Meet Melissa Jade, the DJ who is breaking into an industry that has traditionally been male-dominated and bringing her own flair to the turntables. As one of the standout acts set to perform at KLAT Magazine’s creative link-up, Melissa is keen to deliver energy, excitement, and a vibe of her own. Despite being a newcomer, her sets offer genres that range from R&B and hip-hop to amapiano and afrohouse.

For Melissa, music has always been a part of her life. “Whether it was learning instruments, performing at school concerts, or just immersing myself in different sounds, music is the one thing I can’t live without,” she explains. She’s always had an eclectic musical taste, which she says has influenced her DJing style, making it varied and unpredictable. “Many DJs will conform to one sound or style, but I like the idea of being unpredictable and different.”

After spending years following DJs and curating transition ideas in her phone’s notes app, it finally clicked—why not give it a go herself? “I always watched tons of DJ content and thought of so many transitions that I just had to try it for myself,” she recalls. Now, she’s making her presence felt in a male-dominated industry, embracing her love for eclectic sounds while carving out her own space.

With her upcoming performance at KLAT’s creative link-up at Sustainable Studios in Cardiff, Melissa is most excited about the connections she’ll be making. “I’m really looking forward to meeting more people in the music field, especially some familiar local faces. Plus, some of my closest friends who haven’t seen me DJ will be there, so I can’t wait for them to experience what I’ve been working on.”

For her, creating the right vibe is crucial, especially at networking events like this. “Music can set the tone for everything, so I want to create a warm, inviting atmosphere where people feel engaged and ready to connect.” Her preparation for this event is all about crafting a welcoming vibe, choosing tracks that dabble in R&B, hip-hop, amapiano, and afrohouse to keep the energy relaxed but ‘vibey.’

One of the highlights of her budding career was her debut set at the Diff Vibes Jamaican Independence event at District. “I always hoped to play at events, but I never thought it would happen so soon. No one tells you how nerve-wracking it is going from bedroom DJing to playing live in front of a crowd,” she admits. But the thrill of performing live has only fueled her drive to keep growing as an artist.

Balancing her full-time job as a primary school teacher with DJing has its challenges, but Melissa stays focused on her own journey. “It’s tough not to compare yourself to DJs who’ve been in the game for years. I just remind myself you can’t run before you walk,” she says. The balancing act between teaching and DJing is tricky, but she’s taking her time, learning as she goes. “I had to turn down a set at London Fashion Week, which was tough, but I’m not rushing this process. I’m enjoying it and having fun.”

When asked what genre gets her hyped, Melissa is quick to point to amapiano. “My friends know that if amapiano is playing, I’m vibing,” she laughs. But her sets are anything but one-dimensional—she’s all about tailoring her music to the crowd and keeping things fresh. “What gets a crowd hyped really depends on who the crowd is,” she says, highlighting her versatile approach to crafting her sets to it’s audiences.

Being a female DJ in a male-dominated space isn’t easy, but Melissa is determined to change that. “There’s definitely a need for more local female DJs, especially British ones who play Afro-Caribbean genres. It’s almost unheard of right now, but I’m hoping to be part of that shift.” Her advice to other women looking to break into the scene? “Just go for it. It’s intimidating, but the industry needs more female voices.”

Looking ahead, Melissa is excited to keep building her skills and growing as a DJ. While her teaching career limits the time she can commit to DJing, she’s not in a rush. “I’m enjoying the journey and just having fun with it.”

Read more Music stories from KLATMAG

Creative Direction & Styling by Angelina Mablé @Angelina.esi.m

Photography by Taiye Omokore @taiye_omokore

Written by Angel Joanne Okonkwo