These deck vixens have played at EDM parties, house music raves, and even at music festivals like ZoukOut and Laneway Singapore. We pick the cream of the crop
A quick glimpse into the EDM charts (and even within the underground circuit) will easily expose the flaw that the dance industry is a notoriously XY-dominated one. Which is why we’re proud to say that this isn’t a problem that’s plaguing our local scene. Female DJs can be found in just about every rave you stumble into, rolling out tunes that are, perhaps, even deadlier than the dudes. From hip-hop lasses and house honchos, to jungle gurus and EDM sirens – these are our fave local female DJs in Singapore that are raising our fists with a “hella yes”. Girl power FTW!
A/K/A
Queen bee of all-girl music and art collective, ATTAGIRL!, Amanda (AKA err… A/K/A) is the heart behind one of the most cutting-edge outfits in the dance industry. Feisty in both attitude and hairdo, Amanda is just as spry on the decks with urban-focused beats encompassing hip-hop and bass music (grime, anyone?). She even used to be the explosive frontwoman of riot grrrl band, NO PANTZ – killing it on the dancefloor, and the mic.
You can spot A/K/A at ATTAGIRL! Nights at Wine Bar, Zouk. Listen to her tunes here.
CATS ON CRACK
On one hand, this feline will admit to having a soft spot for Pusheen (read more in our pre-ZoukOut interview here). But when it comes to serious biz, CATS ON CRACK is one conductor who’s orchestrated some of the most exciting parties in the scene thus far. From mystery buses en route to secret locations, to seedy rooftop raves that last ’til daybreak, COC never fails in throwing curveball gigs – oft rampant with house, tech-house and techno.
You can spot CATS ON CRACK at her parties for The Council. Listen to her tunes here.
Rah
You might’ve seen her spin hip-hop, reggae and jungle at prolific gigs like the Laneway Festival and It’s The Ship. And if you were fortunate enough to do so, then you’ll understand why she’s on our list! Playful and well-paced, Rah’s sets also tend to explore the sensual sides of soul and Afrobeat, making her savvy for both warehouse gigs and beach bashes. Not to mention, she’s also the First Lady of globally-recognised local label, Darker Than Wax.
You can spot Rah at Darker Than Wax parties. Listen to her tunes here.
Jaydah
Not only is this duchess of bass one-third of ATTAGIRL!, but she’s also a key player in left-field local label, Phyla – an imprint that’s honed acts like Fauxe and FZPZ. Her forte lies in low-end, hard-hitting rhythms; swift, thumping beats like whack-a-mole on Gatling-mode. From Chicago footwork to UK drum & bass, anything that makes the subwoofers rumble can be found in her arsenal of goodies.
You can spot Jaydah at ATTAGIRL! Nights at Wine Bar, Zouk. Listen to her tunes here.
Debbie Chia
Where do we begin with someone as revered as Debbie? Not only did this techno trooper co-found the FFF Girl DJ Bootcamp that kick-started the careers of several ladies on this list, Debbie is also an alumnus of the acclaimed Red Bull Music Academy. Debbie’s even the co-owner of local label, Midnight Shift, and she’s dropped techy tunes everywhere from Seoul to Berlin – the latter as one-half of Lily’s Rose. A bona fide scene doyenne, this one!
You can spot Debbie Chia at Midnight Shift parties. Listen to her tunes here.
Prema
The newest but perhaps buzziest name on our list, Prema is one nascent whizkid who’s already made strides in spots like Zouk and Blu Jaz Café. Aside from dropping indie-dance gems as one-part of the Heart Of Glass collective, Prema also possesses a grittier side a la grime, juke and jungle. Keep your eyes (and ears) out for this one!
Listen to Prema’s tunes here.
DuriO
Arguably the most ‘glammed-up’ amongst her ATTAGIRL! sisters, DuriO churns out grooves that are the most upbeat of the trio. Unlike A/K/A and Jaydah who lean towards more off-kilter rhythms, DuriO sticks to four-on-the-floor grooves and faster tempos, busting out more danceable cuts of UK garage and now-trending ‘bass house’. In our opinion, she’s ATTAGIRL!’s secret weapon when it comes to getting any rave turnt.
You can spot DuriO at ATTAGIRL! Nights at Wine Bar, Zouk. Listen to her tunes here.
Jean Reiki
A veteran who’s been pushing girl power on the decks for over a decade, Reiki’s sound is constantly evolving, always making her a fresh listen whether you’re a seasoned punter or a rave newbie. We’ve witnessed this fashionable vixen drop everything from bass-wubby dubstep to tropical, Rasta-flavoured reggae; yet her original productions (one of the few DJs in Singapore who creates her own music) stand out for their genre-nullifying originality. Listen to her new Whimsy EP when you can – it’s a real head-trip!
Listen to Jean Reiki’s tunes here.
EJ Missy
Another familiar face in the circuit, EJ not only handles marketing for kyō (one of our fave clubs in SG), but she also helms its decks as resident DJ. When she’s not opening for the international likes of Rødhåd and Paul Woolford, EJ runs her MODAL nights on Wednesdays, where she shines the spotlight on both upcoming and veteran DJs. She’s even spun house and techno marathons that last for six hours – such endurance!
You can spot EJ Missy at her MODAL nights at kyō. Listen to her tunes here.
Ginette Chittick
Hipsters of the noughties will always regard this dynamite gal as one of the torchbearers behind Home Club’s (now Canvas) Beat! nights – a playground of indie anthems and Brit-pop classics. Adroit in song selection and packin’ some frenetic dance movies (kids used to regard her as SG’s answer to Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Karen O), Chittick always gets the masses psyched up wherever she goes. After a brief hiatus due to Mommy duties, she’s now back on the decks spinning indie at Canvas’ Daydream Nation. Talk about full circle!
You can spot Ginette Chittick at Daydream Nation at Canvas.
Casie Lane
By day, Casie’s a gymnastic teacher for kids; but at night, she gets everyone flipping and somersaulting on the floor with housey picks. An ex-resident DJ at CÉ LA VI and having played gigs at Loof and Tanjong Beach Club, Casie’s one deckster you can count on for a rollin’ good time (you can take that literally). She’s also one-half of Parental Control with SWTLKR, delving in more downtempo and techier elements.
Listen to Casie Lane’s tunes here.
TINC
One of the most popular deck sirens in the open-format scene, TINC even had a major appearance on national television for 2015’s NYE countdown show. She’s ace at what she does, pumping out massive EDM anthems and mixing it with a dirty dose of trap. If you’ve ever caught her at one of her eponymous TINCnation nights, you’ll also know that she’s quite the havoc-rousing show-woman, frequently leaping into ravers for riotous crowdsurfing antics.
You can spot TINC at Trace. Listen to her tunes here.
Feel like a badass chick yourself when you plug into our Rocker Chicks playlist on our Honeycombers Spotify profile.