Cover Ashley Lau (Photo: Ferragamo)
Ashley Lau (Photo: Ferragamo)
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Musically astute with a killer sense of style, these Southeast Asian female DJs have the winning formula
The tables have turned. Once an all-boys club, the DJ scene is seeing more and more women staking their claim. In South Korea, DJs such as Peggy Gou, TOKiMONSTA and Yaeji are some of the coolest names in the scene. Plus, they are also style icons.
Now, a new generation of Southeast Asian female DJs are on the rise. No longer confined within the darkened four walls of clubs, they are highly sought after by major brands to liven up events and parties with their rocking playlists and sense of style.
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Here's a list of the most fashionable female DJs in Southeast Asia.
1. No-Tep
Note Panayanggool, or No-Tep, is an artist, musician and conservationist based in Thailand. She is a regular DJ at Wonderfruit Festival, with sets featuring dark melodic techno, experimental house sound, and groovy electronic beats looped with her own vocals.
She has also branched out into different forms of visual arts, reiki and sound healing to enrich her listeners' spiritual experience.
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2. Christi McGarry
Christi McGarry is a Failipino-American DJ who is also a model, a TV personality, and founder of fitness and lifestyle brand, Impack. As part of DJ duo Xidu Music, she spins tracks for Manila Community Radio, resort nights, Louis Vuitton and Dior.
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3. Levi Oi
Born and raised in Berlin, Levi Oi is a Vietnamese DJ who moved to Saigon at the end of 2018. Known for her deep house vibes and infectious melodic tunes, she hosts her own music events and underground nights around Vietnam including Arcan and Warehouse.
You'll find her shuttling between Hanoi and Saigon, DJ-ing for music festivals and luxury fashion brands such as Hermes, Gucci and Chanel.
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4. Ashley Lau
Tattoo artist by day, DJ by night, Malaysian Ashley Lau is no stranger to the fashion world. After spending her 20s frequenting festivals, she learnt how to spin her own set and now plays at parties and events for brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Boss.
Most recently, she DJ-ed at the Maison Margiela x Gentle Monster launch in Singapore and the Saint Laurent beauty pop-up at Penang.
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5. Noodz
You may know her from touring with Kehlani or playing at music festivals such as Wireless, Bumbershoot and Something In The Water. Micah Mahinay, better known as DJ Noodz, is a California-based Filipino DJ who started out as a fashion stylist. She brings to her sets an eclectic mix of R&B classics and modern hip-hop vibe with electronic sounds.
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6. Jovynn
Jovynn is a Malaysian DJ who made her mark on TikTok for her mashup videos, and has gone on to play at international shows in Dubai, Thailand and Melbourne as well as luxury brands, among them Saint Laurent and Coach. She recently collaborated with with Ukrainian producer Alex Iva on her debut single, Your Attention.
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7. ABG Tina
Tina, or ABG Tina, is a Vietnamese DJ, model, host, singer and songwriter. Vibrant and energetic, she has played a clubs and cities in Europe from Berlin and Amsterdam to Leipzig, keeps the dance floor swaying to groovy hip-hop.
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8. Butta B
Bea Alonsote, more popularly known as Butta B, is a Manila hip-hop scene regular and having been a dancer at Black Market Manila. A resident DJ at Bad Decisions and Boogie Manila, it's her love for dance, music and fashion that made her stand out, spinning soulful beats at nightclubs and brand events including Johnnie Walker's Highball Bar, Samsung, and Louis Vuitton.
9. So Super Sam
Filipino-Irish Samantha Duenas, or So Super Sam, has been immersed in music and performing arts since young. After graduating with an Economics degree, she became a dancer for stars like Miley Cyrus and Kelly Rowland. Channeling a super chill and chic vibe, she has DJ-ed for music festivals and comedy shows, including Tinder's 10-year anniversary party.
10. RONI
Having discovered Parisian club culture at the age of 12, French-Malaysian RONI went on to carve a name for herself in the DJ scene as founder of Nehza Records and resident at broadcasting station Rinse France. Celebrating rave and underground club culture, RONI's sound dips into techno, bass, jungle and break.
11. AKA Sounds
Singaporean DJ Amanda Keisha Ang, better known as AKA Sounds, is the go-to name for major brand events in the island republic, having played at parties hosted by Cartier and Gucci. Specialising in hip-hop, jungle and house tracks, you'll find her at venues such as Offtrack and Potato Head. She is also the co-founder of all-girl DJ collective Attagirl!.
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12. Acid Sister
Creative sister duo May Chucheewa and Takky are DJs based in Thailand. Residents at Bangkok Community Radio, Never Normal Bangkok, and co-founders of Soundkoh Collective, they have played at festivals such as The Observatory Saigon, Siwilai City Club and Wonderfruit Festival. Catch them at Summer Sound Festival this April.
13. ling:chi
Originally from Hanoi, ling:chi began her creative journey as a photographer and graphic designer before moving to Ho Chi Minh City in 2019. Alongside DJ sets at The Lighthouse, Candi Shop and Ba Bam Saigon focusing on deep house, electronic and techno, she is also the creative director at Mixmag Asia Vietnam, bringing audiences an eclectic mix of afro and pan-Asian influences as well as acid grooves and funky breaks.
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14. Margachi
Marga Bermudez, or Margachi, started out as an emcee before venturing into the nightlife scene as DJ and live events director. Hailing from the Philippines, she is also part of the collective, Very Done, and is co-owner of sunglass brand Ilaw Company as well as Ugly Duck Tapas Bar & Rooftop Lounge.
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15. Farah Azizan
Farah Azizan, known behind the decks as RAH, is the leading member of record label Darker Than Wax and music collective Revision Music based in Singapore. DJ-ing for fun at house parties and open deck sessions, she progressed to proper gigs at local clubs and has since played at international festivals, venues and radio stations including Rinse FM, Radio Raheem, Dimensions and Wonderfruit Festival. Her sound is ever evolving, from drum and bass to soul and Asian rare grooves.
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