“Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul.”
-Plato
I have always thought there was a whole new level of cool whenever I hear a woman is in an occupation that is more commonly filled by men. The list is endless of these types of occupations, and no doubt, being a DJ is one of them.
Meet DJ Express.
Beneath this San Jose native’s quiet demeanor lies a deep love and passion for all kinds of music and for me, a Bay Area native who also believes that music truly does have a soul language all it’s own, you can just imagine how excited I was to have her and her work represented in this series.
In our time together, I got to learn a little more about her journey as a DJ, her inspirations as an artist, her hopes as a young professional, post collegiate years, and her family background as an Eritrean black woman.
An early morning photoshoot in some of my favorite areas of downtown San Jose getting to know this awesome individual was, needless to say, one of the best ways to spend a Saturday.
I am honored to share with you all today’s spotlight profile on this talented and incredible woman, DJ Express.
Images | Heartbox Photography
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Tell us a bit more about your background - where are you from, what inspired you to be a DJ?
“[I was] born and raised in San Jose, CA – the daughter of two Eritrean immigrants. There are two DJs I met at events in the East Bay Area that inspired me to take this seriously: Eden Hagos – an Eritrean woman DJ that had one of the most versatile yet well-mixed sets I’ve listened to and another DJ that was able to read and vibe off his crowd in a way I haven’t seen DJs do in a long while.”
“[I am most proud of] being able to identify myself as an Eritrean black woman. I am proud of the bloodline I’m from and being able to live my purpose representing my people.”
What is something most people might now know about you?
“Love musicals and Broadway. Going to performing arts schools growing up, I had a chance to participate and grew to love the production that goes behind these shows.”
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Can you tell me about someone who has had a huge influence on your life? What lessons did that person teach you?
“My dad and brothers play a huge influence my life. Each of them pursued goals that others would say are unthinkable, then achieved them, usually being the first in their specialties to do so. Their persistence, drive, humility, and faith in God have always reminded me to stay true to my vision.”
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What is the best advice you've ever received?
“People have the right to hate you for no reason.” - my dad
“They say every man is defined by his reaction to any given situation. Well, who would you want to define you…someone else? Or yourself? Whatever you do homie, give your heart to it, and stay strong.” - The late, “Tha Great” Nipsey Hussle.”
Who/what inspires you and why?
“Jadav Payeng – who spent 37 years of his life planting trees to restore the oasis he grew up on in Majuli island which was destroyed due to human deforestation.
Every day (for about a total of 13,505 times) this man would walk to the destroyed barren and plant a tree. Mr. Payeng single handedly grew a forest twice the size of Central Park and brought back hundreds of animals to the oasis.”
“When I feel hopeless about the current climate, I think about him, and ways I can create daily habits that will lead to accomplishing a greater purpose.”
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If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be and why?
“Archbishop Desmund Tutu – to have a conversation with him regarding how his faith lead him during the apartheid in South Africa.”
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