Question Time With Aaliyah

1) What inspired you to get involved with DJing?

Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My dad introduced me to DnB, Jungle and Garage from a very young age, and those genres quickly became more than just music to me. They shaped my tastes, my identity and the way I connect with people.

What inspired me to become a DJ was the impact music had on my own life. It has helped me through difficult periods, lifted my mood and given me a sense of belonging. I wanted the opportunity to share that feeling with others, whether that's by introducing someone to a new track, bringing back memories with an old-school classic, (particularly in Jump-up & Neurofunk) or simply creating an atmosphere where people can enjoy themselves and forget their worries for a while. Knowing that music can positively affect even one person's day is what makes DJing so special to me.

2) What artists do you look up to for influence and inspiration?

I take inspiration from quite a few artists across both Jump-Up and Neurofunk, although I generally like to keep those two styles separate when I'm mixing, as they each have their own energy and atmosphere.

On the Jump-Up side, artists like Hazard, Heist, Logan D, Sensai and Dominator have had a big influence on me. I grew up listening to that style of DnB, and I love the energy, crowd interaction that those artists bring. A lot of my Jump-Up mixes are inspired by that old-school sound and the way they can instantly get a crowd moving.

For Neurofunk, Pythius, Ed Rush & Optical, and Prolix are some of my biggest inspirations. I really appreciate the darker, more technical side of Dnb, and those artists have helped shape my understanding of sound design, atmosphere and how to build intensity throughout a set.

A.M.C is probably the exception, as he's someone who blends different styles incredibly well. Watching him perform has inspired me to be more creative with my track selection and mixing, while still respecting the identity of each genre. What I admire most about all these artists is that they've each developed their own distinctive sound. That's something I aim to do myself, whether I'm playing a Jump-Up or a Neurofunk set.

3) What artists from the underground DnB scene have caught your eye?

Aish is another artist who's been making waves with her sets recently and helping push the Jump-Up sound forward. It's also great to see more women getting the recognition they deserve within Drum & Bass.

Wsty, Wheela and Interakt from High Integrity are names to watch in the Jump-Up scene. I really like how they blend old-school and new-school sounds together, and their chemistry behind the decks is something that stands out. Their mixing is always clean, and they bring a lot of energy to their sets.

On the Neurofunk side, XAETIS has really caught my eye. His tunes are dark, technical and full of atmosphere, which is exactly what I look for in Neurofunk.

4) If you could collab with any musician of any genre, who would you choose and why?

Songer would be my first choice, without a doubt. I've been listening to him since the Dreamworkz album, and what I admire most is his versatility.

A lot of his music is honest, relatable and focuses on real-life experiences, which is something that has resonated with me over the years.

Being able to collaborate with someone who has had that kind of impact on me personally, while also being so creative and versatile musically, would be an incredible experience.

5) What are your top 5 non DnB tunes?

1. Songer – Golden (Soul Food)
2. Metallica – One
3. Songer – Carefree
4. Santana ft. Chad Kroeger – Into the Night
5. The Streets – Has It Come to This?

6) If music was not your passion, what do you think you would be pursuing instead?

That's a tough one because music has always been such a big part of my life and who I am as a person. But if I had to choose something completely different, I'd probably want to work with animals.

I've always loved animals and think I'd find a lot of fulfilment in a job where I could work with them, care for them, or help improve their wellbeing. It's very different from music, but I'd still want to do something I'm genuinely passionate about and that makes a positive difference.