Producer/DJ
“DON’T BE AFRAID TO STAND OUT AND UNAPOLOGETICALLY BE YOURSELF”
How are you doing? You wear a lot of different hats so you must be pretty busy :)
I’m doing great! Feeling tired sometimes but blessed to do what I do as well.
You’re a producer, how did you get started?
I’m someone that has always been into music. I’ve been an avid listener ever since I was 12 and received my first mp3 player. After some years, I wanted to get into music myself and I started rapping. Afterwards I discovered that what touched me the most about music weren’t the words but the emotions that melodies and drum rhythms could make you feel. It was logical to me that an artist singing about good things would make you feel good but I couldn’t understand why certain elements in a beat would make me feel a certain way. That got me intrigued at what producing and beatmaking was all about, tried it once and I never stopped.
Okay nice! Who are your biggest music inspirations?
I’m the biggest Kanye West fan there is. He’s such an example to me for his creativity, his confidence and how he has manifested everything he has accomplished. He was someone that loved making beats and made it to unseen levels. I respect all musicians who came up in a certain time and brought a style so fresh that it pushed music forward. Besides him I would name Pharrell, Wondagurl, Metro Boomin and Ponko.
That’s a solid list! You've also started streaming your sessions, why, and what do you enjoy about it?
I’ve been making beats for more than 8 years now and I’ve always loved doing it. In those 8 years I managed to meet people that love music like me and I’ve always liked to connect with people. I love to talk about what I’m listening to, share the music I’ve made and also show the creative process that goes into it. Twitch allows me to do this on a regular basis since people from all around the world with the same interests will tune in, share their music with me, have nerdy conversations about producing or even just show love and I love that. It also gives me a platform to invite producers and artists that I like, showcase their talents and have fun while doing so.
Then there's Nueve too, what's it like organising events on top of everything else?
The NUEVE events are something that I’m really proud of since it’s an idea that I’ve had for a while that just came about organically. I think any kind of creative project has a 50/50 ratio on the creative side and the logistical side. NUEVE sometimes feels like it’s 20/80 because there is a lot of preparation and lots of details that go into making one event succeed. However, I’m blessed to work with an amazing team and all past editions have been great so I’m thankful.
What was missing in the scene that made you want to start all this?
I feel like party culture has started to shift in Brussels. When you go outside to events, most of the time you’ll hear the same songs because the public is used to hearing mainstream songs and dj’s feel obligated to play it safe. To me my favorite part about going out has always been about being outside wondering what song a dj might play that will make me Shazam it. This is something I experience constantly when going to events or parties outside of Belgium and it shocks me that I don’t experience this here since Brussels has amazing and diverse music influences. There are events in Brussels that do showcase this like Private Feels for example but I felt like creating a space where music is at the center of the night was something I needed.
It looks amazing so we will definitly have to pass by! Youre also a dj! What’s your go-to drink during a DJ set?
It might sound boring but most of the time it’s just water. I tend to move a lot during my sets and that’s why I need it but otherwise I go for a Moscow Mul
What's a place you'd really want to play a set at?
Great question, I’ve never thought about that. I think I would to play a set on a festival stage like Les Ardentes or Tomorrowland. That would be amazing.
Do you have a dream collaboration?
I would love to work with Stromae. I’ve listened to him since I was in primary school and his come up with the Leçons makes me think of what I’m doing right now with Twitch. I feel like he is the number one francophone artist and I could learn so much from him.
We would love to see that happen! What's the hardest thing about your job(s)?
I think the most challenging thing about having multiple musical projects like these is that it demands lots of energy to be consistent on a daily basis. There are no days off and people count on you all the time. That’s why I always find it important to be in the right headspace and remind myself how much I love everything about music to keep me going.
Random: who would you like to share an elevator with and what would you ask?
Let me think. I love when people give life advice or keys to success so I would either say someone really wise who I could ask about the purpose of life or a millionnaire who can tell me to end up like him/her hahaha
Tell us something to inspire the culture!
To any creative that is reading this, don’t be afraid to stand out and unapologetically be yourself. If you are lucky enough to have found a passion in life, then that’s a gift in and of itself. Life is way too short and tomorrow is not guaranteed so make sure that you’re doing everything in your power to pursue what you love and have fun doing so.
THE NEXT EDITION OF NUEVE IS TOMORROW SEPT 5TH GO CHECK IT OUT.
