RosyQ is a remixer, producer and DJ based in New York City.
Catch her gigs up and down the East Coast this summer and beyond!
DJ RosyQ is a petite powerhouse helping to change a male-dominated industry.
The out and proud Puerto Rican-New Yorker is a poster girl for Pride and continues to pump up our favorite queer girl dance floors this summer, playing everything from Latin to Disco.
We caught up with RosyQ to get her take on what makes a good dance event.
Where do you call home?
I live in Brooklyn, NY but my heritage is Puerto Rican.
Current relationship status?
In a relationship.
How did you get into DJing and who are your own personal favorite DJs out there?
I’ve always been obsessed with music every since I was a young girl. My father listened to 50s doo-wop and 60s Motown music. And, my older brother introduced me to hip hop, house and freestyle music. As I got older, I acquired my own eclectic taste in music which I always incorporate in my sets now. I was a music and theater geek and in honor choir all throughout high school. I would play the DJ role at high school parties because I wanted everyone to have a blast and dance their asses off. I wanted to pursue music even further so I majored in media production in college. Music was my soul’s therapy and I wanted to get into it professionally.
I invested in my own DJ equipment and broke into the scene by working hard to promote myself. I was my own marketing, branding and PR person. I reached out to all the promoters with my early mixes until 1 promoter gave me a shot. Since then I have had the honor of DJing for some of the biggest promoters & clubs in NYC, NJ, MIAMI and PUERTO RICO. The rest is history.
My personal favorite DJ’s are the Australian twin duo, Nervo. They have always been an inspiration to me. DJing has always been such a male dominated industry but these women have surpassed the status quo. Not only are they DJ’s but they produce and write their own music as well. Calvin Harris and Diplo are also personal faves of mine in terms of style and production.
Can you describe your style, genre or favorite type of music for your set list?
My style is so very eclectic and open format. I think my exposure to so many types of genres at such an early age contributes to that. I play and cater to the crowd. My personal favorite style, however, would have to be playing Moombahton and Deep House remixed into 80s, 90s and current hits sprinkled with some Hip Hop.
How important is reading the crowd?
Reading the crowd is everything. As a DJ, you are the conductor. The crowd is your symphony. Being a DJ is equivalent to being a live musician. If there’s no stage presence or energy, the crowd may not feel the vibe and music as much. I connect with the crowd and cater to them all the time because I am responsible for getting those tooshies on the dance floor. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a room full of hands up dancing the night away. It’s not uncommon to see me jumping up and down and “fist pumping” while I’m DJing.
Any favorite gigs, or what makes a great gig for you?
I have so many gigs, venues and promoters whom I love. A couple of my most favorite events of the year are during NYC Pride and Miami Pride. I love playing for Siren in New York for Henrietta Hudson and for Miami’s iCandee Events and Pandora.
And, Henrietta Hudson and Stonewall are my main stays. I’m a resident DJ at both of these iconic bars. Henrietta’s is one of the very few full time lesbian bars left in the country and of course, Stonewall is where our LGBTQ liberation movement all started.
Brooklyn, of course, has my heart. Every gig I play in Brooklyn is magical. The crowd is always eclectic and the energy never disappoints.
Rihanna—”Sex With Me.” It’s a slow song but it’s such a sexy song to dance to. Meow.
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride is EVERYTHING to me. I fall under a few minority categories—a female gay Puerto Rican DJ in a male-dominated industry. I had a lot of challenges to face growing up and even now in present day. Pride means being proud of who you are no matter what race, gender, religion you are and it means being proud of WHO YOU LOVE.
What does the LGBTQ community need more of right now?
LGBTQ community needs more acceptance even within our own communities. There is still segregation and racism within our own communities. I can see it from the stage at the parties I DJ. And, a lot of the parties out there are segregated. We need to come together and accept each other if we expect the world to accept us. We need to love each other equally and we need to support each other and fight for our LGBTQ rights together as ONE HUMAN FAMILY.