Today we’d like to introduce you to Elara Roland.
Hi Elara, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always had a love for music and dancing. It’s always been therapeutic and relaxing even during the hype moments! My mother had a single record player in the living room, and every day after school I wanted to put on the Sugarhill Gang. Rapper’s Delight was my go-to. I loved watching music videos and Soul Train, and seeing how people reacted to the music always left me in awe. I told myself that I wanted to be a part of that. My first inspiration was seeing Spinderella. I remember thinking, She’s a female DJ?! Mind blown!
So I thought, I’m going to try it and see what happens. One day, I decided I was going to learn how to scratch and mix. Using our one record player, I gave it a shot. What I didn’t know was that scratching can mess up the needle if it’s not done correctly. I almost got chewed out by my mother! Let’s just say scratching took a back seat after that.
Fast forward to the early 2000s, when I met a friend named Ken, aka DJ Knutt. At the time, he was making mixed CDs. One day, I told him about my passion for DJing, and things took off from there. He taught me about downloading music, organizing it, and burning it onto CDs. He was also the first person to show me how to use a controller. Most DJs back then were using turntables, which I didn’t have access to. But this controller used CDs, so I was in heaven. Almost every weekend, I was hauling around this giant CD case and his controller to after-hours hangouts. My love for DJing grew instantly.
By the mid-2000s, I became part of an entertainment group where I was the host, and Monica Cheirs, aka DJ MoHeat, was our resident DJ. Once again, I found myself in awe of another female DJ—this time up close and personal. She was much more advanced than my little CD switching, so I asked her what equipment I needed to buy. I also asked if she’d be willing to teach me the next level of DJing once I was ready. At first, I was overwhelmed. It was so much more than just knowing when to press play. Now I had a laptop that let me visually see what I was playing instead of relying only on what I heard.
By March 2017, my godmother, De Barker, gave me my first official gig. Talk about being nervous! She is the 2-step and line dancing queen who has a big following. So I was super nervous.
That’s where I met the incredible duo Nikol and Joseph Straws, better known as DJ Ice Kole and DJ Joe, along with their amazing 2 The Maaxe Brand. I learned even more from them on day one. After that, opportunities started popping up left and right, and my journey as a DJ really began.
Because of the amazing individuals in my life, it has led to amazing opportunities. So many different events—from DJing festivals, FIFA Fan Fest, award ceremonies, parades, sporting games, nightclubs, restaurants, radio mixes, weddings and private events.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have definitely been struggles and challenges along the way, but I believe that’s part of pursuing anything you’re truly passionate about. Every obstacle has taught me something and made me stronger. I’ve had to learn who I could trust and who genuinely had my best interests at heart. I’ve had equipment stolen, dealt with people trying to lowball my DJ fees, and even had to chase down money I had rightfully earned. Those experiences were frustrating, but they also taught me to value myself, protect my business, and never settle for less than I deserve.
One of the things that still surprises me is how often people assume I’m much younger than I am. They speak to me differently or underestimate my experience until they learn my age. It’s interesting how quickly people judge based on appearance. Over time, I’ve realized that experience isn’t measured by how old you look—it’s measured by the work you’ve put in, the obstacles you’ve overcome, and the passion you bring every time you step behind the DJ booth.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I like to read the room. When it comes to DJing, you have to take people on a journey. Whether it’s hip-hop or pop, your job is to keep the vibe flowing from one song to the next.
You never know what people are going through or what emotions they’re carrying with them, and music has the power to shift someone’s mindset, even if it’s just for a moment. That’s why it’s rare for me to have a set playlist. Most of the time, I start with one song and let the energy of the crowd guide me from there.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice would simply be to do your research. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and surround yourself with like-minded people. Invest in yourself and your business. I’m not saying you have to buy every new gadget that comes out, but don’t be afraid to upgrade every now and then.
I like to stay very organized, but when I first started, I didn’t know to buy extra cords or other backup equipment, so I occasionally had to borrow things. At the time, I only had the basics. Thankfully, I had some great friends who came through for me when I needed them most
Contact Info:
- Instagram: DJ Baby Boi KC
- Facebook: DJ Baby Boi KC
