DJ Brooke Grabow:
One of South Beach's most in demand Djs on her music and her turn to Hip-Hop.

By: J.K. Wilson

WEBLINK: DJBROOKE.COM

Easily one of the most recognizable names in the mecca partying capitol of Miami, Dj Brooke Grabow has delivered amazing sets for packed clubs, huge crowds, and A- List celebrities from Madonna and Paris Hilton to Diane Von Furstenberg and Lenny Kravitz. A Miami native, Grabow has continued to set the bar for one of the worlds biggest music and nightlife destinations, using everything from funk to progressive house to fill venues with fans of her style and talent. Now, Grabow has started using Hip-Hop to spread the love, spinning in Skybar, Prive, and Mansion. She talks to FM about her view of music, and the ultimate in crowd control:

What got you into the DJ gig?

Growing up in Miami, I was an avid listener to the University of Miami radio station, WVUM. I knew when I got to college; I wanted to get involved in their radio station. I had a show, Elements, which ran for four years on Boston University Radio where I would do a live turntable mix.

Who are your major influences?

As far as DJs, Jam Master Jay is the DJ of all DJs. Musically, my family for exposing me to all types of music from Classic Rock to Disco to early 80’s Hip Hop.

Where do you spin now?

Currently, I spin Thursdays at Skybar, Fridays at Prive, and Saturdays at Mansion.

So what do you say to the question of what it’s like to DJ in one of the hottest cities to party in these days?

Miami has always been one of the most exciting towns to go out in. I love Djing in Miami because the people let loose here; they appreciate a good DJ who offers them a great night out!

What is it about spinning that really gets you going, that keeps you doing it?

When I DJ a party and people are loving it, feeling it, and are in tune with me – dancing, sweating – that is the best rush ever. The people who tell me they had the best night out; because of me, is always a great feeling.

What is like to know how to control a huge crowd with music? How involved is tapping into people’s sex drive to get a crowd going?

Controlling a crowd is a huge responsibility, especially in Miami where people have very high expectations. As a DJ, you are supplying energy for the crowd which usually covers a whole range of emotions.

I’m sure you know you’re one of the hottest female Djs out there now, do you think that gives you an advantage over the guys in the industry?

Thanks for the compliment! I have received various compliments and people are usually surprised to see a female behind the decks. As far as how my DJ journey has evolved, being a female has not offered me any advantages as far as getting a gig over a guy. I am booked solely on my skills and how I rock a party. I have to compete with all the rest of the guy DJs, there is probably a bit more pressure on me because of who I am; people really want to see what I can do.

How important would you say music is to the money made from tourists coming to South Beach for the season?

Music is a key part of the club scene. The tourists come to South Beach for the nightlife; but all the components of the club scene are important; atmosphere, lights, crowd, the layout of the club itself, the list goes on and on.

So you spent the first few years of your career spinning progressive and deep house? Where?

I started as a radio DJ, playing everything from Funk to experimental break beats. That evolved into all areas of electronic music including Progressive House and Drum and Bass. A few of my first gigs I spun Drum and Bass. In 2000, I spun Progressive House for the Astor Hotel’s Friday poolside soiree and at the Zen Festival After Party at the Living Room.

Is it easy to get a crowd going with house vs. other kinds of music?

Getting a crowd going is all about the DJ. If you can get a crowd going with any type of music that is really what DJing is about. I like being able to spin everything so I can tailor the music to fit the crowd.

What do you think it is about house that affects crowds the way it does?

House has a driving force behind it. It all connects together very well and it can be manipulated to take people on a journey, that goes for all electronic music from down-tempo to hard core techno.

And now you’re packing clubs with Hip Hop. What brought on the change?

I like the spoken word element of Hip Hop. I like to tell a story with Hip Hop. It is very expressive and very technical as far a being able to quick mix, scratch, and beat juggle. It is also very challenging to be one of the better Hip Hop DJs and I like the challenge.

What do you think it is about Hip Hop that packs clubs? Any similarities to House?

It is merely a preference to what people want to hear that might pack one club over another. I spin in club with two rooms, so people can go back and forth between both types of music.

Which one do you think is sexier?

The sexiness of music comes from Jazz elements. Some R & B can bee as sexy as some deep house, and some Hip Hop can be as hard as techno.

Who are some of the best names in Hip Hop to spin to these days?

DJ Craze is hands down the best experimental and technically skilled DJ in the world. Mix Master Mike is at the top along side him with unbelievable technical skills and innovation in music with the Beastie Boys. DJ Shadow, Z – Trip, and DJ Spooky are unmatched in their uncompromising efforts to put together rare cuts and groves which will take you on a ride you have definitely never been on before.

When and where was one of your really great international spinning sessions?

One of my few international DJ sets was in Amsterdam. I spun at The Starlight alongside DJ Crazy Sean. It was in ’98 when Stardust’s “Music Sounds Better With You” was the song you waited all night to hear. When I got on the decks, Sean handed me the record and told me to go for it, it was one of the most fun sets ever.

Do you spin Hip Hop internationally also?

I spun a Hip Hop / Rock set at the Toronto Film Festival in Canada last year. I am looking into spinning in London and returning to Toronto for the Film Festival again.

Do you notice a difference in the way a crowd reacts to the music here vs. in other countries?

I have been embraced as a DJ in many other cities. I get such a great response in Los Angeles and New York. I think people are generally interested in DJs from other areas around the world.

What other countries do you want to spin in, that you’ve heard have amazing crowds?

I’m open to spinning in other cities and countries. I think more of the metropolitan cities like Paris, London, and Milan would be open to my Hip Hop / Rock experience.

Tell me about your relationship with 02 Music.

I am the holding down the Hip Hop spectrum of 02 Music and I am proud to do so.

What is 02 Music about, where’s it going?

Bringing together people through music and self expression is what 02 Music is all about. I think the future for 02 music will entail more collaboration with various artists and connecting people from all over the world through their vision.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

It’s just the beginning…more parties, of course, more mix CD’s, and studio work remixing songs. I’m also going to pursue getting back on the radio and doing a live mix again.