Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to DJ KICKIT. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

DJ KICKIT, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I knew I wanted to pursue a creative and artistic path professionally when I realized the profound impact that music had on my life from a very young age. It all began when I was a kid, and I would lock myself in my room to escape the challenges and troubles of childhood. It was during those moments that I would lose myself in the melodies, rhythms, and lyrics of the music I was listening to. Music had this incredible power to transport me to a place where nothing else in the world mattered. It was a source of solace, joy, and an escape from the difficulties that surrounded me.

However, what truly ignited my passion for a creative path was when I learned how to be actively creative with music. I realized that I could not only listen and escape but also create and share that same magical feeling with others. That realization was a turning point for me. I knew deep down that I never wanted to let go of that feeling, and I wanted to dedicate my life to sharing it with others.

As I pursued a career as a professional DJ, I found a unique avenue to bring that joy and happiness to people through music. The ability to curate and mix tracks that can move an audience, make them dance, smile, and forget their worries – that’s a profoundly rewarding feeling. To witness the transformative power of music firsthand, to see the elation it can bring to a crowd, is an experience like no other.

What makes this path even more fulfilling is the knowledge that I can make a living out of it. It’s a testament to the incredible potential that exists in pursuing one’s artistic passions professionally. The journey may have its challenges and uncertainties, but the opportunity to pursue a career that allows me to share that indescribable feeling I had as a child and bring it to others is a calling I couldn’t ignore.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m DJ KICKIT, an open-format DJ hailing from Austin, Texas, with a story that’s as diverse as my music. My journey in this industry began in 2012, fueled by an insatiable curiosity about DJing and a deep-rooted connection to music.

From the age of 4, music has been my compass. I started as a drummer, dabbled in violin, and even explored rapping. These early experiences paved the way for my unique mixing style, where classic hip-hop, funk, and Latino favorites collide.

Recently, I’ve been fortunate enough to grace the airwaves, with features on DJCITY Latino and Pitbull’s Globalization on SiriusXM, alongside DJ Laz. My tribute mix to A Tribe Called Quest even gained recognition during the “A Cypher in Queens” exhibition in New York City.

But my journey isn’t confined to stages and turntables alone. I’ve shared my story as a motivational speaker, touching on how music saved my life. Teaching kids how to DJ along the way has been an incredible joy, blending my passion for music with a desire to inspire the next generation.

More recently, Austin recognized my contributions with a Proclamation earlier this year (2023), declaring May 17th as “DJ KICKIT Day.” Beyond the decks, my business partner and I launched the “Scratch Theory of Tejas” podcast, where we dive into DJ community topics.

As a woman, Latina, and queer individual, I’ve proudly made my mark in a traditionally male-dominated industry. My journey continues to evolve, and I invite you to join me in celebrating beats, identity, and the power of music.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A significant lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that success was solely tied to pursuing traditional careers, a mindset ingrained in me as the child of immigrant parents. In our culture, success often meant becoming a doctor, lawyer, or administrator, and there were rigid gender roles for women, limiting their roles to housewives and mothers.

When I decided to pursue music, many in my family didn’t take me seriously. They saw it as a joke or a gimmick and couldn’t fathom it becoming a career. It was a challenging time for me.

I had to let go of the idea that traditional jobs were the only path to success and embrace my musical talent and dreams for myself. I’d always been afraid to take charge of my destiny due to fear of not receiving support, but I realized that some of these expectations were projections of others’ unfulfilled dreams.

Beyond my career choice, I’ve been shedding the cultural and gender constraints that have held women back. I’ve learned that women are just as capable as men in pursuing their dreams and breaking free from societal norms.

In essence, I’ve learned that success is a deeply personal journey that doesn’t always align with conventional expectations. By unlearning these limiting beliefs, I’ve opened up a world of possibilities for myself and hope to inspire others to do the same. My story shows that we can transcend cultural and gender expectations to pursue our passions and fulfill our dreams, no matter what barriers society may impose.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

For the past 16 years, I had built a strong career as a Digital Product Manager in the corporate world. It was a profession I enjoyed, and I was successful in it. However, there was always a lingering passion and calling in my heart—to continue pursuing music.

Throughout my time as a Product Manager, I managed both my career and my musical endeavors. Even though I often found myself exhausted from juggling both, I never hesitated to dedicate my time to music and my podcast. It was a true labor of love.

In the corporate space, I could talk numbers, OKRs, and all the jargon that came with it, but whenever someone at work inquired about my music or my DJ career, my face would light up. It was as if the universe was telling me that while my life was going well, and I was making a good income from both careers, something was about to change.

Sure enough, earlier this year, my corporate career was abruptly cut short due to a company layoff. It was an incredibly scary moment because my corporate job had always been my financial safety net. However, despite the initial fear and uncertainty, I began to feel an overwhelming sense of freedom.

With my corporate career behind me, I could now fully focus on my business as a professional DJ. I essentially became my own product manager, handling everything from merchandising to creating remixes, managing invoices, and, most importantly, being present at my events, spreading joy and making people have a fantastic time.

This pivot has not only allowed me to pursue my true passion but has also given me a profound sense of fulfillment. I’m now living my dream, and I’ve come to understand that sometimes, the universe guides us to where we truly need to be. It’s a reminder that change, even when it’s unexpected, can lead to the most liberating and rewarding experiences of our lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.djkickit.com
• Instagram: @djkickit17
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/karlasrendon
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ScratchTheoryofTejas
• Mixes: https://soundcloud.com/djkickit17

Image Credits
@fotosgallegos @_onetakefilms_ @photosnipa @dirrtyxrisatx @lamego.studios.atx