After only two years in the industry Blakehurst DJ Helena Ellis has earned herself a residency at Marquee nightclub.
She is the first resident female DJ in the hip hop room; something she puts down to pure hard work.
‘’In the first year I really had to prove myself as a female DJ against people that had been working for years,’’ she said.
‘’I had to work extra hard. I love what I do and that love made me push even harder.’’
Ms Ellis is also a resident DJ at The Argyle in the Rocks.
She said the residency was a highlight in her career despite also playing alongside hip hop star Nelly on his Australian tour in 2015.
‘’It’s just a huge thing to get,’’ she said.
‘’I didn’t expect to get so far so fast.’’
Her dream is to release her own music as a solo artist as well as continuing to write music and tour.
Ms Ellis said there was a few key ingredients that make a good DJ set.
‘’I love mixing some old school songs with some recent releases,’’ she said.
‘’Interacting with the crowd is so vital. The energy you have as a DJ really resonates with the crowd.’’
At the moment she’s enjoying playing Drake, Kayne West and Jay Z.
But there is a few no-no’s when it comes to making a request.
‘’Sometimes I get asked to play house music or EDM during a hip hop set and it just doesn’t go,’’ she said.
‘’As long as it has a good beat I’ll usually play it.’’
In the coming weeks she will play at Marquee, The Argyle, Pacha, Casablanca and Cargo Bar.
