Over the last few years, New Jersey producer and DJ KAYY DRiZZ has established herself as one of the most tireless forces in club music. Even as the fleet-footed style of Jersey Club its dalliances with mainstream success—seeing the scene’s most visible stars taking up residence at big festivals and its off-kilter rhythms and sounds cribbed by big stars—the artist born Kalayisa Drake has mostly just been keeping to herself, woodshedding, working on her uniquely high-energy blends and ecstatic original productions.
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While her Soundcloud account projects the modest picture of a producer who’s merely prolific, she estimates that between her released and unreleased material she’s got between 500-600 tracks in the bag already and more on the way everyday. That’s not to mention her recent refocusing on offering squeaky slivered vocals on other producers’ tracks (peep her features on tracks by scene staples like DJ Problem and Adolf Joker, among others).So between this production grind, as well as a steady slate of gigs, needless to say, Drake stays busy, but she recently took some time out of her schedule to put together a mix of absolute heaters for this week’s Noisey Mix. Bouncing twitchily between Jersey’s vibrant sounds, jittery EDM inversions, and trap anthems, it’s a deftly mixed exploration of her talents as a club destroyer. Oh also, there’s a remix of “Gucci Gang” that feels like someone turned its skeleton into a marionette and made it footwork, so definitely keep an ear out for that.Check out that mix below alongside a wide-ranging conversation about KAYY DRiZZ's journey into playing club music, and what it feels like playing this stuff in the wake of the mainstream co-option of this hyperlocal sound.Noisey: How are we meant to enjoy the mix? What's the perfect setting?
KAYY DRiZZ: This mix is perfect for enjoying while getting ready to go out, working out, in the car, anywhere you enjoy! Jersey Club Music is all about fun, so we encourage our listeners to loosen up and have a great time.
KAYY DRiZZ: This mix is perfect for enjoying while getting ready to go out, working out, in the car, anywhere you enjoy! Jersey Club Music is all about fun, so we encourage our listeners to loosen up and have a great time.
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Is synesthesia a real thing and if so, what color is this mix?
Yes! I experience synesthesia with everything. Being an Indigo Child, I'm hypersensitive to my surroundings. I sense and see auras, and I feel sound. Certain colors and sounds can easily put me in different moods. This mix is Orange, the color of creativity and fun!Was there any specific concept to the mix?
Every song I produce or mix I put together has a concept and feelings behind it. I started it off on a hype mode for the fellas to enjoy because you know the best is saved for last—the booty bounce music for my ladies and a little ballroom/ballroom inspired music for my kunty cuties. I included my favorite songs from some of my favorite producers and they all flow with one another perfectly.Do you have a favorite moment on the mix?
Truthfully, listening to this mix over and over my favorite moment is the entire project! I incorporate all of my favorite producers and songs into every mix I do, and being that I'm very supportive of my peers, I can feel the hard work and feelings they felt at the moment creating their own art - and there’s nothing I enjoy more than hearing and seeing the work of others.Can you tell me about your journey into making and playing club music?
My journey first began when my family use to throw our famous cookouts and everyone on the block would come through and have a good time. My uncle was a DJ and played all sorts of music, but once I heard “The Percolator” and other Chicago house music, I fell in love with the upbeat tempo and the vocals over the music. Then years later in late middle school/high school, I heard a different sound of house music and got to investigating.
Yes! I experience synesthesia with everything. Being an Indigo Child, I'm hypersensitive to my surroundings. I sense and see auras, and I feel sound. Certain colors and sounds can easily put me in different moods. This mix is Orange, the color of creativity and fun!Was there any specific concept to the mix?
Every song I produce or mix I put together has a concept and feelings behind it. I started it off on a hype mode for the fellas to enjoy because you know the best is saved for last—the booty bounce music for my ladies and a little ballroom/ballroom inspired music for my kunty cuties. I included my favorite songs from some of my favorite producers and they all flow with one another perfectly.Do you have a favorite moment on the mix?
Truthfully, listening to this mix over and over my favorite moment is the entire project! I incorporate all of my favorite producers and songs into every mix I do, and being that I'm very supportive of my peers, I can feel the hard work and feelings they felt at the moment creating their own art - and there’s nothing I enjoy more than hearing and seeing the work of others.Can you tell me about your journey into making and playing club music?
My journey first began when my family use to throw our famous cookouts and everyone on the block would come through and have a good time. My uncle was a DJ and played all sorts of music, but once I heard “The Percolator” and other Chicago house music, I fell in love with the upbeat tempo and the vocals over the music. Then years later in late middle school/high school, I heard a different sound of house music and got to investigating.
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Come to find out it was none other than DJ Tameil and Dj Tim Dolla. Where I'm from, not alot of people were familiar with this sound "Brick City Club Music" which later on became Jersey Club Music. Hearing local producers like Mike Gip got me into the groove of wanting to produce my own! Looking back at family functions and enjoying how everyone were having fun, I wanted to share my happiness with others and began DJing as well. Listening to club music made me feel like I've made a connection with a sound that describes my personality—bubbly and fun! The energy brings me happiness and I've learned to channel my emotions through producing and DJing.What would you say separates your mixing and production from other club producers?
When I'm mixing and producing, I always try to go for a concept that'll make my listeners say, "Aye!" I usually mix songs that make references to each other and it flows immaculately. When I'm working on new music, I tend to have messages in my songs behind what I'm feeling at the particular moment. Other times, I visualize myself or others dancing to my ideas in my head and that’s how I come up with concepts. Most producers make music they feel is "Hot," while I make music that the listeners can feel. From the bedsqueaks and slow breakdowns, putting the crowd in a sensual mood—to chopped words and phrases over hard-hitting drops—every sample I use, pattern I make has a frequency that makes you have no choice but to head bop in your seat, to getting up and moving to the beat.
When I'm mixing and producing, I always try to go for a concept that'll make my listeners say, "Aye!" I usually mix songs that make references to each other and it flows immaculately. When I'm working on new music, I tend to have messages in my songs behind what I'm feeling at the particular moment. Other times, I visualize myself or others dancing to my ideas in my head and that’s how I come up with concepts. Most producers make music they feel is "Hot," while I make music that the listeners can feel. From the bedsqueaks and slow breakdowns, putting the crowd in a sensual mood—to chopped words and phrases over hard-hitting drops—every sample I use, pattern I make has a frequency that makes you have no choice but to head bop in your seat, to getting up and moving to the beat.
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This is kind of an abstract question, but in general what’s it like playing Jersey club in 2018? Obviously, there was some mainstream fascination with the sound over the last couple of years, both in the elevation of local stars and the co-option of the sound by like big EDM producers. Does it feel different to be playing the kind of music you make now than it did when you first started?
Honestly, playing Jersey Club Music in 2018 is way different than playing it years ago. We Jersey natives spent precious time and years creating and perfecting our sound which turned into our CULTURE. We've faced many producers and DJs outside of Jersey and the country producing our music and calling it "____ Club" or getting tours off our music instead of the Pioneers, who created it.Now, we have artists like Skrillex (OWSLA) who picked up DJ Sliink, and they both pack out shows with their touch of Jersey Club/EDM and Missy Elliot, who works with DJ Jayhood and their creativity together is immaculate! People are starting to pay more attention and look back to where it all began. Club music has a different feeling than it had years ago. We were all still young, finding our sound until it was perfected. Over the years you hear how differently Jersey Club music sounds and it'll bring you a feeling of nostalgia for the 2011 days. The scene feels different only because Jersey Club is becoming more mainstream and we have a strong team representing and putting on for our culture so we're showing Jersey Club to the world, RAW and UNCUT.What does doing vocals on other tracks that offer you creatively that DJing and producing doesn’t?
Before I was KAYY DRiZZ, I was COOKiiEE. I was a vocalist before I became a producer! I did vocals for "Wave your back" and "COOKiiEE's Laugh" produced by Freak Boy and from there I became known for my famous laugh. More producers started working with me, and I also started producing my own music with my own vocals. I have so many songs to make with my vocals over them! I was always told to let my music be my voice and put my feelings into it. Being a vocalist gives me the verbal freedom of expressing myself and as well as my craft. So this year I'm focusing more on rapping over my original club beats and working with other big vocalists.What’s next for KAYY DRiZZ? Do you have any plans for a full-length collection of your productions?
I'm thinking about starting like, a KAYY DRiZZ's Greatest Hits folder in the next few years. I've produced over 500-600 songs, released and unreleased and still have more on the way! I plan on touring more and sharing my Culture with the people. I've been in the works with my EP, which I've been spending time on, making sure it sounds nothing less than perfect. I can't wait til this project is finished!Listen to all of the previous Noisey Mixes here.Colin Joyce is an Editor for Noisey and is on Twitter.
Honestly, playing Jersey Club Music in 2018 is way different than playing it years ago. We Jersey natives spent precious time and years creating and perfecting our sound which turned into our CULTURE. We've faced many producers and DJs outside of Jersey and the country producing our music and calling it "____ Club" or getting tours off our music instead of the Pioneers, who created it.Now, we have artists like Skrillex (OWSLA) who picked up DJ Sliink, and they both pack out shows with their touch of Jersey Club/EDM and Missy Elliot, who works with DJ Jayhood and their creativity together is immaculate! People are starting to pay more attention and look back to where it all began. Club music has a different feeling than it had years ago. We were all still young, finding our sound until it was perfected. Over the years you hear how differently Jersey Club music sounds and it'll bring you a feeling of nostalgia for the 2011 days. The scene feels different only because Jersey Club is becoming more mainstream and we have a strong team representing and putting on for our culture so we're showing Jersey Club to the world, RAW and UNCUT.What does doing vocals on other tracks that offer you creatively that DJing and producing doesn’t?
Before I was KAYY DRiZZ, I was COOKiiEE. I was a vocalist before I became a producer! I did vocals for "Wave your back" and "COOKiiEE's Laugh" produced by Freak Boy and from there I became known for my famous laugh. More producers started working with me, and I also started producing my own music with my own vocals. I have so many songs to make with my vocals over them! I was always told to let my music be my voice and put my feelings into it. Being a vocalist gives me the verbal freedom of expressing myself and as well as my craft. So this year I'm focusing more on rapping over my original club beats and working with other big vocalists.What’s next for KAYY DRiZZ? Do you have any plans for a full-length collection of your productions?
I'm thinking about starting like, a KAYY DRiZZ's Greatest Hits folder in the next few years. I've produced over 500-600 songs, released and unreleased and still have more on the way! I plan on touring more and sharing my Culture with the people. I've been in the works with my EP, which I've been spending time on, making sure it sounds nothing less than perfect. I can't wait til this project is finished!Listen to all of the previous Noisey Mixes here.Colin Joyce is an Editor for Noisey and is on Twitter.