The world-traveling fashionista is at the top of her game with a slammin’ new original album, but DJ Jackie Christie knows that without love, it ain’t much.
By Brandon Voss
A flame-haired vision in Gucci and Roberto Cavalli, DJ Jackie Christie floated into chic Chelsea eatery Cafeteria for our interview looking more like a red carpet regular than your typical record spinner. It’s no wonder she’s the go-to DJ for the fashion industry’s elite, such as Donatella Versace and Marc Bouwer. With a handful of hit singles and three full-length DJ mix CDs to her credit, she’s turned it out at top clubs across the globe, including an infamous residency at Gotham’s own Limelight. The drool-worthy diva and I ogled the boy-candy waitstaff, who were gracious enough to play her first original album, Made 4 U, while we gabbed. After humbly recounting off-the-record tales about famous fans such as Prince, Chaka Khan, Janet Jackson, and Queen Latifah (whose upcoming film Beauty Shop will feature a new song by Miss JC), the vinyl vixen dished on life, music, and, most important, love.
HX: How have you been promoting the new album?
DJ Jackie Christie: I just returned from the Love Parade in San Francisco and it was one of the best days of my life! Performing “Beautiful Day” on a float for 30,000 people was phenomenal!
Tell me about that first single.
“Beautiful Day” is a feel-good anthem about friendship, life and love. It features the group Discomind, which has both a male and female vocalist. Diversity is what it’s all about.
Was growing up in Detroit very 8 Mile ?
No, I was raised in a nice suburban community. I fell in love with the turntables and began DJing parties and bar mitzvahs at 16. I was doing radio by the time I was 18, working with some of the most legendary people in dance music today.
Bar mitzvahs, Jackie?
They were fun! I was playing Bananarama for 13-year-olds — you can’t beat that. If anything, I was upset that I wasn’t Jewish because their birthday parties were better than mine.
Why did you come to New York?
There weren’t many gigs in Detroit, but New York had a big scene with plenty of room for everyone. Plus, I wanted to work with the best DJs in the world. I spun at night, but for extra cash I actually started out at the Strictly Rhythm label as the receptionist!
Next you DJed MTV’s The Grind. Was Eric Nies bitter when you replaced him as host?
When you’re that beautiful, you can’t be bitter. If you do MTV, you have to go there knowing it’s a moment; it’s not a lifetime — unless, of course, you’re Kurt Loder.
You also famously remixed Madonna’s “Nothing Fails.” Did you two meet?
No, I didn’t have tea and crumpets with her, unfortunately. After the Junior Vasquez scandal, I don’t think Madonna’ll be calling a DJ anytime soon. But she approved the mix, so that makes me happy — especially since she’s from Michigan, too.
Your new album is highly addictive!
Made 4 U is a housey album with a late-night underground feeling. There are anthems for getting 5,000 peoples’ hands in the air and softer, love-filled songs. The album’s main message is the importance of friendship and loving one another. Everybody on my label, Motéma — which means “love” — is a part of my album; it’s a beautiful family.
Tell me about your featured vocalists.
[Collaborators] Dirty Shane and Kraze, world musician Jana Herzen, club diva Sandy B guests on “Everlasting Love,” my next single. And working with Lady Bunny was more fun than I could have ever imagined. I love her track “It’s Tonight” because it’s about getting dolled-up and ready to go out on the town.
Well, you always look like you just stepped off the pages of Vogue.
It’s a 24-hour town, honey. Your hair has to be ready at all times. And I have a large wardrobe in a storage locker that I actually rotate in and out of my apartment.
But are you still Jackie from the block?
I’m a simple, nice, sweet girl — and if you believe that... [laughs].
On your album you declare that “Pink is the new black.” Do you have a dark side?
No, I’m a light, fluffy girl. But I do like it dark and pink in all the right places!
Have you ever felt pressure to be less girly?
It was something I thought about years ago, but I can’t be anything other than me.
Do you consider yourself a fag hag?
I. Love. Gay. Men. All day and all night. Gay women, too. I have a very gay life!
Are you gay?
[Laughs] Let’s just say I’m a queen!
HX, October 2004.