Location: Washington, D.C.
www.twitter.com/HollaAtBeanZ

Though DJ Beanz is originally from Boston. Back in Boston, she had immersed herself in hip-hop from an early age, listening to greats such as Grand Master Flash, Roc Raida, and Tony Touch. Then in ‘99 she had an opportunity to move to Florida, taking a job promoting shows. And while hip-hop was what she knew, being in Florida, there was a large drum and bass scene and she took the opportunity during her free time to mess around on the turntables and essentially teach herself how to DJ. She would get her chance when, as she puts it, she “was thrown out there in front of a crowd where no one was dancing.” Well, they weren’t dancing, but by the time she looked up as her set ending, everyone was on their feet moving and she knew she’d found her calling.

Fast-forward 3-4 years later and another opportunity came a knocking. This wasn’t a music opportunity but an opportunity nonetheless when she was afforded the chance to assist in the opening of a local DC metro area restaurant. The plan was to stay for 5 months, but as luck would have it she’s been here in the DMV ever since. The reason?

The people.

It came as no surprise that she gravitated towards the music scene after moving here, Hanging around in some of the lounges and open mics allowed her to hone her craft and also meet some of the regional celebrities of the underground. Through her interactions, the thing she began notice (and that ultimately led her to finally call DC home) was the unity amongst the various artists. It’s as if an “us against the world” mentality has developed as a result of DC being overlooked. This unity amongst the artists here should allow them to show the rest of the country that Wale isn’t the only one with skills from DC, VA, and MD.

DJ Beanz just recently released a mixtape called DMV Disciples Vol. 1, (on Topp Dogg Hill Records) which she put together as a way for her to be able to showcase the talents of some of the other artists from the DMV.

If you want to reach DJ Beanz for information or booking, she is the official DJ for Topp Dogg Hill Records and a member of the Fleet DJs, or you can follow her on Twitter @HollaAtBeanZ. DMV, support your own!