Spinderella. I spent my life watching her. Hours before the show, she came up to me and told me that she knew exactly who I was and had been following my career. Then she said she was proud to be on stage with me. She almost made me cry and in the proudest voice I responded, “Nah girl, the honor is mine.” Earning the respect of pioneers of female DJs is a feeling that I will cherish until I die. Now I’m able to call my role models friends and collaborators. Most people aren’t able to make a career of music; I’m so happy and thankful to my God for letting me do so.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bookdjshekabooker.com
- Phone: 972-885-9645
- Email: bookdjshekabooker@gmail.com
- Instagram: bookdjshekabooker
Image Credit:
Daniel Smiley, M*Knight Photography, Harris Marketing & Media Group
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