To listen: From Marseille, Mystique sends 1 hour of hybrid riddims between dancehall, bubbling and afro-house

” Stuck to the riddim is what we can read about Mystical. Based in Marseille, the DJ is passionate about the sound system culture of the Latin, Afro-Caribbean and Arab diasporas around the world. Specializing in popular music from the southern hemisphere, her rhythmic sets are the fruit of a real mastery of her subject and a strong political conscience. ” She defends the cultures she loves, and she does it well. », describes Luis, programmer at Rinse France, about the residence that the artist occupies there twice a month. “ We feel it as much in her selections as in the choice of guests she can offer. »

Today, Mystique delivers for Trax an irresistible mix, which mixes dancehall, bubbling and afro-house with a hybridity and an insane energy. In addition, she confides in her approach and her project “Murda on he Dancefloor”, a work of archiving popular music that she undertakes in particular via her programs at Rinse.

First of all, how are you today and how was your summer?

Hi Trax! Great, thanks for the invite. The season has been great. Rich in encounters and opportunities.

Can you tell us about this mix you made for us?

I wanted to work around Jamaican Dancehall and its more electronic forms, especially those linked to the Flex* culture of Brooklyn. You will also be able to hear instrumentals from Angolan Afro-House and French-speaking Urban Kiz, some hybrid riddims and Bubbling tracks from the Dutch West Indies.

*Flex (or Bone breaking): Dance inspired by Bruk-Up, which evolved in the heart of the Caribbean communities of Brooklyn during the 2000s. From the original dancehall riddims on which dancers competed, was born the Flex Dance Music. It is built around the “Volume riddim” of Ward 21 & Lloyd ‘King Jammy’ James to which are added 808s and jerky ragga or trap acapellas. Trax

Under what conditions was it recorded?

Mmmmh… Very modestly in the middle of my living room, one evening of the week, between all my books, my CDs and my cassettes (as always haha).
I devote myself to music in my spare time. For the rest of my days, I work in the northern districts of Marseille with young people, less young people and people excluded from the school system. I mediate around digital technology and am in the process of setting up a Fab-Lab. At the moment we are devoting a lot to computer music software, I have a few budding DJs and rappers who are very motivated!

For those who discover you today, how would you describe your universe and the style(s) of music you play?

I don’t have a universe strictly speaking but I like to work around popular music and its place in the social space. I am more specifically interested in the practices born of Arab, Latin American and Afro-Caribbean communities.
With my multicultural background, I am very attached to the representations that are constructed through sound and its diffusion. It is a form of expression that allows us to better understand our own identity and to build an open knowledge of the groups with which we interact. It also and above all allows you to find yourself. My sets can really vary from night to night, but the dynamics are always the same.

Can you tell us about your project “Murda on the Dancefloor”, your work of archiving popular music and its radio transcription via your monthly on Rinse France?

My work via “Murda on the dancefloor” is specifically aimed at promoting the musical heritage and the history of its authors. It is important to understand how and why music is born, moves and transforms.
I started this bi-monthly residency on Rinse just a year ago, with the idea of ​​being able to accompany listeners on a journey of discovery. On my first show, I do dedicated sets. On the other, I invite DJs, producers or singers to perform, I try my best to support emerging artists.
In order to better convey my point, I try to highlight the documentary and informative resources that I have been compiling now for many years. I was lucky this summer to be able to organize the first IRL events and screening cycles around the emergence of Reggaeton in Puerto Rico and the Egyptian Mahraganate.

Do you want to try your hand at production one day?

Not immediately, but why not!
For the moment, I rather aim to curate projects, continue programming with, I hope, one day more means and organize cycles of studies or discussions around music.

Where can we see you play this fall?

I will be at the end of September at Razzmatazz in Barcelona with the Muevelo x Jet Lag team. Then in October in Geneva, for one of Bony Fly’s Dancehall Fusion events at La Gravière.
In Marseille, you can find me with Guerre Maladie Famine, as part of our series of STYX evenings at Métaphore Collectif. See you on October 22 with Camélia, Ecstasya and Miss Sheitana.
Otherwise, still and always present on the waves of Rinse France. See you soon ! <3

Track list

1. HITMAKERCHINX – Regg Boom
2. DJ DREEKS – Kizoraxxa Apocalypse Rmx
3. ALKALINE – One Inna Dem Head
4. DJ VIELO – Koh Lanta
5. TEEJAY – Dem Naah Kill Nobody
6. DJAARON “THE MIXX KING” – MayDay, Pt. 1
7. DAVINCII PRODUCTIONS – Jasmine
8. KALIBWOY – Soprano
9. HITMAKERCHINX – Virus
10. AKIF SARIKAYA – Anlatabiliyor Muyum Baba
11. GOD FULL EFFECT – Come Back In
12. YOKAI THE DEITY (feat. UNINAMISE AND DAVINCII PRODUCTIONS) – 28Low Life
13. FALLOW & GRIZ-O – Don’t Give Up Instrumental
14. AIDONIA – BaAD!
15. STACKTRACE – Wicked Sitar
16. DJ BI-ONE & DJ GHOST FACE – This is Sparta
17. MANDELA (feat. KALIBWOY) – Cyaan Do Me Nothing
18. HEARTBEATS PRO – Touch
19. ENMERIS – Mi Ta Golos Golos
20. ARMAĞAN ORUÇ – Dancia
21. RHYME MINISTER & MAVADO – Kill And Get Weh
22. JAY LIMA – Hybrid