Looking to leave his own distinct mark within the electronic dance industry, Moojo portrays his passion for life through music, with the latter becoming an essential aspect of his existence. Masterfully blending traditional Ethnic, African and Latin rhythms with a modern electronic touch, the French-born DJ/Producer evokes a vast array of emotions with each production, whilst his attention to detail, most certainly helps in him standing out from all the rest. A true pioneer within our community, we could not be any happier to be joined by the man of the moment, as he talks main influences and inspirations, the origin of his style of play, garnering support from elite acts within the dance scene, the foundation of his own label, Calamar Records, embarking on his most recent tour in the US and so much more.
Hello and thank you for joining us! Could you provide us with an insight on the main inspirations/influences that led to your chosen career pathway in music?
"Thank you for having me! My journey in music started at a young age. Growing up in Nice, my father and older brother were instrumental in shaping my passion for music. Borrowing my father's old CDs, I spent countless nights immersing myself in the music of legends like Bob Marley, Ray Charles, and Pink Floyd. Later, my brother introduced me to the hip-hop and R&B sounds of the 90s and 2000s, which added another layer to my musical influences. Over time, this mix of roots, culture, and genres became the foundation of my career, driving my love for creating and sharing music."
Surrounding yourself with diverse musical influences, we would like to know the origin of your style of play, and how your sound has shaped in recent times?
"My style is rooted in rhythmic, ethnic sounds with electronic influences and house grooves. I've always had a love for African rhythms and percussions, which I blend with electronic elements to create something warm, vibrant, and danceable. Over the years, my sound has evolved to reflect my own journey -- drawing from the Afro-house genre while experimenting with new textures and grooves. I think my recent releases show a balance between staying true to my roots and exploring new dimensions in my music."
Blending various cultural styles of music with contemporary electronic elements, could you talk us through your approach towards music production, and the significance behind a versatile nature?
"For me, music production is about storytelling and creating emotion. My process often begins with an idea or a feeling that inspires me -- sometimes even while watching a movie. I focus on finding rhythms and melodies that connect deeply, then experiment by merging them with electronic elements to craft something unique. Being versatile allows me to blend different cultures and genres seamlessly, which not only keeps my music fresh but also makes it accessible to people from all over the world. This fusion creates authenticity and, in a way, celebrates the diversity of music itself."
Garnering support from elite acts within the dance scene, as well as amassing millions of streams for your releases, we would like to know the overall feel behind such recognition, as well as the motivation gained when receiving accolades for your music?
"It's an incredible feeling to see your work resonate with people and to have the support of some of the biggest names in the industry. Recognition like this motivates me to keep pushing boundaries and exploring new ideas. When I see people connecting with my music, whether it's on a streaming platform or on the dancefloor, it's a reminder of why I started making music in the first place: to share joy, emotion, and a sense of unity."
Creating a legacy within the dance music and not only, could you talk us through the initiatives taken in a bid to offer support to aspiring artists, the foundation of your label, Calamar Records, as well as the initiation of the Creativity Lab and its sole purpose?
"Calamar Records was born from my passion for collaboration and my desire to support talented artists. It's a space where creativity thrives, and everyone involved is like family. Through the label and the Creativity Lab, we aim to provide a platform for upcoming artists to showcase their work, experiment with their sound, and grow. It's about creating opportunities and sharing knowledge while fostering a collective spirit of innovation and authenticity."
Releasing one fire production after the other, tracks such as 'Secret ID' and 'Hate It Or Love It' have made waves in recent times. We would like to know the main thought process behind each, as well as your own outlook on the success they have achieved?
"'Secret ID' and 'Hate It Or Love It' both came from a desire to push boundaries while staying true to my style. For 'Secret ID,' I wanted to create something mysterious yet deeply groovy -- a track that would captivate listeners from the first beat. 'Hate It Or Love It' was all about contrast, balancing powerful rhythms with emotive melodies. The success of these tracks has been incredible, and it's rewarding to see how they've connected with audiences worldwide."
Bringing the heat with each of your live performances, we would like to know your preparation process before each show, as well as an overview on the recent US tour and the experience as a whole?
"Before a show, I like to spend time reading the energy of the venue and the crowd. I prepare a playlist with tracks that I can draw from, but I never plan my sets down to the minute -- I love to improvise and adapt based on the moment. The US tour was unforgettable! Each city brought a unique vibe, and it was amazing to connect with such diverse audiences. The energy, the support, and the overall experience reminded me of why I love performing so much."
With 2024 now coming to a close, could you provide us with any hints on what the future looks like for Moojo, always in terms of new music, upcoming collaborations and live performances?
"The future is looking very exciting! I have some amazing collaborations in the works with artists I deeply admire. There's also a lot of new music on the way, with tracks that will explore new sounds while staying true to my roots. As for live performances, I'm planning more international tours and working on creating immersive experiences for my shows. Stay tuned -- 2025 is going to be a big year!"
Remarkable in every sense of the word, we will be keeping a close eye on Moojo and all his future endeavours within the dance scene, but for the time being, you can stay fully up to date by following him on Facebook, Instagram and Spotify!