That Pennie was the internal DJ at POPSUGAR’s women empowerment occasion straightens perfectly with her history: she’s functioned as a style stylist, she acts as the official DJ for Dior Beauty, and also– in the extremely male-dominated areas of electronic dancing songs and audio design– Pennie’s main objective is to raise as well as promote female artists.
I met Nikki Pennie at POPSUGAR Play/Ground in June, where she was spinning all-female music all weekend.
Later on this Summer, the self-proclaimed “She-J” is launching a six-song EP of EDM; she explains her audio as “a mix between Flume as well as stylish Skrillex.” One of the tracks is an EDM cover of “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life” called “Last Night a SheJ Saved My Life.” All of the tracks include up-and-coming women singers, including Edei, Leslie Powell, Sissy Clemens, and Quinn Archer. “The tracks are girl-power dancing anthems,” Pennie says happily.
Pennie moved from London to Los Angeles regarding eight years back, where she functioned as a stylist for Issa. “Randomly, I got asked by a few brand names to DJ,” Pennie remembers. “I went to dinner with some friends of mine that operate in the DJ world, and also I was like, ‘Guys I’ve obtained supplied these tasks as well as I don’t recognize how to DJ.'” They placed Pennie in touch with a prominent British songs producer named Dave Garnish, who was involving Los Angeles to train DJs. The serendipitous timing enabled Pennie to find her advisor and spend a few months apprenticing under Garnish.
Pennie started doing tiny occasions and also located she had special ability for reading an area. That, incorporated with her producing chops, caused her DJing events all over the globe within six months.”This was all of a sudden my major source of income, which I never ever thought would happen,” Pennie claims.
It probably comes as not a surprise to any person that Pennie experienced obstacles as a lady prospering in a male-dominated field. “It was difficult at first, due to the fact that I got a great deal of reaction from male sound engineers, as well as I still get backlash from male DJs. I believe they believed I got ahead because I remain in a pretty outfit at glamorous celebrations.” Pennie recognizes her sh * t: “When I speak concerning creating with other men in the field, they can’t think my knowledge.”
In 2016, she obtained the gig as Dior Beauty DJ. In addition to working as a brand name ambassador, she DJs Dior occasions and goes to Fashion Week shows. “I had not been into make-up previously, now I’m a complete addict,” Pennie claims. She specifically loves the new, much more budget-friendly Dior Backstage line As Dior Lip Glow ($34), which is excellent for keeping her lips hydrated while DJing considering that she can apply it without a mirror.
While she’s a recent convert to charm, Pennie has constantly enjoyed songs. As a kid, she played the recorder, piano, as well as violin, as well as her all-time favored musicians are– unsurprisingly– all women: Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Adele, Amy Winehouse, and the Spice Girls. She additionally inclines girl-power anthems like “Unstoppable” by Sia and also “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyoncé.
After POPSUGAR Play/Ground, Pennie jetted off to DJ at The Girls Lounge at Cannes Lions. “I enjoy belonging of points that are so female-empowering where you fulfill many amazing ladies,” she claims.