Welcome to the Rocks Off 100, our portrait gallery of the most compelling profiles and personalities in the far-flung Houston music community -- a lot more than just musicians, but of course they're in there too. See the entire Rocks Off 100 at this link.
DJ Ill-Set has earned a remarkable reputation as a versatile turntablist with her incomparable energy, skills, dedication and deep passion for music. She inherited these qualities from her American, Cuban and Colombian family that introduced her to many different genres and styles of music, from hip-hop to salsa to house music. Every party she rocks incorporates her Latin flair and variety.
Who? Ill-Set's given name is Lissette Fukuda-Aya, 30, born in Houston's Heights to a Colombian dad and Cuban mom. She is married to Masaru Fukuda, aka DJ Chino/Masaru. ill-set has been DJing and collecting records for more than a decade, and is owner and CEO of Soulphisticated Entertainment.
"My parents used to take me and my brother (DJ Nando 1) to parties or throw house parties with my dad rocking one turntable spinning Latin records," she says. "So I basically grew up in a house with Latin music and dancing all the time.
"At a young age I got in to the hip-hop culture scene watching B-boys, B-girls, poppers, MCs, graffiti writers, and of course DJs," Ill-Set continues. "I began to listen to funk, old-school hip-hop and soul music. Then later I was introduced to the Houston House dance scene and deep, soulful, jazzy, Latin house music. I started break-dancing, at a local spot called Y.A (Youth Advocates). While practicing, I was intrigued by a DJ spinning, MCing, cutting and scratching, inspired by my friend DJ Joe B (Rebel Crew).
Home Base: Ill-Set lives and practices in Houston. Soulphisticated Entertainment, she says, specializes in DJ services, custom VIP & DJ Booth, lighting, sound and DJ-gear rentals and a photo booth for all occasions.She has DJ residencies at House of Blues, NOX Houston, and Top Golf Houston.
"I also do a lot of guest spots at other clubs, venues and events all around," she says. "I am proud member of the Worldwide BumSquad DJs. I have also performed in all over Texas, Miami, L.A., Las Vegas, Kansas City, Mexico, Europe and the Caribbean."