This musical prodigy taught herself to master the art of turntable science at a young age. In her teens, DJ Maya was introduced to The Almighty Goldstone Sound from Brooklyn, who primarily spun reggae and who influenced her music and entrepreneurial vision. Soon after, she became a major catalyst and in the formation of one of the earliest all-female sounds, Lady Stone, as well as the main ingredient in its sound and success. Lady Stone is not only remembered as a female sound, but also as an important page in the story of how Brooklyn’s reggae turntable movement evolved from “foundation” days to now. Fans will recall Lady Stone headlining landmark clubs such as Warehouse, Culture Club, Elite Ark, Club Large, just to name a few. When Lady Stone parted ways a few years later, Maya, who had become a turntable veteran both artistically & business-wise, saw the opportunity to prove herself as a solo Dj who could earn even greater success than before.
Maya carries the torch for females, for NY, and for hip hop/Caribbean music when she travels to other states and countries to Dj.
Why is she so sought after? DJ Maya is unique and fearless. Her mixtapes and turntable catalogue are reflections of a diverse ethnic background and experience: she is of Caribbean, Indian, and Latin heritage and grew up listening to just about everything. “My music is very versatile! I might go from calypso to dancehall to hip hop to oldies to latin to chutney to culture reggae. I am not a one-genre Dj. I like to make my mixtapes fun,” she says, proudly.
Unlike many established Djs, Maya is still willing to take risks by searching for new, underground talent and featuring them in her catalogue and mixtapes. “I spin any type of music from an unknown artist that I think is hot without worrying about who heard of the artist or not. Basically, I like to help out upcoming artists in anyway I can, as long as they have the talent. I dont follow other djs out there who play it safe by only messing with known artists,” says Maya, passionately.
