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If you’re a pop culture junkie, you might recognize DJ Tracy Young from The Real Housewives of Atlanta, where she recently appeared alongside ex-girlfriend Kim Zolciak. But if that’s the only reason you know her, you’re crazy. Since 1991, Ms. Young has racked up a total of 40 Billboard number one hits, DJ’ed Madonna’s wedding, and spun records for everyone from Cher to Diddy.
During the run-up to her famous Genesis party on New Year’s day, New Times spoke to the spinstress about Miami, reality TV, and her wig-wearing ex.
New Times: You just moved to New York City. How is it different from Miami?
Tracy Young: I don’t even know what to do with myself. It’s so cold. I moved to LA for a relationship. And when that ended, I was pissed. I regretted leaving Miami, because I might not be from there, but I consider Miami home. I was there for 12 years! I was thinking about going back to Miami. But I figured I would go to New York City and try out something new. I am single and can be myself… I’m back and forth quite a bit.
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You’ll be back for Mansion’s new year’s day party. What can people expect?
This party has turned into something so massive! Honestly, in the beginning, it was an experiment. I was sick of New Year’s Eve and all that comes with it: parking, being somewhere at a specific time, and making sure all your friends were there. I was like, “Why don’t we do a morning party?” I knew in the gay community they had been popular, so I figured it was worth a try.
What do you think of the rise of the girl DJ?
I think it’s fantastic. The only thing I don’t like is when I see girls half-naked in the booth. I’m not sure if it’s the male club owners who are doing it, or if the girls are doing it, but I come in jeans and a T-shirt and I’m there to play music. But if that’s what they want to do, then why not? I wish they wouldn’t — no one is going to take you seriously. You want people drooling over your music, not you.
You were just on Real Housewives of Atlanta. How was that experience?
Did I hate it? Yes, I did. At the end of the day, Kim and I had a very personal experience and I never wanted to be on that show. I was talked into it. I wish Kim the best [and] I don’t regret any of it. But I was extremely uncomfortable. It was just an experience, I guess.
What was it like to have your love life talked about on TV?
I mean, it’s weird to have your life talked about on TV. It’s weird to see how she talked about me. It was very strange. The Kim I see on TV isn’t the Kim that I met. But that might be the real Kim. Who knows? [The person] I saw privately was different. Being on a reality show wasn’t how we spent our time together.
What does 2011 look like for you?
A great year! A lot of gigs, producing, a lot of music! I’m going back to my roots. I’m not a housewife. Never was.
