Music: DJ Kitty Cash

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Music List Here.

Brooklyn's resident badass. 

Kitty Cash has a new routine that has nothing to do with music, but maybe everything to do with where she is in her career. “Every morning,” shares the born and raised Brooklyn-based DJ, producer, and model, “I write down three things I am grateful for.” 

Those might include some career highs like: looking up from a DJ set to see Beyoncé grooving, playing for performance artist Marina Abramovic, who told her “Kitty, you are the future,” and a tribute set she played to Missy Elliot at the Essence Festival.

Her support from other female artists surely arises out of Cash's own feeling on the matter; what you put out, is what you get back. "Female empowerment is understanding that women unifying is a powerful force," Cash shares. "That we can create by being there for each other." She recently took to Instagram to show her love and support for friend and rising musician SZA.

But she didn’t get her start DJing. After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a BA in advertising and marketing communications, Cash worked in public relations at Ralph Lauren, moving on to work as head of marketing and communications at G-Star. “When I first graduated, I set a goal and I stuck to it,” the denim obsessed DJ shares. “I wanted to work for a brand and climb the social ladder until I was an EVP of a company.” 

It was during her time at G-Star that she began DJ’ing for artist Kilo Kish. She loved it so much that she decided to replace her 9-5 with her passion. “When I was working at G-Star, the more I developed Kitty Cash, the more I realized I was an asset and I should make my position work for me just as much as I worked for my position.” Now when it comes to her career her approach is drastically different, calling it “more of a symbiotic relationship or a partnership.” Adding,  “When it comes to my career I am structured, but I also leave room for life to run its course. I am always open to trying something new because you never know when you will discover a new passion.”

Read more from Kitty Cash below on how she found a new passion and why strengthening her relationship with her mother led to a place of self-love. 

What are some of the challenges you've encountered along the way? 

There was definitely a learning curve, starting fresh in a new industry slash a new world and finding my own lane. As an entrepreneur time management is extremely important and was a challenge in the beginning as well.

The DJ space is traditionally male. But more female DJs and artists are emerging. Are there women you looked up to? Who paved the way?

I really love Spinderella, DJ Beverly Bond, and Annie Mac.

And how does it feel to be a woman in the music industry today?

I think now more than ever I feel very empowered. Although it is a male-dominated industry I have come across some very powerful women who are very supportive and are able to teach me and help me grow within this space.

"More than ever I feel very empowered."

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What keeps you going?

Knowing how amazing it feels to be behind the decks and really control a room. You can't buy that feeling!

What is the best piece of "real talk" advice you've received? 

Stay true to yourself because that is what got you here in the first place.

What is a time in your life when you thought, 'I can't do this anymore?’

I probably have that moment once a month. It is so easy to think or say you can't do something but you have to remember why you started and that nothing ever comes easy.

Do you have any extracurricular activities?

I love making stationary and African/Caribbean dance.

International Women’s Day is coming up. It's a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. If you could steer the conversation around International Women’s Day, what would that dialogue be about?

I would talk about women being the champions of their own causes. Highlighting what they have done within their field and their contribution to society rather than them being a woman. This is why I believe it is important to give recognition to movies like "Women of Brewster Place," "Hidden Figures," and "The Color Purple."

How has your relationship with yourself changed in the last five years?

For the first three years out of the five, I realized that strengthening my relationship with my mother allowed me to fill a lot of voids and questions I had about myself. Through her I learned a lot about myself, and through her mistakes I saw how I could be a better me. With her love I developed self-love. I've been able to understand what makes me happy, what I deserve, and what deserves my energy. I learned to be grateful, honor my worth, and love myself the way that I am, just being proud of myself and who I am blossoming into. It is so easy to see all of the wrongs, the imperfections, the things you want to change about yourself but what about everything that makes you you? I have learned to allow myself to live everyday to the fullest and I am still learning to love and respect the journey.

"I learned to be grateful, honor my worth, and love myself the way that I am."

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What does female empowerment mean to you?

Being open to nurture, cultivate, honor, and grow with other women. It's understanding that women unifying is a powerful force that we can create by being there for each other.

Music: DJ Nikki Pennie

This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Music List Here.

Turned the tables on her career. 

Imagine being offered a job for a gig where you don’t know the ropes. Would you say yes? Or be too scared? That’s what happened for DJ Nikki Pennie. She wasn't always adept at getting rooms to dance. The British-born stylist started her career in the fashion world, but folks in the industry kept getting offering her DJ jobs.  

“It was the last thing I ever thought I would end up doing,” she shares. “I got offered a few DJing gigs for fashion brands before I even knew how to DJ three years ago and the rest is history.”

History and a lot of hard work. “I saw an opportunity and I ran with it,” she says. “I took a risk, put in over 100% and thankfully, it worked out.” 

In an industry that remains dominated by men, Nikki says it’s important for her to identify as a female DJ, but that women have the power to “conquer everything.” 

Read through her interview below. 

What are some challenges you’ve encountered along the way?

There have been so many. To start, I couldn’t DJ. I was fortunate enough to be introduced to Dave Garnish. He’s an incredible British music producer who was in LA at the time working on projects. He was kind enough to train me. He was literally a Godsend! I was also lucky to have the intuition to read a room, which is one of the most important DJ skills and that’s something you can’t get from training. 

How do you feel as a woman in the music industry?

It’s an exciting time as the barriers are less significant. 

“I took a risk, put in over 100% and thankfully, it worked out.” 

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What keeps you going?

My ambition, drive, and a lot of coffee! 

Who are the people you consider mentors or influences and why?

Dave Garnish is my mentor. I have so much respect for him and what he has achieved. He has now opened his Garnish Music Production and DJ schools in London, LA, and Brooklyn. His talent, wisdom and kindness are precious!

What’s next? Do you have any five year goals?

I am starting to produce music this year, who knows where that will take me?! I don’t really make long-term plans. I think sometimes it’s better to enjoy the journey and see where life takes you! 

Is there a habit or routine you swear by?

My Dior beauty routine, as I am one of their ambassadors and their products are the best (I am not biased). The Dior Star Canceler is a life-saver especially with the late nights, jet lag, and traveling involved with my job. 

What is a time in your life when you thought, ‘I can’t do this anymore?’

There have been so many points, but thanks to the support from my amazing friends and family that have supported me… I have never given up. 

What is your favorite life advice?

When you fall, always get up straight away.

How has your relationship to your career changed in the last five years?

I am much more confident than I was five years ago and I really feel that anything is possible for anybody. 

What’s on your career bucket list?

To DJ in Japan. I love Japan, Japanese people and the culture. 

What does female empowerment mean to you?

To support an encourage our peers. 

What do you do to support other women either personally or professionally?

Be kind. Kindness is one of the most important things in life.