She’s the reason I started Djing! She may be the reason you started DJing. Do you remember those days? The official ‘Old School’ days? Shhh! We’re not supposed to talk about it, right? Wow, those were some times though, weren’t they? A time when the freedom to gather, meet new friends, dance all night, and praise the music was a natural part of night life. She was there during those days when raves were driven by a feeling of love and respect for the music. She paved the way for female DJ’s to shine during a time when there were no ladies in the dance industry. Don’t act like you don’t know her, because you do. Everyone who appreciates dance music knows her because she presides over the break beat domain as the queen of bass. The world renowned DJ extraordinaire: BABY ANNE
HC: Everyone knows Baby Anne is the original queen of breaks, what made you start DJing back in the day?
BA: It was never my intention to be a DJ. Icey had me play at some of his parties since there were no girl DJs back then and I just kept going. It was a hobby that turned into a career.
HC: There was once a rumor that you and Icey were an item, fact or fiction?
BA: Fiction. We have been good friends for 15 years and have worked together and played together a lot, so I can see why people would think that.
HC: What’s the most exotic location you’ve played at?
BA: Puerto Rico wins twice. Once in a rain forest and once in the caves at Camuy.
HC: How many songs have you produced over the years?
BA: 20 something.
HC: How do you feel about the ANTI-RAVE BAN laws and have they affected you?
BA: I don’t get to play with a lot of my DJ friends as much as in the past. That’s something I miss.
HC: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in this industry?
BA: Caution. Many people are out for themselves and will get whatever they can out of you. I’ve been burned by record labels, nightclubs, artists trying to ‘climb the ladder’, and people who I thought were my friends. I have to say, though, the good outweighs the bad. There are still a lot of good people around. You just have to figure out who is real and who is fake.
HC: During the Millennium party at 1st Sunrise 2000, It was a rumor that your set was so badass, the roof actually caved in… What happened?
BA: It was a few minutes before midnight. They had a countdown clock in the booth so I was trying to time everything out. Gumbee, Icey, Mark Sanchez, and Mike and Charlie were in the booth with me. I played a record of Icey’s that was really bass heavy. It was 3 minutes long and would have ended right at midnight. There were some people sitting on a glass window over the bar. I guess when the bass hit, it vibrated the glass and they fell through. The fire alarm and the sprinklers went off and the emergency lights came on. Since it happened at 12:00 AM, 2000, everyone thought it was an attack or something. Everyone was evacuated and the rumors started. So yeah it’s kind of my fault that the roof caved in but I had help.
Well there you have it, words straight from break beat’s royalty. Long live the queen!
-By DJ Heather Collins.