In an exclusive chat with The Pioneer’s Shikha Duggal, DJ Nina Shah, who had recently performed at the Dior’s pre-fall fashion show, discusses the profession of DJ, the challenges she’d overcome, and more
The in-demand and genre-blending DJ Nina Shah has been jet-setting around the globe, and a little back when she was seen performing for Dior’s pre-fall fashion show held in our country for the first time. Her creative horizons are boundless, opened for international artists like David Guetta, and Afrojack too — so she’s a known genre hopping DJ making new waves.
When she shared experiences of playing at 007 James Bond launch where The Royal family was also present, we were enchanted. “It was ten years ago when I started DJing, and the profession has just kept on developing and so on. DJing is like the reflection of life. Now with the advent of technology, there is so much more that you can do with the profession of DJ.”
There has been so many life-changing events happening for her, and she’s always playing with the hope that it will bring more joy to her listeners. A fair share of challenges were very relevant in her life — “I was judged so much more initially, there was so much more to prove for me to the world. During my first performance set, was feeling so nerve wrecking: I had to build my confidence all over again before a live audience. A mistake, and you are exposed. Most of the time I was highly strung.”
It was difficult for her to earn her place in this industry but as experience came by, Nina when she started opening for bigger artists in her career—she wasn’t one of those easily frightened ones, instead so spellbound. “When I play for even more bigger artists, the spectator’s energy doubles. I look up to David Guetta, to open for him was so inspirational. Those moments in my life are the so needed memories for a DJ. I am going from strength to strength in this profession with the commercial success. Now dream to land on a coveted spot as one of the first’s sort of. Writing a tonne of music and meeting loads of amazing artists way during the journey is so cool about what I do.”
Seems like her manifestations were real, “Now whatever we do with DJing is so visual! Back in the days everything was only sound. Now there is an amalgamation. There is no need for me to carry the baggage of so many CDs or a laptop along. A pen drive will do! I am fighting for the opportunities I feel I deserve.”
When the Dior pre-fall show came up, she didn’t know what was she she supposed to do. She explains, “When I understood the context, built a DJ set that I personally favour which is a groovy mix at a vortex space! Because it was a fashion show, I had to keep it very vocal driven too. Most of the celebrities present at the event were so mercantile. I started to merge the two worlds into a fine line. Added some folk top lines from my culture too when in India! Little bit of “desiness” (she laughs heartily).”
And the rest is history. DJing for some of the biggest up-and-coming hip-hop artists, all while hustling and advocating for herself Nina Shah is able to follow her dreams and make timeless memories in the meantime.
