DJ Of The Week: DJ Smiles Davis

» by Danielle Canada August 2, 2010, 8:00am

DJ Smiles Davis is an L.A. DJ who's worked with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu and The Roots. This DJ who describes some of her female counterparts as "plastic" tells HipHopWired how she got her start, more on her latest mixtape and the latest place you can catch her on the turntables.

Find out more about DJ Smiles after the break!!! [More]

Origin: Grand Rapids, MI
Current Location: Los Angeles, California

Top Ten Playlist:

1. Aloe Blacc - I Need A Dollar
2. Gil Scott Heron - Me And The Devil
3. Onra - High Hopes
4. The Roots - Right On
5. Theophilus London - I Want You
6. Ground Up - Turn Around
7. Tabi Bonney - Nothin But a Hero
8. Mark Ronson & The Business Intl - Bang Bang Bang
9. Ana Tijoux - 1977
10. Cutty Ranks vs Cam'ron & Vado – “Limb By Tung” (Cosmo Baker & Skratch Bastid's Harlem meets Jamaica Mix)
HipHopWired: Where does your name come from? It's very unique.

DJ Smiles Davis: It came to me in a dream, riding a unicorn, wearing an ugly Christmas sweater. [Laughs] No just kidding, but it sounds much better than what really happened.
HipHopWired: How'd you get started DJIng?

DJ Smiles Davis: It's something I've always been interested in but never really had the resources to make it happen. You know start up coast ain't cheap. Luckily, I spent enough time around musicians and DJs growing up to let it soak in a little...Okay, a lot. I'd go to a friends' house and jump on his decks. You could say I was a closet DJ before my first 'public' gig which was about 3 years ago.

HipHopWired: As a female DJ, did you have any female DJ influences?

DJ Smiles Davis: None when I first started. most of the female DJs in the clubs were plastic or dressed like boys, no one I'd ever aspire to be like. Now? A Tone, my female peers who inspire me daily.

HipHopWired: Where's the last place you've spun? Do you DJ any clubs?

DJ Smiles Davis: I'm in NY now about to spin a private party, last night I was at the W in Hollywood. I'm all over the place and easy accessible on facebook, twitter...

HipHopWired: I noticed you put out Many Styles Vol.3, is that the last mixtape you put out?

DJ Smiles Davis: There's a Vol. 4 and a new series that's about to drop including a few collaborations you'll wanna look out for...

HipHopWired:Who are some of your favorite Hip-Hop artists to play?

DJ Smiles Davis: That's like asking me which child do I love more. the answer to that question changes by the minute.

HipHopWired: Okay, then who are some of the Hip-Hop artists you've worked with?

DJ Smiles Davis: Well, I've been blessed to open up for artists like Erykah Badu, Questlove, Janelle Monae, Z-Trip, and 9th Wonder just to name a few.

HipHopWired: Do you have any last words or any contact info you'd like to leave if someone were looking to get in touch with you?

DJ Smiles Davis: Google me!