by: Ade Guobadia

“Who or what do I COSIGN? It can be anything? Tacos! I COSIGN THE SHIT OUT OF TACOS. I’m on a mission to find the best taco in Dallas and I think I’m close.”

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, 23 year-old Christy Ray has relocated to Dallas in search of more than just authentic Mexican treats. In addition to tracking down the tastiest taco our city has to offer, she’s carving out her own space as a talented and well-respected DJ.

“In April, I did the All Drake Everything party. Jon Stewart, whose also a really great DJ, producer, etc.; he does these parties on Sundays at Club Dada and sometimes RBC, and they’re concentrated on one artist. He knows how much I love Drake and he asked me to DJ the Drake one with him. It was just so amazing! It was before his album came out but it was right when everybody could tell he was getting ready to drop it, so there was a lot of excitement there. It was packed out at RBC and it was just good energy.”

With sets at some of the most popular music events of Summer ’16, it’s safe to say she’s hit the Dallas DJ scene with a bang: All Drake Everything, Blame it on the Rain, a monthly at Beauty Bar and a weekly at Deep Ellum’s Off the Record. DJ Christy is doing extremely well and she’s only just getting started.

“I just put in my 2 weeks at work 2 weeks ago so this is like my second or third day of being completely unemployed outside of DJing,” she said. “It’s kind of funny cuz right after I put in my 2 weeks I got asked to be in this video and I got booked for this gig. During that time I just got all these opportunities which showed me that I’m probably going in the right direction so far. It is scary but I just also feel excited because I’m finally doing something I love to do and I’m excited to see where it goes. From all the gigs and opportunities I’ve gotten so far it seems like I’m headed in the right direction with wherever I’m going.”

For many up and coming artists, the moment they decide to quit their everyday jobs to pursue their creative endeavors is just as terrifying as it is exhilarating. Terrifying, as you are now operating without a financial safety net. Exhilarating, because you’ve forced yourself to pursue your passion whole-heartedly. For Christy Ray, it seems the jump towards a full-fledged DJ career and away from the security a “regular” job offers, and mirrors her quest to find freedom from security in other aspects of her life. Namely, in her relationship with her mother, legendary DJ Spinderella.

“I was worried at first because I thought people would look at me and just see her. I’ve been really happy to notice that I’ve just been doing a lot of this stuff outside of her. She’s gone all the time now because she’s on the ‘I Love the ‘90s Tour,’ so I’m here doing all these things and she doesn’t even know. She’s like ‘oh you have another party, another gig, this and that!’” she says. “It’s working. I’m doing what I want to do which is making my own path, my own way, outside of her.”

To keep up with Christy Ray follow her on Twitter and IG: @christyyray

Photo: DJ Blake Ward