We were lucky to catch up with Nikki Webb recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Nikki thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
All my life my dad had been a DJ. We all helped with the family business and that included helping dad DJ. That meant that we helped carry all the lights, equipment and music. We even got to help while he was playing music; that meant pulling out songs on records, tapes and cds. When I was 10 years old I asked my dad to teach me how to DJ. I learned everything I could about what it took to rock a party. I even learned how to hook up all the pieces and how to unhook everything very carefully to store it for next. time. Learning “how to DJ” was easy, what was hard was learning how to program. Programming took more time because it requires so much more thinking than doing. You have to know your music and then you have to match songs by beats, tempo and the vibe they bring when played. Next, you have to study the crowd, you have to know the demographic; age, sex, race, look at how they are dressed, and finally which songs they dance to or just sing a long to. Most people think that DJing is easy because they love music but unless you have actually been a DJ, you truly have no idea what goes to into the craft.
The only thing I could have done to speed up my learning was start earlier and in between gigs, I should have pulled out the equipment and practiced more. I got married and had my first child; a son in 1999 while I was working at the television station. The most essential skills for becoming a DJ are of knowledge of music so you can properly program the songs that will keep the people entertained, ability to operate the equipment, people/customer service skills and the ability to work under pressure. People skills are extremely important because most of business is run on word of mouth. Getting an attitude with the drunk person yelling song requests in your face or being told “You suck” because you don’t have or won’t play a song they ask for is not going to have that person or those they came with giving you a good review in the future. You have to know how to properly handle people at their best and at their worst. Your reputation depends on it! I didn’t have any obstacles in learning my craft, my dad was a great teacher and because I loved it so much, it was easy to learn. Now that I am older and new technology is changing the game, it’s an obstacle to learn how to operate it based on what I was used to. I still don’t have all the latest of everything, but I’m DJing my way and it’s working for me.
Nikki, 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?
I grew in Dayton, Ohio and lived there my entire life. I graduated from Miami Valley Career Technology Center and then attended The International College of Broadcasting and earned a degree in Radio and Television Production. I used that degree to work at different television stations in the Dayton area. Once I became pregnant with my daughter, my priorities changed and so did my career. I started of as a Teacher’s Aide and then the district I worked for came up with a cohort program to help us aides becomes teachers to replace the aging and retiring teachers in the district. Through this cohort, I attended Central State University and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. I became a licensed, certified Intervention Specialist certified in grades K-12. I love working with children, watching their eyes light when they learn something new always makes my day. So many times our children with disabilities are ignored and mistreated as if they have no value because they are different. I try my best every day to make sure the children in my care never feel that feeling. I believe what sets me apart from most other Intervention Specialists is my ability to serve. I serve my students and their families but I also serve my coworkers too. Giving them insight and suggestions for ways to reach all students as well as those with disabilities. I think what sets me apart from other DJs besides being a woman, is my knowledge and musical diversity and my ability to read the room and program accordingly. I have seen so many DJs with the latest and greatest equipment but can’t move the crowd. I also take great pride in be able to upload each and every playlist to Spotify for those that came and what to keep the vibe going or those that missed it to listen to some incredible music.
I have many titles! I am a wife of 25 years, a mother of two adult children; a son and a daughter, I’m a Special Education Coordinator/Intervention Specialist, an aunt, a sister, a niece and an amazing friend to so many. I started DJing when I was 10 years and for over 30 years, my dad and I were the best DJ team ever. When he passed in 2020, I thought I would never play music again. With the encouragement of my amazing husband, I was given an amazing opportunity to fill in for the house DJ at The Barrel House in Dayton, Ohio and it has led to where I am now. I have a monthly standing gig at The Barrel House the third Friday of every month and also booking many side gigs.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
For me the most rewarding part of being a Dj is watching the crowd have a good time. I try my best to provide an enjoyable experience to everyone in the room including myself. Each time I Dj, I always throw in a song two that is a favorite of mine or holds special meaning to me and few songs that were special special to me and dad over the many years we played together. I love being able to tell people that hire me that they will have their very own playlist uploaded on my Spotify so they and their guests can listen again and again. At the same time, I love telling people who are in the room that if they love what they’re hearing, they can hear it again and more of my playlists online for free.
As a teacher the most rewarding part is seeing my students grow and get better at something they thought was impossible. I love looking into a parent’s eyes and saying “I’m going to help you and even your family” and make them understand that it’s not just words. Parents these days have become adversaries of schools and because of that, I may make sure that I let my parents know that I want to be their partner and their child needs both of us to get them to succeed.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
As a Dj, my mission is to make sure that everyone in the room is happy and having a good time. Nothing ruins a party or makes a party like the music. Most people will deal with bad food and just not eat at a party before they will stay at a party with horrible music or a bad DJ. I wanna be the best in my craft. I want to be on the lists when someone asks for a DJ recommendation. I make it my mission to make sure that whoever is in the room is pleased and satisfied enough to tell others about me. I achieve my mission by doing what my daddy taught me about music and programming. Of course, I would love to be a household name with lots of followers and the money that comes with it in order to achieve financial freedom for me and my family.
In my journey as a teacher, I dream of opening my own school someday and completely changing the way education happens. My ultimate goal has always been to rewrite curriculums so that our children are gaining the knowledge and the skills that are most important for living life as a productive adult.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fly_with_usla/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/FlyWithUsLA
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yolanda-nicolle-webb-19bb6998/
- Twitter: @podcast_fly
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@flywithuspodcast6003
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/user/31fb5mmdbwymtzfmafiivydnuadm?si=85a2aaf9683245f1
Image Credits
Yellow shirt pic- In His Majesty’s Image Photography/Melvin Williams DJ phot Pink and Blue Shirt- Gus Stathes Black Fly With Us- Jay Webb Animated Logos-Juan Atomz The Barrel House Flyer- Gus Stathes Black Top Headshot- Lamar Paclay