Congrats on the single release of You Are! Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind this song? What story were you hoping to narrate?
Thank you! The title itself refers to a track by Black Coffee from 2010. My friend Gio, who booked me in Athens last year, asked his resident DJ to close the club with that track. It’s one of those closing tracks you remember for a lifetime. My girlfriend and I loved listening to it in the car. The track speaks about an intense connection, whether romantic or existential. That’s the message I wanted to convey in “You Are.” in a completely different colour. The funniest part is that Black Coffee plays the track and doesn’t know the story behind it.
‘You Are’ has received incredible support from industry icons like Black Coffee, Shimza, and Pete Tong. How does it feel to have your work recognized by such influential artists?
It’s always such a pleasure to be supported by names like that. These guys have a huge influence in the industry. Just last week, I had a weekend off, and Pete Tong was playing at Soho Garden (Dubai). I thought I’d drop by to catch his set. The moment I walk into the club, he’s playing You Are. So, I make my way in front of him and type on my phone, “Yo I’m Demayä, thank you for playing the track.” Ten minutes later, we were talking in the DJ booth. Ten years ago, I was doing his warm-up in London. That feeling is even more intense than watching a video on your phone.
As a DJ and producer from the South of France now based in Dubai, how have these diverse cultural environments influenced your sound?
Dubai has had a huge impact on my career as a DJ and producer. Since I’ve been living here, I’ve entered a real work dynamic. The scene has evolved massively over the past years. We’re lucky to have all the top DJs from around the world coming here. There are so many places to go, it’s hard to even choose. It’s really interesting for connecting, meeting, and discovering artists. You have the choice to listen to whatever you want. I love going out (when I can) to hear things I’m not used to. And in Dubai, we’re lucky to have that opportunity. It boosts the creativity in a way.
Performing across Europe and collaborating with artists like Moojo and Arkadyan must be exhilarating. What have been some of your most memorable moments so far?
I feel so lucky to be able to travel with these guys. Even if it doesn’t happen often. Benjy and Julien are very close friends first and foremost—people I can truly count on. You have no idea how funny these guys are. One of my best memories was when we all gathered for dinner at my parents’ house on a summer evening, eating, laughing, and having drinks together.
What does a typical day in the studio look like for you? Any rituals or practices that keep you creatively charged?
I don’t have any particular rituals or set times. I can start very early in the morning or very late at night. I like to be in a good environment when making music. I also try to maintain a healthy lifestyle, doing a lot of sports, as I believe it’s important for creativity.
What were your early inspirations that helped you decide to make electronic music?
It all started in 2003 when I was 7 years old. My dad introduced me to Bob Sinclar’s “Africanism” on the living room TV. The whole process of creating the album with all the artists, the studio sessions, the music, etc… I told him that I wanted to do that later. My parents listen to a lot of music, and I remember listening to Pacha Ibiza mixtapes mixed by DJ Pippi (1998) on family vacations, or compilations from Space Ibiza. I feel lucky for those experiences.
What are your musical influences from childhood?
I’m lucky because my parents have great taste in music. Looking back, I can see how much music shaped my childhood. U2, Massive Attack, Pink Floyd, Alpha Blondy, MC Solaar, Jamiroquai, Manu Chao, The Doors , Nirvana (and many more) were all part of the soundtrack of my life. My dad was more into reggae and ska, while my mom was into rock and metal. They definitely educated me musically.
Describes your sound to someone who has never heard it before.
Electronic music with a distinctive sound, blending Afro House and House Music, featuring powerful bass and captivating melodies with strong organic drums and percussion.
What would you do if you weren’t a musician?
I would have been a tennis coach. I wanted to pass my diploma during COVID, and I competed a lot when I was younger.
What is the most important musical equipment invention of all time – and why?
Without much thought, I’d say the computer. It revolutionized the way we create, record, and produce music. The arrival of the computer allowed all these tools to be integrated into one machine, making music accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Finally, what message would you like to leave for your fans as they dive into „You Are“ and your upcoming projects?
With Moojo, we’ve remixed “Linda” by Martin Solveig, which will be out soon. A track we love from his album Heart of Africa, which marked a generation. If you had told me a few years ago that we’d remix Solveig, I wouldn’t have believed you! I also have so much music to share—around twenty finished tracks. I’m planning to release more music in 2025. I am actually very excited for next year.
