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Mataji Booker
Where were you born?
In the psych ward of a Culver City hospital. Am I allowed to say that? It's true.
Where did you grow up?
Born and raised in LA in between a pair of rolling hills and next to a lone highway. It was interesting, because five minutes east by car is a major urban epicenter, the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza and Leimert Park. But in a lot of ways I always felt like I sort of grew up out in the country. That’s what I love about the topography of LA and California in general.
What do you do and how did you got started?
Modeling took me to London, where I fell in love for the first time, had my heart broken for the first time, and my healing process for that life changing event turned out to be writing and singing songs over one string of a guitar! So after having been primarily a dancer my whole life up until that point, it was interesting all of a sudden at 21 to realize that I had this gift to sing and play music. DJ’ing was always waiting to happen because I fell in love with records and music at a young age, and always knew it was something I would do. It is in fact for me another extension of singing.
Your talents assume many forms. What are your favorite means of self-expression?
I don’t think I have a favorite really, but both singing and DJ'ing are the two that bring the most fulfillment, just because music is such a healing and inspiring element. But I’m very spontaneous and try to remain fluid to my artistic instincts; therefore I set no boundaries, rules or ways things should normally get done.
Who have been your favorite musicians to work with?
I love working with musicians that are doing something completely different than what I’m used to doing. It’s great to put myself into situations where I’m sort of forced to grow in a new way; to figure out how to blend my style of vocalizing into someone else’s world of music. The raw materials that are born from these types of situations are the most rewarding because I like to try and create something that’s never been done before. In every medium that I work with.
Who would you like to make music with in the future?
In general, anyone that feels right to be working with. There’s nothing sweeter than when musicians come together and you all really connect and it's like magic. I want to cross over into another culture completely and merge worlds. I’m very much interested in making music merging the many rhythms, instruments and styles from Colombia, Mexico, and Spain (Flamenco) just to name a few. There’s absolutely no end.
Who is a person you admire?
Anyone who is doing what they’ve always envisioned for themselves. People that live by example and spread good vibes. Definitely someone who is actively making a difference.
You’ve been described as a storyteller. How is that title relative to your daily life?
Everything, person and place has a story to tell and this really gets me excited! I find myself always reaching deeper as to how to find a way to bring more stories into the world for people to enjoy. Whether it’s through song, film, visual art, dance, all of the above. Stories, always stories.
What influences you?
Music. Experiences. People. Vibrations and color. The mystery and or history of people and places. Traveling, being in transit. Being a fashion model.
What are your thoughts of the industry and its influence on females?
Although it is refreshing to see that in comparison to when I started out, there are more magazines, clothing lines, and tv shows starting to represent "real" women more; at the end of the day I think that there are still great strides that need to be made in relation to challenging socially perceived and accepted stereotypes about ethnicities, age, body types, and all the differences that make us who we are as a whole. By this I mean in terms of really showing young women images that they can not only relate to, but that can look up to as well. But like, on the regular!
Why did you accept the Advocacy?
My initial vision for myself as a model has always been to help challenge the perception of what is collectively considered to be ‘beautiful’ or normal. As an independent artist I strive to work in ways that haven’t been done. So aside from the obvious honor of being chosen for the Advocacy, it is the perfect platform to reach out to other women, particularly the younger generations, and share some of my experiences as a fashion model, as an artist following her dreams, and of course as a multi-racial female.
With your platform as an Eden Advocate, what message would you like to share with girls that will read or hear about you?
I have had people in the industry straight up tell me I would never find success in this as a model because I was too this or not enough of that. One agent in ny told me I should just plain give up, and that was only 2 years ago and now the LA branch of that same agency ended up booking me for my first Element job, which has led me here today! It’s important to remember that things sometimes take time to incubate, so you have to be patient, and for god’s sake, don’t ever stop becoming, without limitations, the person you envision yourself to be.
