Reecie Tee’s World

When Shareece Richards begins this interview, her voice is a little shaky, her words punctuated by random bursts of laughter, and her infectious smile is very visible. But when the topic of being the only female DJ on More 104.7 radio station comes up, the confidence of DJ Reecie Tee takes over.

Just out of her teens at the age of 20, Reecie Tee has been learning and working for the past eight years to advance her mixing game.

As the daughter of the Hitman Howie Tee, the well-known professional DJ known for being the “Master of Ole School,” it’s clear to see where Reecie gets her passion for the profession, but it’s her work ethic that keeps her going.

Looking back on when it all started she remembers, “I was twelve. It was difficult because I didn’t know what I was doing, but my dad, he kept on showing me stuff and I kept on practicing until I got it.

“I wanted to learn because it looked like fun and I was always nagging him to teach me.” There’s no hiding on her face, just a clear sense of how strong of an impact her father has had on her. “We are very close, like very, very close. I can tell him anything, we talk to each other plenty. [He’s had a big] impact because sometimes when he is playing out [at events], he will carry me and give me a play and other people will get to hear me, so it’s a big impact.” At 13, Reecie played her first event in Gravity night club, “It was very touching. When I mixed the first song, everybody started to make noise and everybody’s hands were in the air.” The deep smile that creeps across her face reaches to her eyes, and they light up as she reminisces for a moment. “It felt awesome.” Now booked to play at her own events all over Trinidad, DJ Reecie Tee popularity is rapidly picking up momentum.

While a female DJ isn’t a new phenomenon, for the most part it is still a male dominated profession. Reecie, however, seems unfazed.

“I’m very confident in myself because I know the skill that I have and it’s just to show people what I can do with music.” Female DJs like Alicia D’Duchess have led the way for a new generation of DJs to take the lead.

Asked if she is inspired by any females within her profession, Reecie explains, “Yea it has a few, like Alicia D’Duchess. I grew up listening and hearing her name… and there’s DJ Charlotte and DJ Ana.” Though she works only amongst men at the radio station, she says, “It’s different but we all have the same passion for music, so it feels good.” For other women she shares the advice that “If [you] really want to do DJing or any other thing just practice and do it until you get it and everything will work out.” Reecie Tee’s World is her time to take over the airwaves of Trinidad and Tobago. On Thursday and Friday afternoons the male DJs step aside and give Reecie her space and time. Working for a radio station which boasts that it exists for the ladies, Reecie says, “It’s an honour to work [at More 104.7] because [it] is the home of icons and for me to be working there is very nice.” Though her goals extend to gaining international success and popularity through her DJing skill, she is starting classes for a degree in Business Management. Incorporating her passion for music with what she learns in order to have her own business, specifically what type of business she isn’t quite sure yet, is a part of her personal definition of success.

“[I define success as] achieving everything I wanted to do in DJing and whatever I decide to do besides DJing, because it is part time not full time.” During any free time, she trades in her DJ Reecie Tee name for “Auntie DJ,” the name given to her by many of the kids she teaches and tutors. A profession she wouldn’t choose over DJing but does acknowledge takes a lot of care and patience, a profession fit for Shareece instead of Reecie Tee.

“Shareece is very shy and quiet, but Reecie Tee, when she steps on a set, she’s not shy at all.”