Krissy's global DJ career includes commanding sets from Miami to Ibiza and a decade at Kool FM. In 2008, Krissy founded the DJ&MC Academy, driven by a passion to connect people through music. Pioneering a revolutionary mobile outreach van, she brought the rhythm directly to communities.
How long have you resided in Haringey, and in which part of the borough do you live?
I was born in the Finsbury Park area and moved to Wood Green at a young age, attending Earlham Primary School which I have fond memories of. I’m an Enfield girl now but at the DJ&MC Academy we do lots of work in Haringey and have some hubs like the Grange, just off Tottenham High Road that we are really proud of. We built it for the young people of the Love Lane estate. They were desperate for a recording studio, so we worked with Northside Community Connections who found us some funding, and the young people helped us build it and put it together. Now we have a state-of-the-art recording studio for the young people to enjoy and learn about making music.
As a creative and activist, how has Haringey influenced you?
I’ve been hanging around Haringey since I was a child. Wood Green, Tottenham High Road, Alexandra Palace…. I remember going to discos at Alexandra Palace as a child and thinking I want to be up there as the DJ who plays the music.
There are a lot of influences and amazing partners in Haringey. Having been a professional DJ since the age of 18 I’ve done a lot of events in the borough, and we had our first office space and creative hub next to Tottenham Town Hall, building close links with nearby Bernie Grant Arts Centre.
A lot of the young people we work with are tutors and youth ambassadors are from Tottenham. It’s a really creative and inspiring place.
What is your definition of a rebel?
I think I’m definitely a rebel. I’m a rebel with a cause. To be a rebel is to be a bit out there, be a bit wild, creative and passionate but to always have a good cause behind what you do.
What’s the best careers advice you’ve received?
Always do something that you love, and then it will never feel like a job. Everybody has a passion, whatever they might be into. I used to work as a hostel manager at a local authority for many years, but I was also a DJ – so I had my career, but my music was my passion that would get me through every day. If you have a passion it can become your career. You’ve always got to go the extra mile, but it will never feel like a job if you find something you truly love.
When and where do you feel at your most powerful?
When I’m out on the DJ van on the estates, engaging the hardest to reach young people who take a lot of time to get to know us. And when you really feel like you’ve made a connection and you get to see their creative sparks – I feel you really get to see the best of everybody and it really melts my heart and makes me really happy and makes me feel it’s all worthwhile. And when I see a young person turn a corner and really start achieving when they’ve been struggling in school settings. I really feel at my happiest when I see people achieving and go on to do more and more.
What would be a dream contribution to Haringey’s year as the London Borough of Culture?
I’d love to get a new DJ van and have that outside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. I’d like to hold street parties and showcase up-and-coming talent, as well as speakers – real inspirational events with different people from the industry. To have it all along the High Road and around Tottenham Town Hall with live streams to allow a global audience to be inspired and get involved.
What’s the funniest thing you’ve heard or read about yourself that isn’t true?
Some of the young people we work with say I’m quite strict. I think that’s because I’m a perfectionist, but I’m definitely a big softie at heart.
What is your favourite hidden Haringey gem?
Bruce Castle – I love it! Not everyone knows about it if they are not local. We were in the tower for the first time a few weeks ago when we did a boiler room style set as part of Castle Lates. I’d never been in there before, I didn’t even know it had power - there are so many possibilities for how to use the space. The park overall is such a lovely setting and there is so much to do.
Which other Haringey creative would you spotlight and why?
Streetz Ahead – I’ve known Elizabeth there for years. They’ve been providing dance tuition within schools for over 30 years which is fantastic and a real credit to them. They do so much to encourage young people to dance and get active.
Join Krissy and other inspirational women at Her Sound on Thursday 13 March, an event she is organising as part of Haringey’s Women’s History Month programme to celebrate women in music and the creative industries.
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