Music Magic

MUSIC IS MAGIC

DJ LADY S

BY AWP PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF DJ LADY S

2020: the 2020th year of the Common Era (CE), the year we find ourselves having just moved through, adjusting to a new normal, daily grasping the realness of our new life. 2020, a term used universally to describe ‘clear vision,’ and 2020 marking the 17th year of DJing for DJ Lady S.

It is believed among many traditional cultures that what is a gift or a talent that comes naturally to you is where you are meant to change the world. According to light research into Islamic numerology, it is said that the number 17 represents the number of words in the call of prayer, ‘rak’a’ or salaa (liturgical gestures) forms part of the five daily prayers. Prayer is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith and the practicing faith of DJ Lady S. The number 17 is considered to be linked to musical theory and the harmony of spheres. Fitting, as we find ourselves witnessing a time where we are able to create and recreate ourselves and our lives in order to bring harmony within, a time where every industry from farming to entertainment is shifting itself for the best of the universal community. Music is a universal language with the ability to transcend and penetrate every race, gender, and creed.

Sahira Chadouli, whose roots are spread out in Morocco, North Africa, was born in the diamond capital of the world, the port city of Antwerp, Belgium. Spreading her wings and settling in the USA, DJ Lady S is a woman of the world who has for 17 years used her platform as an international DJ, as well as an influencer, to bring a message of love and unity through music. Born to Moroccan parents who migrated to Belgium to provide their family with an opportunity to begin a life where their dreams were on fertilized soil to grow, Sahira and her brother (who is also an internationally known DJ by the name of DJ Cal aka Killa CAL) grew up in a household where music was the way of life—a way of bringing and sustaining harmony, through instrumentals, beats, and family. With the family adapting to a Western lifestyle, the children were raised in the way of Moroccan-Arabic traditions, rooting them in wisdom passed down from generations before them. Raised with these traditions and a way of being has seen doors open for DJ Lady S—doors only consistent hard work, passion, and love could open. “Being Moroccan Arabic, born and raised in Europe, and (now) living in the USA has only made me a big melting pot of fabulous things,” says DJ Lady S.

Before DJing on a plane for Tomorrowland’s party flight or being a featured DJ at Tomorrowland for three consecutive years (to mention but a pinhead of the achievements both great and small), DJ Lady S grew up spending most of her time with her best friend, DJ Cal, or as she knows him, brother. DJ Cal would practice his sets while his sister looked on, observing her brother’s technique and skill—music bonding the siblings. It was after S realised how good she was when simply messing around that she became motivated; coming home to work on her own technique and skills on her brother’s equipment became Sahira’s favorite after-school activity. Grasping the influence she had over the crowd at her very first gig, she said, “I realized that I was in control of their mood, there and then, and I thought it was a magical thing, that through music, I was able to give people a good time.” The musical gene was passed down, and it was only a matter of time before DJ Lady S soared through the airwaves like an eagle, rising above expectation and stepping forward with humility.

In 2012, Sahira, a young woman not afraid to work hard and put in time, sacrificed the little she had to reap the reward of seeing her dreams come true. Walking into one of the top three national radio stations in Belgium–Radio MNM–with no experience or call up, Sahira walked in and claimed her position. Courageously asking her now co-host Brahim if she could spin some records on his show during summer, Brahim accepted. The two now co-host a show together. “I guess they saw the passion and love and after (interning) for a few months, they offered me my own show,” Sahera recalls.

Over the next 17 years, Lady S worked her way up, not only living her own dream but now also in a position to create a space where those like her are able to work towards living their dreams. MNM taught Lady S how to create and run her own show, with no experience. Success is determined by how much you want it and how hard you are willing to work. The radio station saw the spark in S and chose to fuel her fire, a fire that has connected DJ Lady S with many local and international artists and DJs throughout the years. DJ Lady S hosts her own show, “Homecoming,” a platform to give local up-and-coming artists and DJs an opportunity to showcase their talent.– Those selected are given time on national radio, a dream come true for many aspiring artists. Lady S, seeking the spark cultivated through hard work and originality, is drawn to artists who are unique and willing to break the mold, those who lead with courage, integrity, and heart. Music production, the roots, where you are able to create sounds that will take to the waves, is a tier in the music industry DJ lady S reached when she released a CD mixed by herself, the name titled with the former radio show name, the album released through Universal records and other online streaming platforms. “Now it’s not about playing music, but producing music, music that makes people catch a vibe. Priceless,” S says. She took to music production, being open to learning and crafting a sound she knows will change the waves, and released her own single in 2019 called “Mami Work” (which can be found on Spotify). With the knowledge and belief that music can change the vibe of a room, S has drawn inspiration from all across the world.

“I feel rich and blessed that I own so many parts of the world in me. Those are big pluses. It feels great to be a woman of the world,” says S. Music has taken Lady S to countries she never knew the names of, being able to enjoy a good time with people with whom she did not share the same tongue, music being the only language everyone understood. Music bringing people together. S uses this universal language to draw inspiration from every corner of the earth, with Arabic music being the foundation for drawing inspiration, with its instruments and elements, a sure source of inspiration. Lady S has also incorporated Afrobeats (Western Africa), crossing the seas of K-Pop (Korea), coming full circle to Reggaeton (Latin America) to mention a few, but for her, no genre is out of bounds.

S believes in being easy on herself in times of creative standstill, standing still to celebrate the wins, knowing you are putting in the hard work and deserve a pat on the back. She keeps the mindset of focused work, service, and rooting herself in the love of all. Dedication and the work ethic instilled by falling down and getting back up again has seen DJ Lady S have her own residency at club Hï in Ibiza, the number 1 club in the world at the time, rubbing shoulders with some of the greatest DJs in the world. “I still feel honored and get butterflies when I think about it,” S says. This year, with shutdown due to the pandemic, Lady S has shifted her focus to music production, allowing this time of change to be channeled into sounds that will uplift and encourage all those who may feel downtrodden in this strange time. Lady S is ready to bring the vibe, one beat at a time. December 17 2020, DJ Lady S released her new single “All Mine’’ featuring African artist Kriticos (@Kriticos) whose roots are in Zambia and Tanzania. All Mine is currently streaming on all major streaming platforms, a ‘summer hit’ to warm us through this cold winter has been playing on local and international stations since its release. The music video too proved that artists create in the midst of chaos; using her IPhone DJ Lady S (insta: @djladys) shot her parts to the video to the single “ALL MINE”, the result a work of art! The video is currently streaming on Youtube. The pandemic has brought the dance party to your living room, DJ Lady S launched her Twitch account, going live weekly to give you that feel good feeling, each show crafted to have you off your seats; the most will be made of the change we have moved through.

Lady S has personally chosen by choice of her faith to abstain from alcohol and any drugs, including cannabis. However, Sahira has seen the positive effects of cannabis when used rightfully and respectfully, including in members of her own family. As long as people use it rightfully, she is pro-legalization. Two industries—music and cannabis—have been called on right now to help raise the vibration of earth!