Ok, so this one is the choice I made, to catch people off guard. Many have never heard of DJ Leydis (including myself until recently), but she is a powerhouse of talent. DJ Leydis, born and raised in Cuba, has been involved in the Cuban Hip Hop movement since its inception. Using her talents, she helped organize some of the countries most respected and attended events/community programs. To list all of her feats would be very difficult, so here is an overview of them from her website:
In 2005, she co-founded Omegas Kilay. A Hip-Hop Theater Collective in Havana Cuba, Omegas Kilay focused on presenting the poetry, music, experiences and perspectives of artists such as DJ Yari, Danay Suarez, Nono, La LLave De IPG, La Negra, and Las Krudas.
Along with her partner DJ Yari, DJ Leydis created the first all-female DJ Mixtape in Cuba, contributing a special blend of new flavor and spirit to the international community. In addition, she performed across Cuba as the official Spoken Word Artist of Rande Acosta’s Platos Rosa.
DJ Leydis has also been a featured subject of critically acclaimed and groundbreaking documentaries such as Inventos: Hip Hop Cubano, Jovenes Rebeldes y Mi Revolution, and continues to be an keynote speaker on the subject of Cuban Hip-Hop Culture.
In 2006, DJ Leydis migrated to United States to expand upon her work as a DJ. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, she has worked with Erykah Badu, ?uest Love of the Roots, and other iconic American artists. Presently working on tour with Los Rakas & Las Krudas, DJ Leydis combines contemporary hits with an distinct fusion of Latin flavors, R&B classics and Roots Reggae blends.
