It’s almost as if Christy Ray has spent a lifetime preparing to make people dance.  She is the daughter of famed Salt N’ Pepa DJ, Spinderella, giving her the unique ability to draw upon many decades’ worth of quality musical influence, as well as literal crates of classic vinyl.  And though she definitely received the musical education one would expect—her mother had her singing along at age four to Teena Marie and Stevie Wonder—the deepest influence took shape from the powerful suggestion that Christy figure out who she is and be that.  “Creatively, she’s influenced me by just allowing me to be me,” Christy says.  “As cliche as it sounds, she really taught me the importance of what it means to be yourself.”

Though she was mostly raised in sunny southern California, she spent her college years in New York, attending Hofstra University for broadcast journalism and reconnecting with her roots (both her mother and father are from there).  Upon graduation she moved to Dallas, mostly because it is where her mother had relocated a few years earlier.  There, she grew serious about DJing, getting lessons and gaining knowledge, learning about vinyl and laptop production, and eventually, sitting in with such local DJs as Blake Ward and the Fresh 45s Crew.  She has since become a fixture in the club scene, singing, dancing, having a good time.  The excitement is infectious.  That is why we love her.

Check out DJ Christy Ray for yourself at Art Con 11, on Saturday, November 14, 2015.

// Buy your tickets now //

Written by: Christopher Hughes