profile

Thoughts with Mild Sauce

by DJ Diaspora

Subscribe to my newsletter for my musings on Black Diasporic linkages in sounds & cultures.

Featured Post

The Future of Afrobeats.. is Now?

Remember when I predicted more Afrobeats artists would collaborate with African American ones this year? Well, it's already happening. And quite swiftly at that. This is bittersweet for me. A bit hot and cold, if you will. Hot: Black unity! Y'all know I am here for people of the African Diaspora collaborating and creating entirely new sounds. Something special always happens when elements of our music blend. It's the main way we begin to rebuild the bridges that have disconnected us (*cough*...

28 days ago • 3 min read

For some of us December isn't *really* the end of the year, and for others it's the perfect time to start thinking about and planning for what's to come. Regardless, I do think this season has a way of forcing us all to reflect. The tried + true Taurus in me hates change—which is why it makes sense that I'm scratching my head at the idea of what Afrobeats could sound like in 2024. As a deep lover of the genre, I'm often screaming "bring back 2016 Afrobeats!' It's why I love Davido's "E PAIN...

about 2 months ago • 2 min read

click to watch In 2018 I joined Party Noire, an events collective centering Black women, femmes, and queer folks in Chicago, after returning home from university. I'll sum up my college sob story by saying college was very lonely and boring for me. I was so excited to return to the city as an adult me; a me more confident and sure of myself than I was when I was growing up here. Since working with the collective, I've learned some important lessons, gained opportunities, and most importantly,...

7 months ago • 1 min read

When I first began deejaying, I was far too concerned with securing gigs. Naturally, I wanted to finally start sharing the music I was mixing in my bedroom in public. Thanks to a collective I work with called Party Noire I as able to begin deejaying at events and quickly learned the importance of balancing the music that speaks to my soul with the music the masses want to hear. DJ Lesson #1: Read the crowd. There is no crowd when you're deejaying alone, and if you're mixing with a friend,...

7 months ago • 4 min read
dj diaspora for passport vibes flyer

Find me 🎛 One of my favorite festivals in Chicago is BYCK! Passport Vibes: Afrobeat Street Festival is happening this Saturday—and it's FREE.99! I'm on at 3 pm at the indoor stage! Chill with me as you cool off from the Chicago heat, and stay for Major League DJz who are closing out the festival! ICYMI We had another ICONIC night on July 4 for Party Noire's Black Pride. Press play. I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. Was this sent to you by a friend? Make sure to subscribe and read past...

9 months ago • 1 min read
dj diaspora on uncle waffles Chicago flyer

Find me 🎛 Calling all 'Piano People! It's a busy weekend for Chicago (Happy Juneteenth weekend!), but The Promontory is thee place to be tonight! Amongst all the happenings, our favorite uncle, Uncle Waffles, will be spinning and I'm very excited to be opening up for her. I'm on from 10 pm to 11:30 pm, then I'll be closing out the night at 2 am. Let's dance! ICYMI I have a backlog of sets for you all to listen to on Soundcloud. From Party Noire's Deep Rooted to Citrus FM. Press play. I hope...

9 months ago • 1 min read

If you know me, you know reality TV is my bread and butter. Sure, sometimes it's a likkle fake. Yes, most times it's a bit overdramatic. But when life was at a standstill (*cough cough* COVID-19 pandemic), who had my back? Bravo, VH1, and WeTV. One of my favorite reality shows, Young, Famous, & African returned to Netflix last month, and while this season gravely disappointed me, one cast member's music has stolen my attention. Introducing herself as "... the biggest female dancehall musician...

10 months ago • 2 min read

My birthday is Friday (shoutout to the Tauruses out there!) and I just want to start this email saying thank you for your support! I plan on getting all sappy in next week's newsletter but your support in my deejaying career means the absolute world to me. Thank you. Thank you. THANK YOU! Find Me🎛 Happy (almost) 420! I'll be starting the day for 420 Fest in Pilsen tomorrow until 12 pm. This donation-based event is a fundraiser for Illinois Cannabis Dispensary Applicants. Slide by if you can!...

11 months ago • 1 min read

Find me 🎛 What's up y'all? I hope Aries season (or maybe 2023 in general?) is not whopping y'alls asses like it's whooping mine. Please send some prayers for ya girl. Though amongst the BS, I am looking forward to deejaying The 'Piano Party this Saturday. I'm on at 11 pm. I hope you can come have a good time! ICYMI Check out the sounds from my set at GYRATE. Press play. I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. Was this sent to you by a friend? Make sure to subscribe and read past newsletters....

12 months ago • 1 min read

Find me 🎛 I'm very hype to join BLAQ PAGES at Afrobeats To The World this Saturday for their Chicago show! I'm on from 10 pm to 11 pm. See you there! ICYMI Check out the sounds from my set at GYRATE. Press play. I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. Was this sent to you by a friend? Make sure to subscribe and read past newsletters. SUBSCRIBE

12 months ago • 1 min read
Share this page