Iconic Hacienda DJ to release explosive memoir on her life in the music industry

DJ Paulette, a true icon and trailblazer in the music industry, is set to release her highly anticipated memoir, “Welcome to the Club,” offering readers an intimate glimpse into her extraordinary life and a behind-the-scenes perspective on the highs and lows of her three-decade-long career.

You can find out more about DJ Paulette’s trailblazing work here.

DJ Paulette

In this groundbreaking autobiography, DJ Paulette, who earned a DJ Magazine lifetime achievement award in 2022, takes us on a journey from her early days as one of Haçienda’s first female DJs to her illustrious residencies at iconic venues like Heaven, Ministry of Sound, and international stints in Paris and Ibiza.

The book promises a candid exploration of the challenges she faced, from the euphoric moments playing to thousands worldwide to the harsh realities of being sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic, devoid of furlough and government support.

Welcome to the Club

“Welcome to the Club” is more than just a personal account; it’s a call to arms that shines a light on the exclusivity, misogyny, racism, and classism prevalent in the dance music industry.

Paulette courageously exposes these issues while celebrating the powerful women who have been instrumental in keeping the beat alive.

Her story is a testament to resilience and a rallying cry for equality.

Notable figures have praised DJ Paulette and her book.

Maxine Peake commends her as an icon and activist, while Craig Charles recommends “Welcome to the Club” as an essential read.

Iconic poet Lemn Sissay describes the book as a fascinating insight into the music business from the perspective of a Northern Black woman, highlighting Paulette’s incredible spirit.

Praise for DJ Paulette’s new book

Rowetta

• “Paulette is someone I’ve always respected, admired and been inspired by. This book is beautifully written, incisive, dry, witty and real – true Mancunian honesty. What an adventure and a truly fascinating life.”

Arielle Free

• “Paulette is a pioneer, a ground-breaker, a trailblazer and never afraid to hold a mirror up to the world to show that there is still so much more to do. A self-assured shimmy of a book that instantly transports you to the dancefloor and beyond. I love it!”

Paul Flynn

• “‘When I first met Paulette, back in that pivotal space of early 1990s Manchester, I don’t think any of us understood what we were getting out of nightlife beyond raw enjoyment.  Now we’ve had a chance to re-evaluate those codes, to understand how much they meant in forming us as people. This book explains why nightlife maters, beamed in directly from a vanguard position behind the DJ booth. Paulette understands the philosophy of the nightclub because she was there when it was at its very best.”

Kate O’Donnell

• “I arrived in 1990s Manchester, found a place to live and a job then got dragged up, went clubbing and there was DJ Paulette on the decks. She made being an outsider look hot, and I wanted in.  Her energy and music were the soundtrack to my queer gender-bending dance floor years. Decades on I still want to be in her club. If music and clubbing played an important part in your life, then so will this book.”

Simon Dunmore

• “I now realise the weight of the obstacles and challenges Paulete overcame, her fortitude to compete in male-dominated arenas, the racism she undoubtedly encountered. Her mettle and contribution have opened doors for the diversity and equality we strive for today.”

Princess Julia

• “With fierce resilience and passion, DJ Paulete’s travels through clubland reveal her triumphs over life’s adversities. A book filled with music and love, positivity and enthusiasm. “

Andy Burnham

• “Any list of the pioneers of the Manchester club scene, and the international scene it so heavily influenced, is not complete without the name of DJ Paulette. Ours is a city that celebrates those who challenge elites, break down barriers and open doors for others to walk through. Paulette has done all of those things and more and that is why we are so proud of her.”

If you’d like to pick up a copy of this book, you can get it on January 2024 for £20.00 in Hardback, ISBN number 9781526166906