Spotlight: Instagram DJs We're Loving Right Now

Q&AMusic
Written By The Luna Collective
 

☆ BY ANU MAKINDE AND CLARIZA ☆

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ANU’S PICKS

Through the pandemic I’ve relied on the memory of live music to remind me of the energy of life. The experience of it, being lost in a moment and looking back on that lostness days, months and even years later. I nestled in those outrageous moments where my brain couldn’t believe where I was, who I was in the presence of and what my body was feeling. Music I stumbled across from DJ’s BossyLdn and Jyoty reminded me of the euphoric commotion I was craving to replace the anxiety and grief the past 2 years have brought me and people around the world. Now, as things begin to open up in some parts of the world, I’m excited for what they have up next and what this return to dance filled energy means for artistic expression and the experience of it.

JYOTY

As I spent my early days in the pandemic kicking myself in the foot for not having been to more concerts before, I came across a clip of a Boiler Room set on tik tok where “It’s Getting Hot in Here” meshed with “Dancehall Queen” and I felt invigorated from then on. I would fill my days with the hour-long set- barely completing the tasks I set out because the music only allowed dance to accompany it. The Boiler Room set, originally performed in August 2019 by DJ- Jyoty Singh now has over 1 million views.

Gaining traction almost a year later the boiler room set on tik tok reiterates the stillness of time shown through media in the pandemic that cannot exist without overwhelming commotion. Jyoty’s talent has been circulating in the music scene in various ways- as DJing since the 2010’s, a Rinse FM show host since 2016 and hosting DJ workshops FOR among much more. This year in the UK, Jytoy is spinning at a FabricLive show in collaboration with KeepHush and Bone Soda for Carnival on August 27th and Lobsterfest on September 4th. 

BOSSY LDN


A duo from England made up of Izzy Steven and Dhamirah “Dee” Coombes, BossyLdn have been curating events, dj workshops and spinning sets that electrify London’s energetic club scene since 2015. Through their instagram their mission is clear as they “align the stars in music, culture & fashion, Ran by women for everyone”. Hundreds of pictures of their earlier events contain joy, freedom and the unreplicable energy of the club. Perhaps that is why it hurt me to experience their old and new sets through a screen rather than in person in this pandemic. 

Their ear for hip-hop, grime, and dancehall sounds have been showcased in their curated playlists, NTS radio show, and Boiler Room. This past year they’ve collaborated with High Snobiety for a 9 hour global stream raising money for  the World Health Organisation’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response fund, and Domestic Violence charity Refuge. Recently, Dhamirah has started a new journey outside Bossy but can still be caught up with at  @m00dtapes / @diddycoombes. With an event lined up in August for Jamaican Independence Week, City Splash Festival in September and more, Bossy Ldn keeps us inspired by their love of music.

CLARIZA’S PICKS

Music has a mystical way of transporting me out of my mind and into my body. I have a deep appreciation for new sounds from faraway lands or distant times. During the pandemic, I experienced a new feeling of stiffness I haven’t felt before. With venues & events closed for safety, I longed for those sweaty nights; eyes closed, indulging in new, delicious soundwaves curated by the DJ or performing artist. Through the internet, I was able to bring back these feelings while in my little room, dancing with myself in the mirror or with close friends I would be distancing with. These multidimensional DJ’s brought this life back to me while in isolation, inspiring me with sounds old & new.

NOORIYAH

NOORIYAH is a MENA (Middle Eastern & North African) specialist DJ, who also works in film, writing, and voice acting; providing us with vibrant, educational content that brings us dancing with her around the world. Known for her playful videos featuring graphics of the DJ mixing across world maps, video games, and cartoons, this multimedia artist gave us the chance to travel while staying right at home. She curated a mix highlighting the darbouka/tabla drum, featuring videos of MENA dancers and speaking on the influence of the instrument on MENA regions.  Another video mix is a nostalgic tribute to the pan– Arab television channel Spacetoon, with remixes of music from 90’s Arab cartoons. NOORIYAH’s Instagram is loaded with amazing content to hype you up with sounds infused with Middle Eastern and North African culture. Check out her website where she shares her video work with Nike, and a piece for the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival titled ‘Two-Coloured house’ exploring the psychological effects of war on children.

SASHAMVRIE

Creator of audio and visual poetry, as stated in her IG bio, Sasha Marie curates mixes that move the body & soul. Her graphics are nostalgic, with graffiti lettering & poster-like textures. Her mixes highlight a lot of Los Angeles royalty, playing names like Brainstory, MNDSNG, & Liv.e. DJ Sasha Marie blends eclectic mixes filled with varied genres, combining the past and present with names like Frank Ocean & Sade in the same mix. She recently collaborated with Leon Michels, aka El Michels Affair, producer and founder of Big Crown Records, who brings nostalgic sounds to modern air waves. Also a resident DJ with the iconic Soulection Records, Sasha Marie is definitely an OG in the Los Angeles music scene, uplifting the community & bringing a fresh yet nostalgic sound. Check out her Instagram for updates on her upcoming gigs/streams, and marvel at the graphic art she creates with her brand 10 High Designs.

YAEJI

Emerging into the modern house/techno scene, YAEJI is a Korean singer, DJ, and Producer from Queens, NY. She began as a DJ, learning the program TRAKTOR, then shifted to producing her own beats with Ableton. Her most recent creation is titled PAC-TIVE, celebrating the 41st anniversary of the video game Pac-Man and made with samples from the original game. Her remix of Drake’s Passionfruit brought her a lot of attention, along with her Boiler Room set in 2017. YAEJI’s 2020 quarantine Boiler Room session features her seated on a couch in a cartoon world, with memoji’s, videos of her friends dancing around her head, and bubbly, ever-changing background colors. She performs her EP “What We Drew” throughout her DJ set, singing lyrics over her self-produced beats, while mixing in some great house tracks from artists like Wajeed, and her own remix of Dua Lipa’s Don’t Start Now. Her soft vocals can be punchy, while staying cohesive with her vibey house beats. Check out her website, which features show dates, the cutest merch, and an interactive emoji drawing board nostalgic of Windows Paint.

 
“There's no part of me where I'm denying it or I'm ashamed or I don't want to represent that, but I think just some things should go unspoken and just let the art speak. You don't have to say someone is this, someone is that.  Just listen to my music & come up with your own conclusion. That is so freeing to know that I'm not having to adhere to any type of category, genre. I'm just me. I'm a person sharing my experiences & living my life. I don't ever want to be boxed in that way. “ - Deb Never in our 15th Issue 🌟 Photos by @myyaaii Styling by @savwhite Interview by @itssophielol
Dylan Fraser’s catalog explores ruminative pop that is unafraid to experiment with distortion in all of its iterations, & unequivocally embraces vulnerability 🎵 Following the success of 2020’s ‘The Storm’, Fraser has quickly caught the attention of the industry & with his upcoming project, he is ready to cement his position in the new pop canon.  💫Fraser’s new track, “Nightmare”, is out now on all streaming platforms + his new EP, ‘The World Isn’t Big When You Know How It Works’, will be released on August 20th through Atlantic Records. Check out our interview with Fraser to learn more about the new music & what’s next for him ⚡️
“Polaroids & Instax film have a beautiful almost impressionistic feeling that I feel can’t be fully replicated digitally. Instant films contain reactive chemicals that just seem to handle light in color in a special way. Even when I crop my instax photos to remove the border, you can still tell it’s instant film.” - Ryan Scullin 🌟 🎞 Upcoming NYC photographer Ryan Scullin captures a modern perspective when observing the subjects & landscapes around him. Check out the full interview & more of his work on our site now 💗
The Luna Collective
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