Tasha Rozez may look nice behind the turntables, but her sound crew GunznRozez can draw blood in any sound clash. When she isn’t battling other DJs, Rozez travels the world, bringing together dancehall and reggae lovers.

“I’m everywhere,” she says. “I go wherever someone calls me to go … but having an international sound is not something I chose. If I get a call abroad, I’m going to take it, you know? That’s just the nature of the business for me ever since I started in 2000. Thank God I have the chance to play in other places, not just Toronto,” she says.

Those places include Germany, Japan and even Hungary — and each country’s preference is as distinct as the people who live there. For example, Rozez says Japan loves fast music to dance to, while Germany has a calmer vibe. “I went to a club in Japan called Caribbean Sundays and I swore I was in Kingston, Jamaica because it was so authentic,” she says. “I had a clash over in Germany in December and one of the reasons I didn’t do well is because I talked too fast and they couldn’t understand. They’re used to a very slow pace and that’s just them.”

Speaking of musical preferences, Rozez says she’s excited for this year’s crop of summer hits that are bound to make their way into sound systems for Toronto’s Carnival weekend. “Carnival, of course, is soca time so you’ve got to get up on the new Machel Montano and all those new things. But Jamaica is also turning it up with that fusion of dancehall and hip-hop. There are so many summertime songs coming out right now from Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel and Toronto’s Eyesus. It’s going to be a fun summer for music.”

Aside from getting to enjoy the latest sounds, getting to touch people with her music is what Rozez enjoys most about her profession. It’s been that way since she used to experiment with the turntables while socializing with artists like reggae act Lindo P. And while she admits the very male-dominated industry is difficult to conquer, it will never stop her from bringing quality sound to the global masses.

“I get to play music, that’s what I love,” she says. “I get to mash up the dance. I love when I’m finished playing and a guy says, ‘I’ve never seen anything like you before!’ And he has this look on his face like he’s seen an alien. That’s what I like. It feels really good to see people partying and to know you’re actually making their night fun.”

Related Articles:

• No Related Articles currently available...