MELANIN ➔ EXCLUSIVE MIX
Paris- based DJ Melanin delivers her singular and exclusive mixtape for our community. She blends tarraxo, vintage funk, zouk, amapiano, afro bass and house or kuduro to refresh your ears and feelings.
Hey Mimi ! It was your birthday a few days ago;
How are you doin ?
Dear Clarisse, how are you? It’s going to be good…
I celebrated my 25 like it was nothing but this year was a hell of a ride…unexpectedly moving back to Paris after 3 years studying, then living and working in Seoul, I learned so much about myself, my dreams and my interactions with others. I don’t plan anything anymore, I live a carpe diem life with mid-long term goals I kinda know I will achieve.
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You’re currently living in Paris - a city you’re initially from - but used to live in Seoul. In both cities, where do you like to go for clubbing ?
At the time I left Seoul, the parties were thriving and I was 100% certain I would go back. In Europe the 2nd or 3rd lockdown was starting, it’s funny how those continents have delayed and correlated cycles.
In Seoul, the clubbing culture is concentrated in 3 neighborhoods: Itaewon, Hongdae and Gangnam and it’s super competitive, you can go in and out of the club and food places are open h24/24. My favorite place to go clubbing is Cakeshop for international artists, especially at Shade nights ; actually when I was a student in Korea for 6 months I ended up spending more time inside Cakeshop’s basement than in class. Soap is also an amazing place where I ended up doing the warm up several times and remembered playing Street Fighters in the backroom with notable French producers visiting Seoul. Since the pandemic, Seoul’s club scene evolved a lot so now I could recommend Ring as the new cool club for only vinyl acid melodic hard house techno nights with natural wine.
In Paris, I mostly go clubbing in private spaces or to my DJ friends' parties but I like the Petit Palace vibe. I hope I can get the chance to play there ! Djoon club on Sundays to dance while listening to deep afro house music, or If I’m motivated and we have a crew, I can go to MESS parties to rave in some warehouse near some Paris airport.
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I’m searching for ways to enhance curiosity in people. Right now at my small level, I fight for making people go out of their comfort zone, creating debate among friends and family to open our minds about each other.
I know you’re committed to social causes involving the black community and women. What do you aim for, what do you fight for ?
My aim is very candid or naive but I just wish people were more curious, respectful and less judgmental about each other. I’m searching for ways to enhance curiosity in people. Right now at my small level, I fight for making people go out of their comfort zone, creating debate among friends and family to open our minds about each other.
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Mimi, what a nice and rich mix, blending tarraxo, vintage funk, zouk, amapiano, afro bass and house or kuduro. Listening to it, we bump into Ivan Ave, Rakim, Fabolous, Busta 929, Dotorado, Worst Behaviour producer duo and a lot of underground crazy tracks. Mate, what excites you and how do you dig it ?
In music what excites me is the emotion I feel or the image I see while listening to a track. It could be a memory, a scene, a dance move or something I would see myself doing and that’s how I know I like a track. So I dig pretty much everywhere, dj mixes on the radio, producer friends releases, films, in stores, FIP fm, my dad’s vinyl or CDs, even Instagram! But all this, only when I feel like it.
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What are you curious about ?
I’m curious about Fashion, Photography, 3D, Fine Arts, and just any visual details that can be funny for the eye to see. I’m also curious about how the Asian diaspora in Europe/US and the African European diaspora are going to change the music industry.
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Share with us a good night out memory… (i know you got some)
In Saigon, starting late hot nights high up at the Observatory then never ending the weekend DJing doing an 8h b2b2b in this beach house club, Arcan.
In Seoul, when I was starting djing and organizing parties at Dirty Rose Club, this hip hop bar/club/hype space, a bit Colette-inspired. I invited the amazing lil bunbuns, producer and DJ from New York to play, it was a hell of a night! Also my first official dj gig at the legendary Contra Club, I got invited by Femme crew to open for Kim Ann Foxman.
The funniest nights were in Japan. Riding in Tokyo with my sister, meeting people, ending up on the stage of a club with the crowd following our moves or in Metro Kyoto, this Drum and Bass club, we were dancing and banging our heads like never with Japanese regulars.
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« Got Nunchi? » 눈치 // this Korean concept of the subtle art and ability to listen and anticipate others' moods. So for example, anticipating when someone’s going to ask you something, or making sure everyone has a time to talk.”
What matters to you the most ?
How to make people curious, compassionate about the other and think differently, without necessary traveling.
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How would you define your personal ethic ?
« Got Nunchi? » 눈치 // this Korean concept of the subtle art and ability to listen and anticipate others' moods. So for example, anticipating when someone’s going to ask you something, or making sure everyone has a time to talk when we are chilling with friends and debating, opening up the circle when you’re talking with friends and a new friend says hi to one…it’s just being inclusive.
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A track that you’ve been listening to a lot lately ?
Also here, I cannot choose one, so I’m giving you three !
Djy Zan SA - Century
Baba Stilz - Running to Chad
Gaetan Nonchalant - Les légumes
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What projects for 2022 ?
I’ll hope to keep djing and find a space to work on my music this year. Also, I’ve become a resident at oroko radio, independent radio broadcasting from Accra, Ghana and that’s exciting!
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