Life & Work with DJ Shortee of North Hollywood, CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to DJ Shortee.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Absolutely! My DJ journey kicked off in 1995, and it’s been a wild ride ever since.

Before I ever touched a turntable, I was a drummer and percussionist—starting at age 7 and playing in all the bands, from grade school through college. That rhythm foundation led me to DJing at 19, when I inherited a pair of used Technics 1200s and an MTX mixer and started learning the ropes from DJ Faust—who became my first DJ mentor and eventually my partner in both music and life.

I came up mixing with one foot in the electronic dance music scene—spinning breaks, techno, and house—and the other firmly planted in hip hop and turntablism, diving deep into scratching, beat juggling, and battle-style routines. That blend shaped my style early on and sparked a love for genre-bending sets and technical creativity.

Once I got a taste of turntablism, I was hooked. I quickly started performing live DJ sets, winning battles, and producing original music. Over the past three decades, I’ve toured the globe as a professional DJ and music producer—rocking everything from major festivals and underground nightclubs to red carpet galas and industry showcases.

I’ve released a steady stream of original albums, EPs, and singles across multiple genres, including hip hop, drum & bass, and house. Along the way, I’ve shared stages with hip hop legends like KRS-One, Method Man, The Roots, Bahamadia, and Roxanne Shanté… toured alongside DnB icons like Pendulum and Andy C… and scratched with turntablist pioneers including Faust, Craze, Qbert, and the Beat Junkies.

Over the years, I’ve also collaborated with top industry brands like Rane, Serato, Native Instruments, Shure, and Pioneer—helping push the art of DJing forward through education, gear development, and artist showcases.

Throughout my career, I’ve worn a lot of hats—touring artist, turntablist, producer, record label owner—but one of the most fulfilling has been teaching. I started offering private lessons in 1997, and over time, that passion grew into a full-blown education platform.

Today, I create online courses, practice tools, and coaching programs that help DJs level up their skills and master their craft in a fun, structured, and super strategic way.

Whether I’m rocking a set, crafting a beat, or walking someone through a scratch combo for the first time, my goal is always the same: to share the art of turntablism in a way that’s empowering, inclusive, and downright addictive.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? Not even close—but that’s what makes the journey meaningful.

When I started DJing in 1995, female DJs were rare. Female turntablists were almost nonexistent. Prior to ’95, the only woman I knew of who scratched was Spinderella—who I’d admired as a fan of Salt-N-Pepa. There was no social media back then, and the only way to see turntablists was live at a DJ battle or on a grainy VHS tape.

Thankfully, later that same year, I discovered Kuttin Kandi and Symphony through battle footage. Seeing Symphony beat juggle toe-to-toe with her Beat Junkies crewmate Melo-D—and win—blew my mind.

She was the first woman I’d ever seen juggle at the level of the top guys, and in that moment, she became my “it’s possible” person. The one who proved girls could do this. That moment of inspiration helped propel me to become a pioneering female DJ that other women could look to and say, “If she can do it, I can too.”

Soon after, I discovered more trailblazing female turntablists like Jazzy Joyce and Cocoa Chanelle—but that was about it at the time. For the first decade of my career, I was often the only woman in the room—on the lineup, in the scratch session, on the tour, in the studio.

In 1998, I showed up to a gig and the bouncer wouldn’t let me into the venue because he didn’t believe I was the DJ. He literally said, “You don’t look like a DJ.”

Fast forward to 2014, and Arsenio Hall said the exact same thing to me on national TV: “You look like a really young soccer mom. If I saw you at a mall, I wouldn’t think you were a DJ.”

(Would somebody please tell me what a DJ is supposed to look like?)

So while things have improved since the mid-’90s, the industry still has a long way to go in terms of inclusion, equity, diversity and respect for the women holding it down in this male-dominated space.

I’ve been underestimated, talked over, left out, judged harder, paid less, exploited, held to double standards—and at times, flat-out ignored. But I didn’t let it stop me. I kept going, kept showing up, and carved out a space where there wasn’t one before.

That said, I’ve never done this alone. I’ve been incredibly lucky to have strong, supportive male counterparts by my side since day one. DJs like Faust and Craze were not only my original crewmates—they were also my champions. They taught me invaluable skills, believed in me, gave me tough love, and had my back when it really counted.

I’m fully aware that in some spaces, it sadly still takes a man to co-sign a woman before the world starts to take her seriously. And I’m grateful they used their voices to lift me up—not because I needed permission or a handout, but because their allyship helped open doors that might’ve stayed closed otherwise.

Today, there are thousands of incredible female DJs in the game, and more women than ever entering the world of turntablism—which is amazing to see. But female turntablists are still a minority, and the misogyny, gatekeeping, and imbalance still exist—especially at the pro level.

That kind of bias is exactly why representation matters. And it’s why I take time out to create visibility and opportunities for women coming up in this space. One example is “Scratch Like a Girl,” the all-female freestyle scratch showcase I organize with Technics each year at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA. It’s designed to spotlight talented women in turntablism who might not otherwise get the chance to shine at that level—because yeah, it’s still very much a boys’ club out there.

And speaking of lifting others up—one of my favorite full-circle moments of my journey was meeting DJ Annalyze in 2002. She’d learned to scratch from one of my instructional VHS videos years before we ever met. We instantly clicked and went on to tour the world together as the all-female DJ duo Twice as Nice.

Knowing that my teaching helped spark her turntablist journey—especially back when she was also the only female DJ in her area—is one of those rare full-circle moments (and lifelong friendships) that reminds me exactly why I do what I do.

Representation matters.

Education matters.

Legacy matters.

So no, it hasn’t been easy. But it’s been worth it.

And as I keep climbing the ladder, I’m always dropping it back down—so the women climbing up behind me don’t have to start from scratch the way I did.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Sure! So here’s the scoop on what I do and what I’m all about:

I’m a professional DJ, turntablist, music producer, and DJ educator with nearly 30 years of experience behind the decks and over 27 years as an instructor. I specialize in scratching, beat juggling, mixing, music production, and performance artistry—but my real passion is teaching DJs how to master the craft with clarity and confidence.

Aside from my creative career as an artist myself, I’m also well- known for helping aspiring DJs transform into skilled scratch musicians and turntablists through step-by-step training, interactive practice systems, and high-energy coaching that actually makes learning fun. I don’t just teach techniques—I teach strategy, structure, timing, musicality, and mindset… all the stuff that turns “button pushers” into true artists.

Over the years, I’ve taught thousands of DJs from all around the world through private lessons, live workshops, online courses, and custom scratch tools. My flagship program, Scratch Like A Pro, is the only training system of its kind that combines structured lessons with 750+ interactive drills designed to build real muscle memory and creative flow.

I also produce original music, battle records, and practice beats, and I co-run a record label, Heavy Artillery Recordings, with my partner, DJ Faust. Together, we also produce music and perform as a team under the alias “Urban Assault”.

What I’m most proud of?

Honestly, it’s not the big gigs or flashy milestones (though I’m grateful there’ve been plenty). It’s the impact I’ve made as a mentor—especially for women in a field that hasn’t always been welcoming. I’ve helped open doors, shatter glass ceilings, and prove that DJing & turntablism isn’t just for the boys. Through my courses, events like Scratch Like A Girl, and one-on-one coaching, I’ve made it my mission to create spaces where DJs of all ages, genders and backgrounds can grow, shine, and feel seen.

What sets me apart?

I teach the way I wish I had been taught: with a clear system, a sense of humor, and a whole lotta heart. My lessons are detailed but digestible, nerdy but fun, and always driven by a growth mindset for musicians—not just mechanics. I combine 3 decades of tour-tested experience with a deep love for teaching and a commitment to making learning accessible, inclusive, and empowering.

Whether I’m rocking a live set, producing a beat, or helping a student nail their first scratch technique, I bring the same energy every time: focused, fun, and full of love for this craft.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
For me, it’s a mix of grit, growth mindset, and genuine love for the craft of DJing. But if I had to pick just one?

Relentless persistence.

I’ve always believed that talent might open the door, but tenacity keeps you in the room. From the jump, I had to navigate a lot of “firsts,” a lot of “no’s,” and a lot of spaces that weren’t built for someone like me. If I had waited around for permission or the perfect conditions, I’d still be waiting. I kept going—even when it was uncomfortable, intimidating, or downright exhausting—because I love this craft.

And I don’t just mean pushing through the tough stuff. I mean staying curious, showing up consistently, and always being open to learning. Whether I’m leveling up my own skills or helping a student through theirs, I know that progress takes patience and practice—and I’m here for it, every step of the way.

That persistence, paired with passion and purpose, is what’s helped me build a career that’s not just sustainable, but deeply fulfilling.

Pricing:

• Online Scratch DJ Course: Scratch DJ Essentials – $97
• Online Scratch DJ Training Program: Scratch Like A Pro – $1197 (Payment Plans Available)
• Online DJ Course: Beat Match Like A Boss – $97
• Private DJ Coaching: $197 per 90 minute session (Bulk Package Deals Available)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.djshortee.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djshortee/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djshorteeofficial/
• Twitter: https://www.tiktok.com/djshortee/ (NOT ON TWITTER/X ;0)
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/djshortee/
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/djshortee
• Other: https://www.scratchdjcourses.com/