Don’t cry for Sadboy: he’s one of the busiest DJ’s in the biz! [Cover photo: Ciro Andrés Medina H.]
Thotyssey: Hello Sadboy, thanks for chatting today! How is the summer treating you so far?
Sadboy: Hola. Summer has been very kind to me. Pride was a blast, probably one of the best in a while.
It was the best of times! Are you a fan of the heat?
I am, but not so much the moist humidity. Although it does tend to make my skin glow a bit, lol.
Have you heard the new Britney / Will.I.Am song, by the way? It’s, um, special!
I have not heard the new Britney but I’m gonna queue it up ASAP, lol. I’m a huge Britney fan, although I must say I’m more crazy about the earlier bubblegum pop stuff.
What do your nights in the booth usually sound like, when you have complete control over music?
My sound is very latine, and I typically play reggaeton centered sets… but with a twist. When I say a twist, I mean expect to hear the latine remix of everything from Miley Cyrus to Mariah Carey.
Are you really sad, or is there a specific meaning behind you name?
I use to struggle with depression, and figured it was a nice way to turn a negative into a positive. The tear I sometimes paint on is inspired by Cry-Baby, and I only really rock it in safe spaces. Going for the Mexi cry-baby vibes, lol!
Love that! If I may ask, where are you from originally… and was music always a part of your life growing up?
I grew up in the Oakland / SF Bay Area, which explains the hip hop tinges throughout my soundscape. Also, I was a kandie kid / huge raver growing up, so music has always been at the forefront of my life. I’m such a damn music geek.
What ultimately brought you into the world of DJing, and being a New York nightlifer?
When I was a baby raver I would love the way the DJ informed the crowd via their sets. I knew from my first event I wanted to be a DJ; it felt like my calling. It’s really nice seeing the music get the attention it has always deserved. Also, before I moved here I used to read stories about jazz greats and their wild nights in the city. I feel really grateful that via music, I’ve been able to become part of the nightlife here in NYC and also create community.
You’re gigs are very diverse, whether it’s mixed crowd dance parties at clubs like Paragon or drag shows at spots like C’mon Everybody! Do you love it all, or is there a favorite type of situation you love to DJ the most?
Thank you! I really work hard to keep my sets diverse and inclusive. I really do love it all. I enjoy the challenge of navigating different spaces and crowds and energy levels. I’m also open to most spaces as well, and enjoy a musical challenge.
You are the resident DJ for “Maritek,” a dance party at Nowadays in Ridgewood that turns one year old on August 3rd! What can you tell us about that night?
I’m so excited for the one year anniversary! “Maritek” is queer reggaeton centered event started by my amigx Tek Nena who also is a resident DJ. For the birthday, we are raising funds for Mariposas Sin Fronteras and have a really kick-ass line up: Dada Cozmic, Undocubougie, Total XTC… what more could you want, right?
You also just had the July edition of your monthly “Chancleta” at C’mon Everybody.
“Chancleta” is so much fun! Vena Cava aka the Puerto Rican IT girl and I are residents. She curates the queens, and I curate the sounds for a night full of puterias. We do a few rounds of shows, and dance the night away.
And this just in: You’ll be DJing a sexy affair called “Boom Boxxx” for Pighaus and Boomer Banks at 3 Dollar Bill on August 10th!
What else is coming up for you?
I’m heading to Mexico tomorrow for vacay, and have a show in Tulum–kind of feels surreal to DJ in such a dreamy place. Also I will be returning to the EU next month, and hoping to pull off a few shows and make it back to Amsterdam. I’ve always wanted to travel, and being able to work and travel seems like a really good [plan] for for me–work, work, play, play, work.
Love that! Okay, lastly: what is the most annoying song that the kids are requesting for you to play these days, lol?
Hmm, lol. I don’t quite have a song but, I low key got assaulted while deejaying this summer at “Chancleta!” Someone kept putting a Bad Bunny request on their phone to try and get my attention, and I ignored them. Shortly after, my knee almost gives out while playing… and it’s the same person. They hit my kneecap with their phone hard, so they could show me their request. Lol, I did politely tell them that wasn’t cool!
You got You got Tanya Harding’ed and Bebe Rexha’ed in the same moment!
Lol, I did!
Kids, mind your damn matters and respect the DJ! Thanks, Sadboy!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for DJ Sadboy’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Instagram, SoundCloud and his website.
Thotyssey 