Listen Up, DJs: Venus X Has Some Choice Words For You!

Venus X, DJ, Producer, and Founder GHE20G0TH1K

What? Have you not been to GHE20G0TH1K? Change that — now. The raging, roving, rapidly rising New York dance party (pronounced “ghetto gothic” FYI) is unique among it's kind — a true cultural melting pot where uptown, downtown, upper class, underpaid, and all ethnicities meet, sweat, and strut. At its center stands its beautiful, uncompromising founder and DJ, Jazmin Venus Soto (a.k.a. Venus X). The ultimate representative of GHE20G0TH1K's spirit, she's just as obsessed with Aaliyah as she is with Siouxsie Sioux, and just as dedicated to breaking down the walls between all the scenes, circles, and cliques as she is to making you dance. We tapped Ms. X for a quick conversation on her meteoric rise, partying behind the turntables, and, yes, all those socialite DJs.

So, tell us how you got your start.

“It was like a dream from the very beginning. I always had a desire to learn to DJ and a vision of what the musical experience should be like. So, when I was in college, I took a monthly night at Beauty Bar. Things moved very quickly. People started booking me at all different kinds of parties — punk, goth, hip hop. I struck the ear of some very powerful people in the art and fashion world and then some big pop stars. I was doing fashion show soundtracks and DJing at MoMA, even though I was very inexperienced.”

Wow. Why do you think you got so much traction so quickly?

“Because I was wild and would play exactly what I wanted. I was never afraid that people wouldn't like my DJing. I just did exactly what I wanted.”

And what’s the moment you ‘broke’?

“Being invited to make a cameo in A$AP Rocky’s first big video, ‘Peso’. I wore some of my friend Shayne Oliver’s Hood By Air clothes, and things were never the same again!”

Now, how did GHE20G0TH1K’s popularity develop?

“Very organically. Very early on, GHE20G0TH1K was the most diverse party in the city. It attracted people from every different social group and ethnicity and everyone from unemployed skaters to celebrities. It was amazing.”

We’ve always wondered, how much can you actually party when you’re behind the turntables? Like, can you drink hard and still spin?

“I don't like to drink. When I was younger, I had a few drinks or would get tipsy while DJing. But throwing party as crazy as GG means I have to organize, DJ, pay everyone, deal with traffic at the door, make sure everyone feels taken care of. I’m the Promoter, DJ, cocktail waitress, manage… everything. At this point, I'd always rather smoke weed than drink.”

And do you have any advice for the amateur DJ?

“Amateur DJs are ruining the DJ game, especially modelesque, socialite girls who can't DJ but are. My advice: close your laptop and let a real DJ take your place.”

Ha! We’re going to get comments on that! Actually, what I meant was do you have advice for someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

“Yeah. Fuck the social ladder, remember to have a strong vision and strong morals. Don’t social climb. Don’t numb yourself with drugs and alcohol so you don't feel like a human. Operate from the heart. Sleep with whomever you want. Take risks when you feel butterflies — but don't ever set goals for power or fame because people will know your true intentions.”

Good stuff! Thanks.

Styled by Lauren Edelstein; Hair and Makeup by Bethany Brill.

Custom jersey; Reece Hudson Rogue Small Clutch, $495, available at Shopbop.

Photographed by ; Illustration by