I finished my project in Seattle. I am back to the hustle of New York City.

Going Back to Cali

I have been in LA for the past two days. I needed to get some sun. In addition, GoodGirlPR had an event at the Ivar located in Hollywood. I opened for DJ Rampage. All I have to say is that I need to focus more on the craft. I have the business side down. I think I have been so focused on getting organized that I have not been practicing as much as I used to in the past. I feel guilty when I don't practice. Some DJs brag about not practicing, but that's nothing to brag about. The best DJs still practice, and I want to be one of the best. I have a long way to until I reach my goal. I am enjoying my evolution as a DJ, and I appreciate all the guidance long the way. It is truly challenging, and I am so elated that I overcame my fear to become a DJ.

We Can!

Today, I cried. I cried because I am truly happy and blessed. Often in my blog, I talk about my goals, and my firm belief that goals can be achieved through action and consistency. Barack Obama is our President Elect. We can no longer have excuses or blame others for our mishaps or misfortune. If America elected a Black man as President of the United States, then we all can achieve our dreams. You must try through fear! People will hate and stand in your way. The same mentality exists in every culture-it is simply human nature. My point is that you should not let obstacles obstruct you. Barriers are the building blocks of your strength, and you must embrace them as you focus relentlessly.

I continue to surround myself around positive people. I do not tolerate negativity. I have no time for pettiness, drama, or insecure people. I just want to work hard and enjoy life. I'm learning not to care what anyone thinks. Each day, I continue to try, learn, and to evolve into a better person. I will never stop trying, and I recommend everyone do the same.

Sleeping in Seattle

I am in Seattle, working on a project. I have been here for two weeks, and I am so relaxed. When I am in New York, I am in a frenzy. I'm literally crazed. I will head back to New York at the end of the month. I have a photo shoot with K Foxx on the 25th, and the 2nd Annual Ghost Ball on 10/31.

Seattle is a beautiful city, and the restaurants are excellent. I admit I have gained at least 5 pounds since I have been out here. I have to focus. In fact, after I relax for another hour, I'm jogging for an hour before I hit the street.

The DJs out here are dope! I will be practicing with Dv One while I am out here. He helped create the Rane Serato mixer. It's time that I step my game up. I don't want to be like every other female DJ. I want to be better.

Last night, I went bowling. I rolled strike after strike. Then all of a sudden, bowling turned into a competition among the other bowlers, and strikes became few and far between. My point is I was having the game of my life and could have easily scored 200 points, but I let the competition get into my head, and I lost focus. I can't do that again.

The Beat Goes On

This week has been quite eventful. After the "Back to the '90s Event" was over, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. The following day, I attended the VH1 Hip Honors Ceremony. I received two tickets to attend the event. As usual, I arrived late, and the line was down the block. I approached one of the Viacom security guards, and I mentioned that I worked with Brent Redstone-the son of the Sumner Redstone who owns Viacom, and he walked me right into the event. My first year of law school, I had two jobs. One of which was at a firm with Brent Redstone, and he gave me a job at Viacom while I was in law school.

The VH1 Hip-Hop Honors in 2007 was much better than this year. It seems like "New Hip-Hop" was at the Hammerstein Ballroom, but I just have not gotten into the new Hip-Hop generation yet-I am not quite sold yet.

On Friday, I took the day off, and I partied at the Mercury Bar where there was good music all day, and I enjoyed libations throughout the night! Friday was a good night.

The Hip-Hop Cultural Center invited me to be a guest at the Female Rapathon. Honestly, I thought I was going to be panelist because I have so much to say and feel that I would have a strong impact on the youth, but they wanted me to DJ (as if! lol). After I got on the turntables, I immediately headed to the "The Red Alert Tribute" at Drom located in the heart of the West Village. I, along with GoodGirlPR, assisted The Justo Mixtape Awards with the planning of the event. As I walked into the venue, I reminisced back to 1992 when I heard Red Alert for the first time on the radio. Back then I never imagined that I would be at at an event filled with Hip-Hop legends, and they would know who I am-DJ Nickiee. You can never foresee the future, but you can be proactive in obtaining your dreams. I had the opportunity to DJ because SuperStar Jay had to leave early, but I missed out on a great opportunity. I learned a very valuable lesson that I should always have my DJ equipment (my Serato box and records, RCAs, needles, headphones, extra power cord, extension cord) on me.

Here is a picture of me with my new look (I needed a change):



A new element of the blog will include music. This section of the blog will be called, "In DJ Nickiee Ears". As you know, I am a multi-faceted DJ. I can rock anywhere from a fashion party to a hood party so my music recommendations will run the gamete.

In DJ Nickiee's Ears

New Music

Cassie - Unofficial Girl

Ne-Yo & Jadakiss - By Your Side

Music Flashback

Jadakiss - By Your Side

HOT 80s

Animotion - Obsession

VH1 Hip Hop Honors Pre-party @ Volstead, October 1st

As you know, I started a PR company, along with Olivia Baltimore. Our first event was on October 1, 2008 at the Volstead. The party was in conjunction with TLAPR, DJ Shogun, Thermal Soundwaves, and the Justo Mixtape Awards. We grinded really hard for this event, and the line was literally down the block:




The party was overwhelming. We had difficulty finding a venue for this party because New York venues are not supportive of the hip-hop movement even if it's a quality crowd. The venue pretty much shut our event down at 9:30pm.

Notables in the building were DJ Premier, Ed Lover, AZ, Brand Nubian, and it was rumored that Kanye West drove by and other VIPs, but the door was unbearable. Here are some pictures from the event:

DJ Nickiee on the Turntables



DJ Shogun



Rahzel and DJ Premier



Brand Nubian (Alamo)



AZ



Kendall Holt, WBO Light Welterweight Champion



Nina B



Other Pics










The party had a cool vibe, and everyone enjoyed themselves! The next event is on October 31st, 2008-The Ghost Ball hosted by Thomas Jones.

The Month At a Glance

I have not written in my blog for a while. I have been so busy. I got a new assistant. She is really dope, but I need two more, seriously.

As you know, I was starting an event planning company which my partner named after himself. I still agreed to be a partner which shows how humble I am, but I decided to back out of it because my partner didn't respect my opinion, and whenever I gave a suggestion he would knock it down. I think my partner wanted to be in control. He needed to be a sole proprietor, instead. Next...

Partnerships are important to me because I realize that you can only do so much by yourself. Successful people are surrounded by a team and everybody plays their position. After this experience, I asked around to see what makes a successful partnership. No one had an answer, but someone referred me to a book written by the partners of Amway-duly noted.

I was extremely disappointed about the event planning company when another DJ suggested that I start a PR company since I have done such a great job promoting myself. In law school, career counselors often referred to public relations as an alternative career to practicing law.

I learned a hard lesson. I hired a PR company, and they were full of shit-taking me to events that I can get into by myself. In fact, one time, I had to get my non-aggressive PR rep into a party. I'm trying to go to Sundance not a DSA Media event. WTF!! Why did I hire them-I could do a better job.

I took the DJs advice and started a PR Company. A good friend of mine mentioned that she was doing PR for models so I asked her to be a partner. Then there was another young lady who I have socialized with over the past year-very articulate and presentable so I asked her to be the other partner.

Over the past month, I have been trying to guide my assistant, and delegate duties to partners in order to make this company successful. Our first event is on 10/1 and it has truly been a test. The weak links were exactly who I thought they were, and they failed 10 days before the event. Why? They didn't listen or think reasonably, always had an excuse, and could not handle guidance or criticism.

By no means am I perfect, and I have made mistakes but one thing that I realize is when someone's heart is not into something they always have a excuse as to why they can't complete a simple task. e.g. "I'm sick", "I can't", or "I don't know." I have no time for bullshitters. I bullshitted in Corporate America because my heart was not in it so I know bullshit excuses-I used to use those excuses above including "I didn't get the email." and "My computer is slow". I have no time for people who fail before they start. The bottom line is let's get the job done, and we don't take "no" for an answer. I love the hustle, and I work through thick and thin, rain or shine, and even if I have the sniffles.

I refuse to have a company that doesn't meet deadlines and is not relentless in achieving client goals! The majority of black businesses that I encounter are full of shit. I am not going to be one of them.

You know it is truly hard being a woman in this industry. I am feeling the struggle. A industry co-worker emailed me and said, "You are an ambitious girl, but..." Girl? This is coming from a 24 year old male from the suburbs who is an office assistant. He truly had his nerve, and I put him in his place.

Everyone should just let my team and I do us. My team roster is finalized-Jason, Olivia, TLAPR, Sharonda, Josh and Excel, and it is comprised of nerds, with stellar educations from school and/or life experience, who are gogetters who "follow through" with no excuses to the end. Don't worry about what we're doing-just do you. I can't do business with flakes anymore.

On another tip, DJing is going well for the month of September. As you know, Shogun and I, had our second installment of "Back to the 90s." I DJed at the Pristine Style Magazine Launch and Rock Me TV which were all good looks! And, save the date for October 1, 2008.

By reading this, I hope you don't think I am bitter. I'm happy. I am just tired of people wasting my time. And, from now on I am going to be very choosey with whom I choose do business.