DJ and creator of music label raSa, Donna D’Cruz, truly embodies the multiculturalism and creativity of contemporary Australia. Growing up in South India, Sydney and of Euro Asian, Portugese, Dutch and Anglo descent she moved to New York in 1991 where she promoted music by Australians as well as global artists. Four years ago Donna discovered the wonder of creating her own music, becoming a DJ at Jellybean’s Club, an experience she described as a ‘distinctly spiritual trip’ Travelling and playing with the jet- set worldwide Donna launched her own label raSa, producing the increasingly popular raSa mello and raSa exotica albums1, 2 and 3.
All of the raSa albums are distinctive and individual. raSa by definition is the flavor or essence and certainly mello 3 embodies an essence of sensuality. raSa describe the mix as a ‘sexy selection of blissful songs that stick with you long after the CD has finished’.
Throughout her career D’Cruz has used her music to ‘bind rather than separate’ and describes raSa as a way to ‘bridge communities to make the ancient and modern accessible’. An earlier raSa compilation ‘Indialucia’ explores the similarities the classical gypsy music of the Rajput tribe in India and the Flamenco music of the Spanish Andlucians in order to marry the two styles together. Towards the middle of this year raSa will be releasing a new compilation, based on a project dear to D’Cruz’s heart, the township sessions. The township sessions record the music of the mothers and women of the Fulani tribe, who teach their young how to look after themselves via song. Their songs will then mixed by individual DJ’s. Part proceeds from the sale of this album will be given back the Fulani people.
Describing her music as coming from her ‘own heart and intuition as a woman’ and wanting music that would resonate providing ‘some sort of salve to our souls’ D’Cruz has built raSa as a portal for people to ‘find out a little about Spirituality’. Full of surprises and treats for the ears, don’t be surprised to hear 1000 year old texts mixed or words by Deepak Chopra amongst the music of raSa.
Donna D’Cruz spoke to Alex Maltby
