GENUINE MOMENTS WITH STYLISH SINNER “My goal has always been...
GENUINE MOMENTS WITH MOONE
“I want people to feel something, anything” – Moone
Who is Moone?
That’s the first question I asked the multi-talented, self-taught Ivorian DJ, artist, playlist curator, and writer.
Their portfolio is vast, ranging from beautifully curated playlists with seamless transitions to emphatic poetry and thought-provoking interviews. For Moone, creativity is not just an impulse but a necessity, channeling expression in any possible medium.
Moone is intentional about how you experience their work, tastefully selecting and blending music that takes listeners on a sensational auditory voyage. “Bottom line, I want people to feel something, anything,” they assert. And believe it or not, they achieve this by bullying the audience into enjoying themselves.
So, who is Moone when the curtains are drawn? What drives them? What distinguishes them from other DJs in the game? Last Sunday, amidst their busy schedule, I managed to catch Moone for an intimate conversation to uncover the answers to these burning questions.
Hint: Just like the rest of us, they love, laugh, and contemplate life to the point of existentialism. I mean, we all do this, right? Right?!!
Who are you? What’s your vibe? Are you the life of the party, a wallflower, or somewhere in between? What’s your philosophy on life, and what fuels your fire?
“Who am I?” They mused. “It’s still hard for me to define myself. I’m on a journey of self-discovery, but people often describe me as soft and peaceful.”
“I’m an artist, a DJ, a writer, and a lover.”
“I’m not exactly the life of the party, you know. I rarely go out. Only this year have I started making an effort to go out more because it’s part of my job and a way to learn. But I hardly spend more than two hours at any event; sometimes, even an hour is enough. I get overwhelmed easily, which probably explains it. But I tend to stay longer when the music is good or when my friends are around.”
“I’ve also realized that I’m quite pessimistic. My outlook on life is sort of different and sometimes sadder than how others see it, so finding something that fuels me has been challenging. However, music and my friends have been doing a great job so far.”
A lover, huh? Could you give us more context?
“I absolutely adore love. Once, a friend and I agreed that love should be the ultimate religion. I cherish the act of loving and being there for people, and having that reciprocated is wonderful. I’m just trying not to overdo it or lose myself in the process.”
“I struggle with people-pleasing, so sometimes the lines get blurred, and loving becomes challenging.”
It’s quite interesting that you don’t consider yourself the life of the party. The DJ life is quite the whirlwind—always on the go and deeply immersed in vibrant social scenes. It must be quite the balancing act. How do you manage the hustle and bustle of it all?
“Chai, I don’t know. I still consider myself a baby DJ, and although the hustle is just beginning, I’m already feeling worn out”
I know you’ll find a way to hack the system with time!
“I need to! It’s my escape from capitalism. That 9-5 life with the labor is not my cup of tea AT ALL.”
I can 100% relate. Have you tried it out before? Have you ever had a structured corporate work experience, or does just the thought of it put you off?
“I did!!! And wow, labor just doesn’t make sense, does it? Why are we working? We should be in a garden, growing things and singing acapella around a fire. Reminds me of a phrase I once saw: We are human beings, not human doings.
Well, that has given me something to think about for the rest of the day
What does music mean to Moone?
As a DJ and master of playlists, it’s obvious that music is central to Moone’s life. But I was curious to understand just how far this connection stretches. Here’s what they had to say.
As both a creator and consumer of music, what does it mean to you?
“Do I create music? I don’t think so; I just humbly play around with it. But music is everything to me. It’s so fascinating—I don’t even know how to express it.”
“Music has always been a part of my life; I can’t imagine living without it. It’s become an additional element at this point. Like air, fire, and water, you have music.”
If you were an Avatar, we all know what you’d be bending. Though I’d argue that, on some level, you are a creator. When you play around with music, blending sounds and adding your own flair, you create something new and beautiful.
“That’s an interesting way of seeing it; I have to agree.”
What tunes do you gravitate towards when you’re not in the DJ booth?
“Oh, I listen to everything as long as I like it. My personal playlist is vast, featuring artists like Hozier, Wizkid, Raye, and Amadou & Mariam. I have no limits—unless it’s heavy metal. I can’t handle heavy metal because chale why are they shouting in my ears like that? Do we have beef?”
Your taste is impeccable. Hozier is fitting of the personality I’ve come to associate you with. He’s a real lover. Just like you!
“I love this man; he’s one of my favorite white men, probably because he’s Irish. He understands love.”
“Now I’m curious, what personality do you associate with me?”
Lover + deep and reflective. It makes perfect sense that you’d like Hozier.
Hahaha very interesting! I’m 100% an overthinker.
Called it!
Moone’s experience as a DJ
This one is for my rave heads.
How did you start your journey as a DJ? What was the moment you realized this was your passion? Tell us about the first time you played with music and when it started to mean something to you.
“You know, I never thought about being a DJ. I wanted to be a playlist curator, maybe work as an A&R at Spotify, even though I studied banking and finance.”
“So, I was mainly doing playlists at first, and it was one of my friends back in the day who suggested I try DJing, that I might like it.”
Did you hate or love school? Or were you indifferent?
“Very indifferent, but I love studying. I don’t know why. I enjoy making notes and summaries, and calculus. I loveeeeeee numbers, OMG! Like, what do you mean 1+1=2? Crazy.”
You’re gonna be spinning at Group Therapy IV. How exciting! I’m curious, though; do you only mix house music, or do you have experience with other genres as well?
“I mostly play electronic music, but from African artists and the diaspora. Afro house, Afrotech, Gqom, Kuduro—all that goes in. I also try to incorporate some other experimental sounds here and there but still electronic. I play what I like or what I think will sound good.”
“I’m so excited for Group Therapy”
Me too!! Can’t wait to watch you perform! Oontz oontz! Are you passionate about working the disc?
“Oh yeah, otherwise, that would be cringe. Nah, imagine DJing by force, Jesus! Of all things that should be fun.”
“Oontz oontz for life! There’s actually no deep meaning to why I play; I tested it, loved it, and now it’s my exit from capitalism. If anything, playing is just a normal thing that I do now, it’s like playlisting 2.0.”
Live playlisting and watching the reactions of the people hearing you blend. Beautiful.
“Exactly, OMG, I was thinking those exact words yesterday!”
What sets you apart from the crowd? How would you describe your unique style and what inspires it?
“I don’t know; maybe my audience can tell better than me. Sometimes, I consider myself a lazy DJ when I see some of my peers playing around with effects and stuff. But I’m a blender; my goal is to make the most seamless transitions. I’m good with echo and reverb. I don’t want to know what the rest does.”
“That’s why my selection is important. I’m carefully picking the tracks so that I don’t have to embellish them with flashy effects; they are already immaculate as they are. I’m just here to blend them to create a hypnotic experience.”
“Bottom line, I want people to feel something, anything, and too many effects can easily distract. You need to feel the track being injected into your veins, a direct line to your heart and mind.”
No detours, haha. Have there been times you had to change your set last minute based on the crowd’s vibe?
“Hmm, let me think. I think that as a DJ, it inevitably happens. You have to adapt to the crowd because your job is to make them dance. However, I’m also a bit of a bully because I believe I’m the one creating the vibe. And since I’m creating the vibe, I have the responsibility to curate the right one.”
“Anyway, I no longer play at venues where the type of music I specialize in isn’t appreciated. I’m an Electronic Music DJ; I won’t be playing at an R&B or Afrobeats party.”
What do you love most about being a DJ?
“Transitions!”
“When I play, I reach a point where I don’t even see the crowd anymore. It’s just me and the music. I love that part because if I’m not happy, nobody should or will be”
That may just be the reality of things. Happy DJ, happy audience. What’s one piece of wisdom you’ve gained on this journey that’s made a lasting impact?
“I’ve learned that you’re the one communicating the energy, and I keep learning that.”
“I’m a very transparent person; communication is hard, but my face tells everything. As a DJ and a perfectionist, it’s a lot of work to keep sharing positive energy with the crowd, especially after you’ve just messed up a crucial transition that was supposed to be awesome. They probably didn’t notice, but I did.”
When you’ve delivered below your expectations, does it impact the rest of the set?
“No, not the rest of my set, just my self-esteem.”
Oh, I feel you. Bombing is part of it though. Especially as a baby DJ. You get better and bomb less.
“Right! You know, I’ve been playing for 3 years, but I still feel like it’s my debut. Maybe I should stop calling myself a baby DJ.”
Moone behind the scenes
There’s more to Moone than playing sets. I could tell that just from a quick scroll on their Instagram page. But it’s best to hear it from the horse’s mouth.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of DJing? I understand that you write. What’s that like?
“Yeah, I crochet, I have a newsletter, and I host a radio show.”
“My newsletter focuses on art and music; I interview creatives and also write about other things, doing album reviews and such.”
“My radio show is just me sharing songs I like. I used to have a podcast, but I haven’t recorded anything for a year or so now.”
What do you hope to be remembered for? What are your dreams and aspirations? Any exciting events or collaborations coming up that you can share with us?
“Oh, tough question. Honestly, I don’t know. People will remember me differently depending on their experiences with me, but overall, I hope it’s a good experience.”
“I’m a pessimistic person. Dreams and aspirations are not easy; I’m just taking life one day at a time. I just want to be happy and safe, and for my friends to be happy and safe, and to travel.”
“Speaking of traveling, I will be in Europe this summer! I’ll be spinning around there, so watch out for dates!!”
That’s what we love to hear!! This has been an enlightening and enriching experience, Moone. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you and sharing laughs with you.
“See, I’m so funny! It was really nice indeed, and I totally enjoyed the conversation! It’s been a pleasure.”
What an absolute gem!
Introspective, easy-going, and perpetually with love on the brain, it just makes sense that Moone likes to listen to Hozier. Behind the thrilling transitions lies a person deeply connected to the essence of music, creative expression, and life itself.
Moone possesses a remarkable talent for evoking a spectrum of sensations from their audience, be it through exhilarating tunes or captivating words, embodying the spirit of a true artist.
I know I’ll be at Group Therapy to watch them shine. I, too, want to feel something, anything.
