How local Miami DJs Are Building Stronger Creative Communities

Playlists bring people together, but live music builds a community. It has the power to command a room and elevate experiences without barriers or overthinking. DJ/Producer MUZA creates mixes, not just from Caribbean and Afro-beat inspirations, but from the palpable energy of her community. MUZA grew up constantly surrounded by music, taking steel drum lessons as a child and participating in youth orchestras. It wasn’t until university that she began mixing at the WVUM station as a University of Miami student. She fell in love with producing, and now DJs at different events and parties throughout Miami, even hosting some of her own.

We spoke with her to learn more about her path, her inspirations, and any advice she might have for beginner artists trying to build a foundation for their work.

✦ What about music production stood out to you as opposed to a different discipline?

A lot of the music I listened to—like Reggae or Calypso—was very focused on live instruments, something I didn’t have much free access to. The next best thing was to open GarageBand and make a beat. And I had enough music theory and knowledge to put together chords and figure out how to make music digitally.

Later on, I begged my parents for money to buy Logic Pro and a laptop, and I also saved up money for a mini keyboard. Then I just played around with them and picked up different genres I liked. If I couldn’t grasp a certain genre, I would watch YouTube videos of people producing those tracks, and eventually I’d evolve it into my own style. My grandfather was a musician, and he always played by ear, so my family always embodied making music our own.

✦ How would you describe your style to someone who’s never heard your music?

Definitely tropical. I’m always drawn to low, heavy baselines and jump patterns that you find across Caribbean music. I love all the different genres, reggae, Soca, Calypso—and I often listen to Bouyon, Afro-beats, and Afro-house. Those are definitely at the core of all my music.

✦ What is Mango Star?

I like to call it my culture. Whenever I do events, I do it under Mango Star. At its core, it’s the community I’m slowly but surely building with summer-y tropical beats. People of any age and walks of life are welcome, come catch a vibe—give a vibe—and enjoy yourself. I’m releasing mixes under Mango Star and expanding my events with that name.

Want to read more? Read the full interview in Issue 6 of Summur Magazine, releasing June 29th, where we ask her:

✦ Has growing up in Miami influenced your artistic identity?

✦ How has Miami’s music scene helped you grow?

✦ What advice would you give to someone starting out?

You can follow through @Muzasound on Instagram or listen to her mixes on YouTube under MUZA ♪.