Chippy is part of a new guard of Toronto-bred scene-sters taking over the music scene, and runs her own workshop series aimed to put a spotlight on gender disparity in electronic music. Likewise, Uniiqu3 is the DJ-producer-activist shaking things up in The Big Apple. HUNGER caught up with the rising tastemakers to know to find out more.
How the hell did you end up doing what you are doing?
UNIIQU3: I’ve been into for a while now. Music is something I’ve always done since a child. I took on doing because I was there was a lack of female dj’s in my scene so I wanted to fill that void. I went from Djing , into producing because in Jersey, Dj’s would get booked off how popular their songs where. Shortly after that I took to rapping and singing over my song because why limit myself. I knew at the time it wasn’t normal but I really created my own lane.
Right now I’m at a point where I’ve made it so far the only place I can go is up. I tour all the world constantly while consistently putting out new music for all my fans. Now I want to be able to share my experiences with others, and give back in a inspirational way.. I’ve done that by creating BEUNIIQU3. An interactive seminar teaching young women, non binary and doc about the music industry. I’ve held these all around the world but I’m most excited to bring it to Newark for the first time this March.
Chippy: It was kind of just a fluke. I was running a website with some friends called T Tauri Traphouse and one of M.I.A dancers was friends with them and liked the website and showed her and then somehow we move to LA and started working for M.I.A., but for some reason it was really messy and all this shit went down and I started working with Diplo and Mad Decent on some stuff. Then shit just so messy in L.A. I moved back to the Bay Area and when I got back, people were just asking me to do vocals on their tracks in 2008/09. That’s how I got into being in the “industry”.
How did you two meet?
UNIIQU3: I met Chippy in a club in NYC I believe. Probably 285 Kent. She would be around a lot of my friends and we just developed a really amazing bond while being lit as raves. I was always down to party with her because she was smart, made dope music, and I never had to pay to get in parties, or for drinks even thought there was a chance we would get kicked out the club.
Chippy: Omg. It was so long ago. It was deff in NYC, but I don’t remember the exact occasion. I know Uniique played me and Kitty (Pryde)’s party called “Candy with Strangers” in Brooklyn, but I don’t know if that was the first time, but it was around 2010/11.
What do you do aside from that to create a forward thinking mentality for your industry?
Chippy: I have a project called Intersessions which strives to put a spot light on the gender disparity in electronic music by hosting panels, workshops and parties. We get all the people involved paid fairly while teaching a new generations of women and LGBTQ+ folks.
UNIIQU3: I set no limits for myself and that seems to benefit more than just me now a days.
How do you need help doing this?
UNIIQU3: For 2019 I’m really trying to gain more support from my community. I want to build with the City of Newark as the city is growing rapidly. I’ve been supported a lot internationally as well as many of my peers.
Chippy: What we need is brands to put their money where their mouth is. With brands milking campaigns around diversity and inclusivity they should be putting their money behind programs that help the disenfranchised for the long run, not just to make themselves look good for a campaign. I need spaces, I need money to pay everyone fairly and for the students to get the experience they deserve.
Highlight so far on your journey?
UNIIQU3: Traveling to places I’d never thought I’d go off doing something I love to do. Def living my best life.
Chippy: Evolving in every way as a person and learning from so many different kinds of people is a highlight.
When did your career start to globalise?
Chippy: I honestly was global when I started, I got to be apart of the Major Lazer album before I even put out a record, so I had a global platform early on.
UNIIQU3: I would have to say around 2014/2015 .It started on sound-cloud with all the new fans from all over following me. Then I got asked to go on Tour with Nina las Vegas in Australia and then shortly after that I went to London to perform at the Barbican Theatre which were first time international moves for me. After that I found an agent and I set up tours and never stopped.
Did social media have anything to do about it? What effects does it have on your career?
Chippy: Social media doesn’t have a bad impact for me, only pros. I’m not easily affected by outside energy. I have a really strong mind, I do what I need to do and use the resources I have to make it happen and block anything else out that isn’t helping me grow. Social media has only helped me as a tool for promotion and also I’ve used it before as a personal diary to vent, which has also been helpful.
UNIIQU3: I was def apart of the Old Soundcloud days around 2013-2016 which played a big part in people actually being able to download music from independent artist. My signature genre style of Jersey Club was finally obtainable online for people all around the world to be able to play. It’s defiantly helped me spread my music and my message. As of right now I think the only way it effect my career in a bad way is that it’s the first thing some people look at and m success isn’t define by a profile. I WAY BIGGER THAN THAT.
If you could change one thing about your past what would it be?
Chippy: I’ve deff said a lot of dumb shit and been really ratchet in my past. The surroundings I grew up in though made me that, but as I said I’ve evolved so much so as cliche as it is, I wouldn’t change anything because the same dumb mistakes got me to where I am now.
UNIIQU3: I wouldn’t change anything but people making Trump president
If you could conquer something in your immediate future what would it be?
Chippy: I want to throw an Intersessions festival. I want to start a touring party. I want to play festivals and tour around the world.
UNIIQU3: Could.. I will conquer numerous things and one of those things will be to help the Dj community in my city of Newark and get more resources for us to flourish.
What does the future of music look like to you? What can we do right now to make that happen?
Chippy: Undefinable with no pretentious vibes, diverse and unique. We are on the right path.
UNIIQU3: The future of music is so scary right now and that’s only because the internet is advancing so fast. I will say that I think we’re approaching an era where authenticity is praised.
What are you listening to on repeat?
Chippy: Honestly, there’s not a repeat song I’m playing right now I’ve just been listening to a lot of mixes on Halfmoon BK.
Guilty Pleasure?
Chippy: Ariana Grande
UNIIQU3: Out Watching Love & Hip Hop.. Still I know terrible.
Dream collaborator?
Chippy: A.R. Rahman
UNIIQU3: That’s so HARD ! Def Missy Elliot , Robin S, Pharrell , Dj Lag , Thundercat, Rae Sremmurd
A song you wish you wrote?
Chippy: Thank you, Next.
On that note, what a good place to finish this interview.
Follow the pair on Instagram @chippyxnonstop and @uniiqu3music.
Photography: @richiemafwa.
