Nikusia Kooijmans (20)
Second year international business and languages

Nikusia takes at least one hour every evening to practice at home. ‘When I’m recording a mixtape, I jump and dance around the room. They have this same set in clubs around the world. I’m very proud to have my own. It was quite an investment, so I really make sure that my room is properly locked when I leave.’
She raises the rent for her room by playing at parties, although she still refers to herself as a “hobby DJ”. ‘I can’t pay all the bills with the turntable. And by the way, school is far too important for me. I’m very active within the school, for instance by participating in the Programme Advisory Committee, and I’m representative of my class. It would be a waste of my intelligence to give everything up for music.’
But it’s still her dream to be flown across the globe to play all the best parties. ‘I know that I have a long way ahead of me. I’m now focusing on producing my own music, and creating logos and a website. If I really focus, it shouldn’t be impossible to become a famous DJ.’

Text: Saskia Stavenuiter
Photography: Wouter le Duc