Listen to full mix on SoundCloud
DEH’YA
SAVVV
We would love for you to tell us a bit about this mix and your approach going into it?
My approach for going into this mix was blending all of my favourite genres (Gqom, Kuduro, Jungle, Electronic, Future Beats, etc) while staying on the theme of Deh’ya and mixing that with Caribbean music – Soca, Dancehall, Reggae and Calypso.What’s your relationship with the Caribbean? Do you feel any of those influences in your sound?Both of my parents are from Trinidad — I was born in Canada but we travelled there almost every year during my childhood. The first genres of music I've known were Soca, Calypso and Reggae so it will always be a part of me and my influence in sound.When did you start to develop an interest in global sounds? How did that come about?I was introduced to genres like Baile Funk, Kuduro, Gqom, Afro House, etc from listening to DJ's from around the world in online sets/radio shows and hearing DJ's from Toronto play those sounds in parties (Hangaelle, Minzi, Onii-Sama, Afrique Like Me, Miles, Kazeem) which led to me researching more about those genres in my own time and expanding my music library.
After learning how to spin during the pandemic, what were some of the challenges you faced breaking into the DJ scene in Toronto?
My biggest challenge was not knowing where I would fit in as a DJ. I love playing future beats and global music but sometimes the average person going to the club just wants to hear mainstream songs so to this day, I do blend the mainstream with more experimental sounds to keep both of us happy (lol).
What prompted you to launch your platforms Jusss Listen and See You Later? What have you learned throughout those experiences, in general or about yourself?I started off doing a bi-weekly soundcloud mix series just for fun in the pandemic. I think since everyone was home we all had more time to connect with each other so I made a lot of online DJ friends during this time from around the world — they asked me to be apart of their platforms in the form of guest mixes so I've done radio shows for friends in London, Paris, Asia, USA, Nigeria and Indonesia. This led me to create my own radio show and at the time, ISO Radio were looking for residents so the timing was perfect and now it's been 3 years of Jusss Listen. Eventually, I created my party See You Later which is the in person experience of Jusss Listen — all future beats, global music, house, garage and everything else we love that you wouldn't usually hear in the mainstream club. I'm still learning and growing but it taught me the importance of staying true to myself and the music that I love, building a genuine community organically and giving back to them as much as I can.With those platforms continuing to grow, do you have any further expectations for yourself as a DJ?Too many to name! My goal right now is to keep growing See You Later into a bigger space and staying true to my vision of pushing these sounds to a larger audience.Last but not least, what separates you as a DJ from others in the city.I feel like I don't really try to "separate myself" from the DJs in Toronto because everyone is so talented in their own ways and I get inspiration from many of them. I try to just focus on my own goals and journey and play what I love!
Thank you for having me! Deh’ya to the world.