Breaking the Beat: The Rise of a Female DJ Shaping the industry

DJ Emiphenix has been catching our attention not just for her undeniable talent behind the decks, but also for her unwavering support of women in the industry. As a rising star in the electronic music scene, she’s made it a point to amplify the voices of female DJs and stand up for their rightful place in a space often dominated by men. Emiphenix is not afraid to speak out about the challenges women face in getting recognized, from battling stereotypes to overcoming bias. She’s using her platform to shed light on the struggles of female DJs and, in doing so, is challenging the industry to evolve. With every performance, she proves that not only is there space for women in this world of beats and bass, but that their presence is essential for its future.

Let’s dive deeper into the journey of Emily Calderon- DJ EMIPHNX , whose life has always been surrounded by music. From a young age, she was immersed in sound, with her brother being her first and most influential supporter. It was through her passion for music that Emiphenix found her own inspiration to pursue DJing. We asked her what led her to become a DJ, and her answer reveals the deep connection :” I grew up immersed in music in many forms—singing, producing, dancing, and exploring nearly every medium it offers. For the longest time, I struggled to choose how I wanted to express myself through music because I loved so many aspects of it. My first underground event was here in Houston, at a party called "Don’t Get Caught." It was the first time I witnessed a DJ being the driving force behind an event, bringing people together, playing what they loved, and creating meaningful connections through music. That sense of community was incredibly inspiring to me.”.

With a deep love for music and the sense of community it brought, she was profoundly moved by the experience. Along the way, she not only found a network of supporters but also a business partner who helped propel her forward.

“At that same event, “Don’t Get Caught,” I met a DJ who is now a close friend and business partner, 7foot3. He was one of the first DJs I connected with, and I shared my dream of getting into DJing, though I couldn’t afford equipment at the time. Some time passed, and when he decided to sell his equipment at a very low cost, he reached out to me, knowing how passionate I was. At the time, he was curating an event called *Untitled*, featuring an all-female DJ lineup. He told me that if I could master my skills in two months, he’d give me a chance to perform. I worked hard, delivered, and played my first show with him. From that moment on, everything changed—it’s been history ever since. I owe him so much; he truly changed my life.”

“I believe in natural selection: the ones who are truly passionate and serious will rise, and those who aren’t will eventually fall away.”

 With the unwavering support she receives today, we also asked her who was her first supporter in her DJ career. She revealed that it was her brother, who has been there for her from the very beginning, supporting her every step of the way. We’re glad to see that she’s had unwavering support for her passion for music. However, despite the support she receives, there have been times when people haven’t believed in her or her dream. We asked her how she feels about those who don’t offer their support, and her response sheds light on how she navigates the challenges.

“As for non-supporters, I honestly never gave much thought to what others had to say—I’ve always been secure in myself. One thing I heard repeatedly, though, was people questioning if I was serious about pursuing this. The DJ community is often seen as “saturated,” and many people I knew were tired of seeing others randomly pick up a controller without understanding the dedication it requires. But honestly, to each their own—whether someone wants to DJ as a hobby or a profession is their choice. I believe in natural selection: the ones who are truly passionate and serious will rise, and those who aren’t will eventually fall away.’

Surrounded by both supporters and critics, we asked her if her community influences her in any way. She responded, saying… “Absolutely. As someone who can be indecisive at times, I often rely on my community for guidance—whether it’s about a song selection, deciding if I should collaborate with someone, or determining if something aligns with my goals. They help ground me and provide the clarity I sometimes need to move forward.” 

FEATURING EMIPHNX AND 7FOOT3

“I worked hard, delivered, and played my first show with him. From that moment on, everything changed—it’s been history ever since. I owe him so much; he truly changed my life.”

Despite the small percentage of female DJs in the industry and the lack of support from both women and men, we asked her if she had any mentors to guide her along the way.

“As I mentioned before, 7foot3 was the one who gave me my first platform and introduced me to a lot of insight about the community. But another pivotal figure during that first show with the all-girls lineup was DJ 5Starmona. She was the first female DJ I ever knew, and she’s made her mark in the industry. She’s mentored me a lot—then and even now. Especially in such a male-dominated industry, her experiences and guidance have been invaluable to me. I appreciate her so much and admire how she continues to be the 5-star doll she is. I think it’s funny when people assume being a female DJ is easy because other women will naturally support us. While that support is meaningful, it doesn’t erase the challenges we face. On top of putting in the work to outshine or earn the same respect as male DJs, being a woman in this space still comes with “girl problems.” There have been times I’ve been booked not because of my talent or hard work, but because someone was interested in a romantic relationship with me, not my craft. It can be hard to tell when people genuinely value my skills and my brain, rather than my physical appearance. That lack of respect can be frustrating, but it only pushes me to work harder to prove that I’m here for the music, not anyone’s expectations or agendas. There’s so much more that goes into this than people realize—it’s a constant process of earning your place and staying true to yourself.”  like she said there is a constant agenda for women in the industry whether its in dj to singing to any industry . and we congratulate her for pushing those stereotypes and making a notice for female djs. 

Just like music is a big influence in the way you dress , think and even act we asked her what song genre best fits her and her image :

 “R&B music has always held a special place in my heart, which is ironic because I don’t DJ R&B as often as I’d love to, given my focus on Dance/EDM music. If I dig deep into my memory, my very first favorite song was “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake—a beautifully emotional and romantic song. That resonates with me because, at my core, I’m a deeply emotional, romantic person—a lover girl, through and through. R&B has always grounded me, giving me a sense of calm. In a life full of chaos, sometimes you just need one thing to feel peaceful, and for me, that has always been R&B music.” . As a big R&B fan myself im already more intrigued and fascinated by miss DJ EMIPHNX

As much as DJ EMIPHNX is my favorite, we were curious to know—who are her favorite artists and DJs?

“Kaytranada & Berlioz. Currently my favorite Dj/Artist. They both have loyal audience and showcases traits I deeply admire. Their music is a constant source of motivation, instantly energizing me no matter where I am or what I’m doing.” 

Given her deep love for other artists and the community, we asked her what she hopes to achieve through DJing: 

 “It’s all about building more connections and creating a space where people can feel free and authentic—just like how I feel when I watch my favorite DJs perform. That sense of freedom and self-expression is something I want to inspire in others through my sets.”In life, it’s all about building connections and following your dreams. We’re grateful for the chance to gain insight into her journey, and we continue to offer our unwavering support. As a woman in the media industry, I’m passionate about uplifting and highlighting female artists and DJs. We look forward to seeing her rise within the industry, and we hope she continues to advocate for women in the field, even in a space still largely dominated by men.

For our final question, we asked her: What advice would you give to aspiring female DJs?

“Don’t ever let anyone think you aren’t worth it because 10/10 times it’s their projection and insecurity. The same people who doubted me are no longer around. So boss up girl and play, dress up and be whoever you want. This is your world and they are living in it <3”

Like she said this is your world and they are living it. 

 As DJ EMIPHNX continues to break down barriers and challenge the status quo, her journey serves as a powerful reminder that the future of the music industry is one where women can thrive, not just survive. By fighting stereotypes and advocating for more representation, she’s not only paving the way for herself but for the countless other women who will follow in her footsteps. Her message is clear: talent knows no gender, and it’s time for women to rise, take their place, and shape the sound of tomorrow. As she keeps pushing forward, we’ll be right there, cheering her on, and supporting the movement to make the industry more inclusive and empowering for all. The decks are open, and the future is female.

Please make sure you follow her on instagram and book with her @emiphnx

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