BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - FEMALE FRENZY is expected to erupt on Saturday night (Nov. 10) at Sprat Net when Evolution HD presents its first ever Hot Gyal Salute event, which will feature Antigua’s number one sound, Sister SoulJahs, and SKN’s number one female sound, Trendsetter Movement, featuring Sister Sensia.
The action kicks off at 10 p.m.
During an overseas interview with 23-year-old Damara ‘Selecta DD’ Phillips of Sister SoulJahs Sound, the Antigua Girls High School graduate shared that she got started in the business playing for herself and family members when she was a first form student.
It was back in April 2006 that Phillips made her debut on the entertainment scene.
Sister SoulJah Sound has been in operation for six years. There are six members, including one other DJ beside Selecta DD and two emcees. Collectively, all of the Sound's members are under the age of 30, with the youngest being Selecta DD and the oldest, a 29-year-old.
Selecta DD has played for a number of ‘big’ dances in her Wadadli homeland, including Blue Jeans Fete, Girl Power, Rum-U-Lous. She also co-hosted Geek Fest and played for the event as well.
Asked what the experience is like being a female in the ‘DJ-ing’ industry, Selecta DD said, “For me, I grew up and around a lot of males. It doesn’t feel different…I feel like one of the boys.”
Among the male family members she grew up around included her cousins.
Selecta DD is also a singer.
Hip Hop (especially old school), Dance, Techno, Pop, Dancehall, R&B, Soca and band music are some of the genres that Selecta DD loves to mix up, and these are what the people of the Federation can expect to hear when the Antiguan all-girl sound touches down in the dance.
Furthermore, for her, it is about feeling the crowd and seeing the age group of patrons that allow her to satisfy her audience of music lovers.
This reporter learnt that Selecta DD has Kittitian roots.
Her late Antiguan grandfather resided in St. Kitts for a number of years and was married to a Kittitian, with whom he had children including her father.
So, of course, it is no question that although this would be her first visit to the island, she always considers St. Kitts her second home.
Chief Executive Officer of Evolution HD, Yusef ‘Selector Ubal’ Connor said the idea of putting on an event like this is to basically showcase female entertainment. He also highlighted that he wanted to have an event like this so that ladies could come on out and enjoy themselves.
Connor shared that plans are afoot to make the event an annually one and that it would only get “bigger and better” going forward.
For future events, persons can expect to see a variety of female artistes other DJs, plus other female representation in the entertainment field.
Females on the homegrown scene would always be a part of the line for Evolution HD’s Hot Gyal Salute events.
“We’ll start in the Caribbean region and work our way to the international market,” he added when asked from where the selection of individuals would be sourced.
Selecta Ubal was asked to comment on the battle of the sexes in the entertainment business.
For him, females are quite capable and have proven that they could do a good job just as any male when it comes to ‘DJing’.
He is encouraging the ladies to come on out and enjoy the experience.
You will never know, there just might be some females in the audience who might be empowered to be a part of the entertainment industry.
Additionally, he wants the men to come out also to support and enjoy female entertainment at its best.
Mad Squad, Evolution HD and Small Axe Band are also on the entertainment lineup.
