Miami-based DJ Tamara Sky isn’t just your normal breed of hottie. She’s certified– with a blazing Playboy Mexico cover, a US Playboy centerfold, and the title of “Miss Puerto Rico Bikini.” So while she may get people all hot and bothered for obvious reasons, she’ll make you sweat in more ways than one, because Tamarahas been bumping up the heat in clubs around the world.
The 24-year-old, who moved to South Beach at 19 and picked up her turntable skills from friends, went from scratching in her house 5 hours a day for fun to now headlining gigs at spots like Acupulco’s mega-club Palladium. “I didn't even want to be a DJ,” she says,” I just wanted to learn and liked it. Then some people started being interested.” But unlike many other girls in the game, it wasn’t just her looks that got people hooked. “The problem with female DJs,” she complains, “is that most of them are not good. Some just think, ‘I'm hot, so I'm going to put together a mix tape, act like I'm a DJ, and put some pasties on my boobs.’” And while Tamara’s had her own fair share of skeptics, explaining one instance in particular when, “DJ Scribble was giving me attitude, then after finishing my gig said, ‘Wow. You’re so good. I really thought you were going to suck,’” she can now just let the fact that she’s booked year-round at clubs from Canada to Costa Rica speak for itself.
First things first, how did you discovered and asked to do Playboy?
They found me DJing in Mexico. Not that many other DJ girls have been asked to do it, so it definitely made my career a little bigger. Then after being inPlayboy Mexico, Hugh Hefner offered me the centerfold in America.
Did you get to chill at the mansion?
I stayed at the mansion for two weeks. It's really quiet there. You don't really see anybody except the people who work there. The cool thing was that they have chefs 24 hours a day, so if you want something at 4 in the morning, you can have it. I'd order pancakes and eggs at midnight all the time! And they have animals, so I'd go to the monkey cage to feed them.
Were you big into “The Girls Next Door?”
Actually, the episode where Holly did her first creative directing, that was me! Some people think because of that, I’m a model-turned-DJ, but I'm not a model. I just like photography and fashion. I even have a photography studio at home, and my roommate and I are both photographers. For fun, we’ll do shoots here, and I’ll do all the hair, makeup, and retouching.
Seeing as how you have Playboy credentials, do you get hit on a lot while you're spinning?
Usually, by girls! I've heard that I'm kind of intimidating, but I don't try to be. I’m shy and don't talk that much to strangers, so people mistake that for an attitude. If people talk to me, I’ll talk to them back, but if someone crosses the line– I don't take shit from anybody. And some guys will get a little dirty. When girls hit on me, though, I think it's cute.
I've checked out your blog, and it seems like you're really inspired by high fashion. Who are some of your favorite designers?
I like Betsey Johnson, John Galliano, and Roberto Cavalli. As for my own style, I like to wear high-waisted skirts or pants, a lot of leopard print, leggings, “casual goth” like black and leather, and pin-up-y stuff. I shop a lot at Asos, Topshop, and then buy vintage on eBay at Makimaki, Trashy Vintage, Noir Ohio, Thriftwares, and Tinroof Vintage. I always end up finding something really cool.
Describe one of your earliest music memories.
My mom would dance salsa with me every weekend in the living room from when I was 7 years old. And she was a big Madonna fan, so I was too. One of the first tracks I remember singing along to was “Like a Virgin.” Then, my dad was a big fan of Elvis, The Beatles, ABBA, and disco music. My parents were divorced, so I would spend time at my dad’s listening to disco and rock ‘n roll and then salsa and 80's pop with my mom.
What are your favorite records to play now?
I don't get to spin my favorite things that much unless it's the right type of party– but I like things like MSTRKRFT, She Wants Revenge, CSS, Le Tigre, Crystal Castles, and of course, Madonna.
How do you really get the club popping?
People like B-More, discotheque, or something old that they haven't heard in a long time. One song that always works is “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” When I'm playing hip hop, then play Nirvana, it's kind of unexpected and people like it. And “The Beautiful People” by Marilyn Manson is another one people don't hear it that much at the club, but they all know it.
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