Musician, singer and Spanish radio
DJ Rashida was born in Los Angeles, California but grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. Her father gave her the name Rashida, taken after Jon Lucien's album with the same title. She attended Atlanta College of Art and took up a course in fine arts and photography. During her teenage years, she was frequently seen at hip-hop and bass clubs and at dancehall spots. Even in her college days, she danced till dawn at deep house gatherings and at drum and bass parties.
After constantly exposing herself to music, she eventually took an interest in mixing. In 1998, she bought turntables and inherited her father's record collection. In 2000, she bought and sold house, jungle and broken beats for a local record store named More Dusty Than Digital. From these, she was able to compile her own groove and hip-hop collection. Soon after, she was guest for a local college radio station. She also worked at 1027, a local club. She played at Frank 151 parties and even had the opportunity to open up for Maseo of De La Soul.
Upon graduating from college in 2002, Rashida returned to Los Angeles and pursued her career. She worked as a DJ for Temple Bar in Santa Monica, where she opened up for Afrika Bambaataa, KRS-One, Omar, Raphael Saadiq and Eric Roberson. She also spins at Little Temple, Zanzibar and House of Blues on Sunset Strip. In H.O.B, she opened for The Roots, Jill Scott and Faith Evans. There, she also met pop musician Prince and this paved the way for her career. Rashida became Prince's “go-to” DJ. Since then, she has played for prestigious parties like the Golden Globe, Grammy and Oscars.
Rashida can be seen as host on MTV's talent search
Randy Jackson Presents:
America's Best Dance Crew ; where hip-hop dance groups from all over US compete for the prize money and for the opportunity to be given a touring contract.
(Photo courtesy of MTV)