We recently connected with KC Mackey and have shared our conversation below.
KC, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
The Uhuru Movement asked me to come here and organize support for the Black Power Blueprint, its economic initiative led by the Deputy Chair, going on nearly 7 years strong now. It was a risk to move here, not knowing more than a few people or where I would live permanently or what I would do to sustain myself. But I knew I could figure it out, because I wasn’t alone. I was with an organization and had the support of my family. The mission of the Black Power Blueprint to build black political and economic power in the Northside, and end the horrible disparities in St. Louis is known as the Delmar Divide. It was a risk I was honored to take.
I got here with the help of my dad and started learning the city, meeting people. I hosted events at the library, passed out fliers, even became a drag king for a bit- all of this to meet and organize white people to donate and volunteer for the Black Power Blueprint. Getting to do this, I’ve gotten the honor to be part of carrying on the work of a movement that’s been fighting for Black Liberation since 1972, and organizing white people for reparations since 1976. It’s so clear that as white people we have to take responsibility for colonialism and the origins of America in slavery and genocide. It’s not easy to stand on the right side of history, but it’s extremely rewarding when you see how many people are standing with you.
A little backstory: In the summer of 2016, Philando Castile and Alton Sterling were both murdered by the United States police, and mass protests broke out across the US. I was living in Boston at the time, DJing and waiting tables at a vegetarian diner, and volunteering with different groups fighting prisons, police, ICE, etc. I was introduced to the Uhuru Movement by my coworker, and the more I learned and participated, the more hope I felt, knowing that the Black Revolution of the 60s was alive! I soon became an active organizer in the solidarity organization.
It was a risk to put myself out there in support of reparations and Black Power by any means necessary. But I never stopped doing what I loved. I kept throwing fundravers- raves that are fundraisers- for the Uhuru Movement. I’ve learned a lot from every attempt. It’s been a while, but I’m planning on some benefit shows in 2024!
I lost a few friends and opportunities when I joined USM- but when you think about it, you don’t lose anything when you stay true to yourself. In fact, by staying a proud USM member, I gained the opportunity to move to St. Louis; I gained event planning and public speaking skills; I gained comrades who I love; and I gained incredible knowledge, learning from leaders like Chairman Omali Yeshitela- who is now facing prison time alongside two other leaders, Penny Hess and Jesse Nevel, simply for exposing U.S. war crimes. The movement was attacked by the FBI here in St. Louis and now faces these bogus charges and I wanted to use this platform to encourage people to learn more about this at handsoffuhuru.org.
In taking the risk to move to St. Louis, I ultimately met the most incredible group of people who are now my closest friends, who I feel I was destined to meet. I’ve gained skills with social media marketing, got back into martial arts and got into farming, and I’m now pursuing teaching in both of those areas. I got back into DJing and have gotten incredible bookings and residencies thanks to the bitchin’ music community here. I’m forever grateful to be part of the Uhuru movement fighting colonialism, and now I’m following my long-time dreams to work with kids, get my black belt, and learn how to farm. I feel like I am living out my values, and it’s thanks to the risks I was willing to take, and the skills and knowledge imparted to me.
In short… There is nothing to lose in taking risks and everything to gain.
KC, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
In addition to my activism and core beliefs, one of the most important things to me in this world is music. I love the way it brings us together and makes us come alive; I love the way it helps us through difficult times.. I love how it can make time both fly and slow down.
I’m a DJ because I want to create moments for people with music. My first concert was KC and the Sunshine Band. I was 7 years old, and I’ll never forget the joy I felt from grooving to the beat in sync with other people.
I started DJing in 2014 in Boston – so nearly 10 years now, on and off but definitely ON in the last 4 years in St. Louis when I have been leveling up my skills, musical knowledge, and collaborations with other DJs and artists I admire. I got really into it when starting off Boston, mentored under the talented L’duke fka Leah McFly, and got incredible opportunities, including going on tour with my producer roommate Woody, primarily playing house and techno vinyl.. yes I lugged my turntables, and crates of records on tour. I got a lot of experience from that, and I felt like a natural alongside my talented friends.
When I first moved to St. Louis, I took a hiatus from it – I was very focused on the Black Power Blueprint and wanted to do a good job with the task at hand and my mind was really just on that.
But in these past 4 years, I re-found my love of it and realized it’s something I can never stop doing. It’s something I can combine with building support for liberation struggles- That’s always gonna be my specialty. I love planning music events and working on a team for a cause. I wouldn’t trade my life experience for anything in the world because it’s how I’ve gained so much knowledge about DJing and event production.
The best feeling ever is when people have come up to me after my sets and tell me they experienced that feeling of being one with the music. I always tell them that’s the number one reason I do this. I know I have a knack for it because people tell me straight up how much they enjoy the music I select and the way I mix it. I have a residency with Mark Lewis every third Friday at Tim’s Chrome Bar, and we play funky house and disco vinyl. Someone in the crowd once came up to me and told me I was a Real Disco Jockey. It’s because I was slangin that disco vinyl like there was no tomorrow. And I just want to say it’s the top St. Louis DJs that have inspired me to level up my game- there are a lot of y’all, and you have enormous talent.
I’ve branched out and learned how to do weddings and private events in the last 4 years. Whether it’s the club where the people love House; a listening lounge suited by old school soul and jazz; a surprise bday party for a boyfriend who loves the 90s; or a work holiday party. I seriously have one of the best jobs. I’ve been so blessed that others see my talent and versatility and keep me booked nearly every weekend for the last 5 months or so. I think a large part of that is seeing the impact of years of hard work behind the scenes… that invisible, steady, constant work we artists do of practicing over and over, making it a lifestyle- for me, it’s been learning on vinyl, listening to the same songs over and over, practicing the timing of a transition a million times, collecting and organizing all the music, digging for remixes, supporting other DJs, listening to their mixes, watching old music videos, going to the clubs, tipping the bartenders, dancing up a storm, studying the DJ like a student, genuinely loving music and people- all of that and more have been major factors in my success.
In the past 3 years, I have been able to save up from my DJ gigs to improve my gear and get my own sound system and mic, opening up the opportunities for weddings and private events. I have been taking scratching lessons with DJ Chris Brown, and have been taking advantage of my new Serato vinyl setup and Serato Stems, and exploring the more creative side of the craft. I am looking forward to continuing to level up as a professional in this field and uphold my reputation as someone who is wonderful to work with :)
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Right now, I’m learning how to scratch. I have deep respect for Disc Jockeys with advanced skills- the turntablists who are real musicians with it. I don’t think you have to know how to scratch or know how to mix vinyl to be a dope DJ, but I do think it helps a lot, and it’s important to understand the origins of DJing and give credit and respect where it’s due. I love playing vinyl, and learned to beat-match with vinyl, so I know I can learn scratching and beat juggling, simply because I want to and think it’s sonically super cool. It’s on me to keep practicing every day! Discipline is the inner strength to practice till you know it. Plus, I have an awesome teacher named DJ Chris Brown who is guiding my scratch journey with weekly sessions and drills.
I wanted to add that I am also training to get my black belt in Krav Maga, at a dojo where I’m also learning to teach Karate to youth ages 4 – 12. Also, I’m learning about agriculture and farming, and simultaneously teaching what I learn, as I learn it, to youth at various schools. This is a really powerful opportunity with a program led by a farmer I work for, Farmer Mitch of PHI Global Farms. I truly feel like the most important investments are in youth and the planet, and what better way than guiding youth towards a desire to grow their own food and being self sufficient?
These endeavors are extremely important to me, and sometimes my musical creativity has to take the back burner. To be honest I have difficulty juggling all my jobs and interests. But I couldn’t imagine giving any of them up and always find a way to make it work and keep pushing forward.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
The most recent important lesson I’ve learned is to be more assertive, which means I have to first un-learn being a people pleaser. That includes my rates, my availability, my boundaries. Whereas I used to be afraid to say no; whereas I used to lug tons of gear around for the love of music, I simply have less capacity and therefore more discernment in tolerating certain behaviors and taking certain gigs. I’ve finally recognized the value of my time, and of being assertive about it.
I have had to adapt to more responsibilities and learn how to shift priorities. Everyone goes through this, and no one should have to explain themselves. I can no longer say yes just because someone asks, or because I like having DJ gigs, or because I like the lineup- I have to ask myself, will I really have the energy that night after my other obligations? Can they pay my actual rate, and Is there actually wiggle room in my current budget to go below my rate? Is this sustainable? Is this worth it? Do the people involved have integrity and values aligned with mine?
Since I am a recovering people-pleaser, the goal of “being liked” has meant constantly ignoring my own needs.
There’s not a particular backstory to this lesson other than more times than I can count when I put in more work than what was needed, and created more stress and problems for myself where there didn’t need to be any. I’ve been steadier with the yoga, meditation, journaling, slowing down, and breathing. All of this to say that I’m being more assertive with myself when it comes to taking care of myself.
Having a therapist who encourages me to love and respect myself, by advocating for myself and staying firm with my boundaries, has been life-changing.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: djkc_mackey_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resistthewar/
Image Credits
1 and 4 are by J.R. Johnson 2 and 3 are by Paige Bequette And 7 and 8 are by Martell Stepney