Although it is not uncommon to see a female mixing it up these days, when DJ D was on the come up this definitely was not the case:
"'Manning' the turntables in hip-hop seems to be just that, with female DJs still rarely seen in the public eye." (MTV Music Television Screen Magazine, 2005)

Having come up during a time where the rnb hip hop club scene was - simply put - male dominated, DJ D describes challenges faced as a female trying to make it in the scene: "Looking back to my early days as one of Australia's first female R&B and hip-hop DJs, I did feel a sense of oppression as promoters were hesitant in hiring a female, as one, they weren't sure how a club crowd would react to this and two, they doubted the skills a female could possess." (Urban Hitz Magazine, 2005)

This also meant that in many cases DJ D was regarded as the ‘first female DJ’ to perform in that space:
"It's DJ D who will take the title of first female r&b DJ to play in Canberra" (BMA, 2002)

More recently DJ D shared her thoughts with Howl & Echoes on how her role has changed:
"After over two decades as a female DJ/Turntablist in the music industry (and almost three since my first gig!) The reason for doing what I do has changed over that time.

Initially it was to fill a void in the urban scene that was purely male dominated at the time, which provided the challenge of being accepted as a female behind the decks by crowds, promoters and peers in the industry. At the same time, it handed me a number of accolades such as first female DJ/Turntablist to perform in various spaces around the globe.

Today, with more and more females behind the decks, my purpose is two-fold: to help the next-generation of DJs build skills and understand the more traditional ways & approaches to this art; secondly, to ensure turntablism remains a thriving art form, and that our newer generations are exposed to and experience it in it’s true form" (Howl & Echoes, 2016)


Club-Goer Quotes

"Urban Lush @ Minc... went loco sat night: with DJ D, DJT & MC Camielle showin tha crowd these sistas know how to rock tha party!" (txt review in slm magazine Sydney, 2003)

"The Aussie Day Playaz Ball was sweet, Dj D was fantastic..." (Perth Partygoer, 2003)

"she was amazing. I'll take my hat off to her any day." (Perth Partygoer, 2003)

"DJ D BOW DOWN AND BLESS SHE ROCKED THE DECKS WITH THIS HUGE AMOUNT OF ENERGY THAT SEEMED TO GROW INTO THE CROWD AND TAKE OVER THE CLUB. EVERONE WHO MET HER WHILE WE WALKED THROUGH THE CROWD WERE ALL IN ORE JUST WANTIN TO SHAKE HER HAND AND GIVE HER A HUG I HAD PPL JUST ASKIN TO MEET HER ALL NIGHT AND WHEN THEY DID IT WAS LIKE THEY MET GOD OR SOMETHING IT WAS FUNNY.
IT WAS GOOD THE WAY SHE INTERACTED WITH THE CROWD THEY ALL JUST WANTED TO MEET HER. A GIRL ON THE DECKS THAT WAS IT FOR THEM. SORRY BOYS AS MUCH AS I LOVE YALL UR SETS WERE DOPE ASWELL BUT IT DEFIANTLY BECAME ALL ABOUT DJ D. THAT NIGHT WAS DEFIANTLY HERS." (On Point Promotions, 2003)