YOU! HAVE THE POWER | Dr. Ellen Brown

Healing Souls With The DJ: A Centerpiece Of Music Culture

BY DR. ELLEN BROWN

Music is said to be medicine for the soul. With every significant life event, memories are almost always entwined with music. Once the sounds are created and released to the universe, a healing element goes to work. It turns, twists, re-creates, liberates, and empowers our minds, bodies and spirits.

I recently met up with three trailblazing healers who are doing just that, right here in Las Vegas: Power 88.1’s The Wakeup Squad. You can catch Ambeezy, Nicole Katriss and NotABoi weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., pumping out music that gets us geared up for the day. If you ain’t woke before tuning in, you will be soon after — because these women come together and feed the power source for your day.

First: Nicole Katriss, who is unapologetically the eldest of the Squad. Known for her focused perspective, she centers the show. She is a mom and proud grandma who stands 6 feet tall sans platforms. She is a businesswoman in the community as well — and at age 52 brings the message to women that “You can do it!” Her musical contribution to the Squad anchors the show through old-school favorites from the ‘80s. Her deejaying style contains elements of the real female trailblazers of that era, such as Spinderella, who inspired her journey.

The next co-host is Amber “Ambeezy” Blow — an actress, singer, and writer who is studying criminology at the University of Southern New Hampshire, has appeared in several AFI films including the Cannes Film Festival winner “Stealth,” and was named Best Debut Actress at the Las Vegas Black Film Festival.

Then there is NotABoi. Straight out of Chi Town, a cultural mecca in its own right, this music child brings balance to the soul through her incredible power on the boards. Her beats and styles cater to listeners of all stripes.

These ladies were recently profiled in local media, KTNV Channel 13, for being the city’s first all-female DJ team. They step out often, showing up at community events. They want to hear our voices and let Las Vegas know they serve us through their music.

Dr. Ellen Brown is a retired university educator and dean and can be reached with thoughts and ideas at ebrown.nci@gmail.com