When it comes to the double-duty of doing one hustle while juggling a fledging modeling career, some claim they do it. Some try to do it. In the case of Houston native DJ Southern Belle, this is her daily hustle – the model slash DJ has made the successful transition from in front of the camera lens right to the turntables, and there’s no looking back…. or is there?

Avenue 1: So tell us about the mixtape out now – how did everything come together?
DJSB: The name of the mixtape is entitled Southern Unplugged: The Preamble. Southern Unplugged was the name of the company that me and JL wanted to do, but it didn’t work out with the name. As I was doing this mixtape, I couldn’t think of the name, so the word Southern Unplugged came about. I’m covering all the Confederate States into this mixtape. The South has a different type of movement, than anywhere else. The mixtape is gonna be various of series. The title “The Preamble” is basically a little taste of what’s coming in the near future.

How tough is it for a female DJ who doesn’t spin mainly R&B to be taken seriously?
Hell it’s tough for a female DJ to be taken seriously no matter what genre she’s spinning. (IMO) Just because she has T&A, that doesn’t mean that she’ll make it. She’s gonna have to take it FURTHER than the guys, and as soon as she gets there, she STILL has the go 3xs harder than the fellas. This is a male dominated field! It’s NOT gonna be easy.

You recently attended the Ozone Awards – was it as bad as the reports were making it out to be?
(laughs) Do I REALLY need to discuss the situation? Well…all I can say is, is that we (the people) already know that it’s not gonna be in Houston ANYTIME soon. But like what someone said, TJ and Julia will be ok as long as you keep buying floor seats for next year’s awards.

What’s the scene really like down in Houston?
Besides the fact that it gets 90 degrees before 10am (laughs), the Houston scene is different. We have our own style here, and everybody is laid back. We don’t judge on what you wear and what type of car you drive. We’re more so of a “go with the flow” type of city.

We ask this for the average man reading, since this a man’s magazine – how can that lucky dude win his way into your pa… heart?
Be himself!! That’s all I ask for. Don’t come to me with lines and b.s., just be yourself and everything else will fall into place.

What’s next for DJ Southern Belle?
I’m starting my tour called Where’s Khinnidi?: The Kotton Khinnidi Tour. Khinnidi is my serious, but fun & sexy alter ego. I’m going to be giving away cotton candy and mixtapes while I either host events or DJ them, or both. I’m also working on Southern Unplugged: The Mississippi Commandments. The state of Mississippi shows me SOOOOOOOOOOOO much love. MS and TX has that bond that people don’t understand. So I decided to jump over a few states and let Mississippi do their thang.

What would you say to people who think that all you do is party?
Hmmm….that’s a good question. I don’t too much be out in the scene like that, but I don’t party 24/7…I mostly GRIND 24/7… no make that 28/11! Yes, I do like to party and all, but right now, I’m out here in this industry to grind out there and to be taken seriously. Putting my name out there.

www.myspace.com/djsouthernbelle

Click the mixtape cover to download