Moving back to New York in 08 has had it’s challenges but has been very rewarding.

Most people who come to my site now don’t know that I started off as topic driven blogger 4 years ago (who had the long posts lol). I always had the moniker DJ Diva before I started blogging.  I started spinning music to make extra money to support my decision to finish my degree. I was blessed to have a steady gig before I had equipment. This fact always makes me smile.

In 2009 I have been blessed to have the opportunity to be able to go back to the school and finish my quest for a Ph.D in English. Those of you who have met me in person, know that I talk of nothing but my research and fascination with my dissertation topic.

In 2008 I picked up a new computer..with a new program I had never used before…and with the skills I already had…managed to pump out over 50 mixtapes. None of them are the same. I have barely repeated songs with the exception of The DJ Diva’s Best of 2008. I think I lived up to my moniker of DJ Diva-The Mixtress of R&B  (Top downloads shown below)

Old School Artists Showcases:

Monday Mixtape: Barry White “The Icon Of Love”

The JayMoney Prince Workout Mix

Concept Mixtapes:

Soul Christmas

Monday Mixtape: 80 Smooth Grooves Vol. 3

Monday Mixtape: Vh1 Honors of 2008

Monday Mixtape Classic House Music

New Music:

Monday Mixtape: November Swerve

Monday Mixtape Back To School

Monday Mixtape: The Sasha Fierce/Beyonce Mix

I even did a mixtape for Obama!

I’ve even been featured here and there:

The Best Albums Round Table (BART) 2008

Incognegro 1.75

Songs In The Key Of Life

Rhythms in Black Satin

The Music Lounge

DJMixtapez

welcome to camp lo-fi…

I became the fourth most followed person in Harlem on Twitter

Needless to say I have been very proud of myself.

Being the perfectionist that I aim to be, 2009 also brings the opportunity to expand my hobby of DJaying more thoroughly. I say hobby because while it is one of the talents I have: my JOB is to take care of my family and reach the first goal of becoming a professor of Urban Literature, The Harlem Renaissance and Shakespeare. The great thing is now I can combine the experience of creating these free podcasts with my equipment and begin to combine the two to make extra cash and to have a good time. Most of you should know by now that I love to have a good time.

Where does that leave The Mixtress?

I can’t leave my girl behind. She is my baby and I worked hard to get her up and running. I have received a lot of love on the site and while most of my readers over at djdiva.blogspot.com haven’t made the jump with me, my traffic has consistently grown based on the mixes alone. I feel as if I am shortchanging these readers with a once a week mix and nothing else to do when they get to my site. In 2009 I plan to upgrade her in time for her first year anniversary. There will be other changes: adding more new music downloads, more new artists spotlights/interviews and of course the Monday Mixtape.

I know this may seem overwhelming to some but 2009 is about work for me. Work toward my job as a wife, and mother. Work to achieve my lifetime goals. And work to expand my talents.

But it’s good work. As Mos Def says in Champion Requiem:

And my work is personal, I’m a workin person
I put in work, I work with purpose

What are you gonna do for 2009?

I been spending a lot of time over at Twitter. I chat with some of the best in the podcasting world : EJ Flavors, Fave, Todd Kelley, Mr. Fresh, Darren Keith and Honey Soul. That’s not in any particular order but they are all at the top of their game. EJ being my mentor. By mentor I mean he had no problem reaching out to me and sending me tips and help. These guys have been giving me shoutouts and props in their awesome podcasts and I’m just as humbled as can be! I’ve met and reconnected with many people like Amneris and RPM. One of my newer folks is JayMoney. He’s a techie and does live shows which could provide great knowledge. The Prince workout started out like this:

JayMoney- @dj_diva I think someone..hint hint should produce a mixed tap just for workouts, like so many mins of speed then slow down then speed..lol 04:49 PM January 16, 2008 from web in reply to dj_diva

Anyon who knows me knows that I am the biggest Prince fan on the earth.

Disclaimer:
I own all of these songs and more so Prince bet not step to me!

Well I have been wanting to start podcasting for mad long. I have been posting mixtapes in the form of short lived radio blogs and extensive playlists. Lately I have taken the route of Imeem Playlists…and those are cool. But my wonderful husband got us a new laptop because my old one died….and lo and behold I had enough space for DJ mixing software. The request was just what I needed to try it out for something worthwhile. Because you see…JayMoney said in exchange he would give me a new layout. I think you all would agree I need one. That’s why I love Twitter…you can connect with so many different people. Trade is a beautiful thing peoples…

I’m a little rusty and I’m working some kinks out…I’m kinda tired so I didn’t record an intro..not to mention Prince is hard as hell to mix because all of his songs begin very distinctively… but here because of the @JayMoney challenge…I present to you

The Prince WorkOut Mix

It’s my first one so please be gentle in the comments LOL