Talking To: J Oh Zee

We asked J Oh Zee a few questions ahead of her set at The Everyday Launch Party on February the 1st.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m a DJ and promoter from Bristol. I first started getting into music when I was really young and then last year I took part in the Mix Nights DJ course ran by Saffron Records and decided that bedroom DJing just wasn’t enough for me anymore! After my First time playing out in March 2019 everything just kind of fit into place and blew up at like 100 mph, but I love it!

You're the CEO of Shellingz and Cool Calm Collective as well as being part of Wine ’n’ Grime. What drove you to create your own collectives and platforms?

Cool Calm Collective was my first child and this started off as me and a few other creatives wanting a project and a platform to come together and develop and showcase our talents. It’s made up of graphic designers, artist managers, bookers, promoters, producers, DJs and MCs.

Shellingz happened because I knew so many talented grime performers who I felt were not getting the recognition that they deserved. It began as a way of us being able to do what we loved in an environment which involved all of our friends and avid grime lovers. 

Wine ’N’ Grime is something I share with two of my closest mates. Being able to be apart of that is amazing and over the past year we’ve done so much together. It's just great being able to experience these new and exciting things with them! 

Have you got any advice for anyone wanting to build a collective and start putting on events?

Be patient, work hard and believe in what you’re doing. This industry is HARD but so worth it if you love it! 

Also, you have to be ready for setbacks and always have a backup plan, even if it’s having a spare mic at an event you’re throwing. I once threw an event with 15 MCs and the mic decided not to work at the very beginning of the night. I went into panic mode getting Ubers to grab spare mics from people's houses and figuring out how to make it seem like nothing was going wrong - nightmare. Speaking of that, perfect your poker face. The audience will only know something’s wrong if you act like something’s wrong! 

Who are some of your favourite 140 artists at the moment?

Oh my there are SO MANY! Can I write a list? I’m gunna write a list:

JoSoSick
Tintz
K9
JLSXND7RS
Muhla
Lewi B
RakJay
KLOC
Oh91!
Hi5Ghost
Zonae
Lucy
Dunkee
Dunman
Razor
Raheim
Grace
Indexondecks
Filthy Gears
MJK
Motu
Sharon rose
Dj absurd
Just Geo
Audio slugs
Max profit
Ghstly
El Laurie
Griz-o
Roachee
Manga
Jammz
Slowie 
Firee Young
Emz
Katogo
GUNDAM
Gemmy
Pinch
Beanzo
Lichen
Fr33 6ixty
Khabs
Risko
Jakebob
Ten Dixon
JFO
ColdSteppa
Kwam
Flowdam
Armour hot water
Logan
Ekula 
Drum terror
B:thorough
Eyeza
Bespa
Caide
JSmart
Buggsy
MR. Mitch
Blay Vision
ENK3I
OSCO
Fork and Knife
RiVibes
Rame

Just wanna throw it out there that if i've forgotten anyone im sorry!

What was your highlight of 2019?

Wow there has been loads but i'd say playing the main stage at the O2 academy for Eskimo Dance is definitely top. 

What can we expect from you in 2020?

Shellingz has a big event on the 12th of February with JLSXND7RS, Kwam and Armour Hot water and a massive line up of amazing talent! I've also bagged two new radio residencies but more info on that to come.

You can find out more about J Oh Zee via her Instagram and Soundcloud.

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