Chick Chat: Motivating through Music with DJ CLASSICNEWWAVE
Images by: DJ CLASSICNEWWAVE
MASTER OF FLOW. DREAM CATCHER. SNEAKHER STYLIST. COMMUNITY CREATOR. BROWN SUGAR BOUNCE.
At the epicenter of anything impactful, there is always an origin story. Some may call it a North Star or a guiding light, even a calling. We have learned in the sneaker community, many of the origin stories we come across are about so much more than just a fly pair of shoes. They are meant to be a bridge of connection to inspiration. Those journeys leave us feeling empowered and ready to step into our own personal adventures centered around a common bond of sneakers. Welcome to our next Chick Chat.
Much like sneakers, music is seen as a universal language that carries us through life. The sweet melodies and dope beats have served as our soundtracks to childhood all the way to the fun years of adulting. The connection music creates is like poetry whispering that things will be just fine. Alexis Toney, also known as DJ Classicnewwave, is an architect of sound. She has fully immersed herself in the understanding of how music moves people - literally. Alexis is part of the wave of talented artists that also uses their gifts to celebrate a heritage story.
We had the opportunity to vibe with DJ Classicnewwave on her own personal origin story, her love for Black people, and sneaker style of course. As we celebrate National DJ Day, tap in with us and learn about DJ Classicnewwave in her own words below.
YOU CAN TAKE THE GIRL OUT THE SOUTH BUT…
In terms of style, the South definitely plays a huge part in my shoes and clothing. TBH, as a masc presenting woman that didn’t always get to wear what I wanted, a lot of my style is a nod to my younger self and the type of things I wanted to explore. From a shoe perspective, Jordans and Forces were a staple in my community growing up and it’s stuck with me til today. I’ma keep some white 1s and ima keep some Jays. Regarding music, I’m heavily influenced from where I come from - whether it’s the artists or even the sound. I grew up in the church, so I gravitate towards music with similar sounds (i.e. live instrumentation or that layered soprano, alto, tenor harmony). A lot of folks know I have a wild calling for old school music - that’s a direct correlation to my family and all the family reunions we had across TN, GA and Alabama.
ELEVATION OF A CREATIVE BLUEPRINT.
The pandemic gave me a lot of time to myself (LOL). During that time I challenged myself a lot creatively, which was something I’d never really done before. I pushed myself to not only polish up on my craft but to also start carving my own lane. The pandemic is where I came up with the idea for Brown Sugar Bounce, a party that I throw with my homie Craig. Quiet Storm, our Twitch + “radio show” was started in the pandemic as well. It was a time of pushing myself creatively but also venturing out on my own and creating my own functions and putting my name behind something instead of just tagging along with someone or something else - and that was super important to me.
MUSIC IS THE LOVE LANGUAGE.
When my words fail me, music never does. Speaking candidly, I tend to shut down in certain situations especially when I’m feeling overwhelmed. Music has provided me with an alternate form of communication in those moments. If I can’t get it out, then I know there’s a song that expresses what I want to say. Whether that’s been me sending songs to people, listening to music to gain the courage, or even the language to say what I need to say sometimes. My Spotify library has an insane amount of playlists and folders because I’m always building different playlists to fit a mood - whether that’s helping me through a hectic work day or even finding songs to help me feel still and calm when I get frazzled.
COULD MINISTER OF MUSIC BE THE CALLING?
It’s funny because sometimes when Craig and I throw parties together he’ll refer to me as the Minister of Music (which is a callback to our upbringing in the church), but I genuinely feel like that’s my calling in my community. In my church, the Minister of Music was the person that guided the entire service in song. He chose when to pump it up and make people catch the Holy Ghost and when to slow it down and guide people in worship. That’s the role I feel I play at every function I DJ - I’m trying to lift spirits and take people higher. I play for Black folks. I’m going to take you across decades and across genres in a way that elevates (hopefully) the spirit and the mood. I really just like to see us happy and smiling. I love us forreal.
MUSIC BREATHES LIFE INTO CREATIVE ACTIVISM…
All of those genres (R&B, Hip Hop, Jazz, Reggae) are inherently rooted in activism because they stem from freedom songs that were sung through slavery. Throughout the diaspora that then evolved over time into gospel/religious songs into the different genres we have now. Music is also a medium that’s conducive to feelings of empowerment because it allows expression in so many ways - whether you’re a musician and expressing yourself through how you play an instrument or you can even be a person with no interest in playing music but the way music carries your spirit and body at a party allows you to feel free and loose.
ALEXIS ON PERSONAL STYLE + SNEAKERS…
I think my personal style sits on a spectrum. I can go from a very utilitarian vibe with cargos and vests, then swing to something more casual and laid back. I’ve always had some sort of accessory that I latch on to for a little flare - usually in the form of shoes or a hat. I take a similar approach with DJing. I tend to be very smooth with how I play, but you can definitely expect some flare from me somewhere to add a little razzle dazzle and shake things up.
I’ma always keep a pair of white Forces in my weekly rotation, and you’ll definitely catch me rocking a pair of Birkenstocks (most likely the Bostons). The third pair is a wild card - I always try to throw on a pair I’ve never worn or haven’t worn in awhile but honestly I might just revert back to the white Forces. In terms of silhouette, I have narrow feet so I tend to gravitate towards something slimmer like an Air Jordan 1, but also I love a good slip-on. The new Fear of God slip-ons have been something I’m a fan of.
CREATING A HERITAGE STORY ROOTED IN REPRESENTATION THROUGH MUSIC.
My heritage story, specifically within music, is rooted in my Blackness. I hope to be able to leave some sort of lasting impression to other Black folks like me. For example, my willingness to take risks, but specifically in spaces that impact us. Carving out my own musical identity when DJing and remaining true to that. I’m no world renowned artist (YET), but I take pride in the experiences that I can curate musically. They create nostalgic atmospheres for us to vibe out to and let loose after a crazy week while dancing on tables. I hope that reaches someone - keep creating spaces for us. We need it. Plus, there’s nothing like it.
In celebration of National DJ Day, you can flow with DJ CLASSICNEWWAVE and her special CNK playlist below.