Know Your DJ - Mustafa Ismaeel

Interview

1. How did you get started in DJing, and what was your early journey like?

I actually started back in university. I’d been into music my whole life, used to sing, played some guitar, and threw hip-hop events in high school. When I moved to Canada for school, the music scene felt off, a lot of random Top 40, so I bought a little Traktor mixer and started playing reggae and dub. After a breakup, I went all in on music, and a few months later, I got booked at “Club 77" which was the biggest club in Hamilton, where my university was. That was the real beginning.

2. Growing up across Iraq, India, and Canada, how did these cultures shape your musical identity?

I was born in Baghdad, Iraq, and at the age of 10, my parents moved to India, so I grew up there, went to an international school, and was surrounded by all kinds of cultures. My music journey started with singing in school, then I got into acoustic guitar and soft rock, and then, in my teenage years, I got into hip-hop and conscious reggae. I had been to a Psy-Trance rave in Goa when I was 16 years old, but it wasn’t really my thing. When I moved to Canada, I fell in love with electronic music through festivals like WEMF and nightclubs like the legendary Guvernment; it blew my mind. Over the years, I’ve touched so many styles and types of music, from Arabic and reggae to hip-hop, soft rock, and now jazz, which all feed into the music I make today.

3. Who are some of your biggest influences, and how have they inspired your sound?Prince, for sure, he’s the ultimate artist. He inspired me to learn every part of my craft, from playing instruments to mixing and mastering. Then guys like Markus Schulz, John Digweed, DJ Tennis, Damian Lazarus, Jamie Jones, and Kerri Chandler, all for different reasons, from their energy to their ability to tell a story through music.

4. How do you approach building a DJ set that connects emotionally with the audience?

For me, it’s all about feeling the room. I consider myself to be emotionally in tune, and because I’ve played so many sets, reading the room just became second nature. I don’t over-plan. I show up with playlists of new/old tracks that I think might fit, and then just go with the flow and adjust based on energy. It’s instinctive and emotional. I know when something’s off, when it’s working, and I love that challenge. It’s like we’re all sharing the same wave.

5. Who are some of your favorite DJs or producers?

Too many and it keeps evolving, really, but in terms of my style and sound, I say Franky Rizardo, Nick Curly, Serge Devant, and my label partner Dilby.

6. If you could only play one track for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?“Lost in a Moment” by Matthew Dekay. 

It’s timeless, emotional, and deep, with those Eastern scales that hit me right in the soul. It’s a bit slower in energy, but I’ve made a secret edit that I can use in my sets if the vibe permits.

7. What’s the most bizarre or challenging situation you’ve encountered while DJing, and how did you handle it?

One early gig in Toronto had two different CDJ models, and one was barely working. I was a bit wavy from hanging out all day, but I locked in and somehow nailed the whole set with zero mistakes. It was super stressful but also super rewarding. I’ll never forget that one.

8. Can you share a favorite gig or performance memory that really stands out to you?

Too many to be honest, but a few come to mind, playing the main stage at Chill Opposite Festival in Egypt. The energy was unreal, and people still message me about it to this day. (Might have the video recording from that soon). Vagalume Tulum, a few years back, I had one of the best extended sets that kept evolving, and the dancefloor kept going at full capacity until the last track. The energy was next level. And closing the Pavilion stage at Electric Island in Toronto, surrounded by my friends and the most energetic crowd, the set is on Soundcloud.

9. How do you discover new music, and which platforms or methods do you rely on most? Spotify is great, I discover tracks while working out. I also dig through Beatport charts, Bandcamp, and SoundCloud, and share music with my close circle. Half the time I end up stealing their best tunes at after-parties, hahaha.

10. Deep House Toronto has become an important platform for the electronic scene. What inspired you to start it, and how has it evolved?

I started it around 2016 with my old partner Zain as a SoundCloud-based community and music/event promotion hub. It grew fast. Now I mainly oversee the operation and have a solid team with Thomas Hernan leading it; he’s super talented, and I’m proud to mentor him.

11. Narratives is built around a unique storytelling concept and has just released some fresh tracks. What inspired the creation of the label, and what vision do you hope it carries forward?

Narratives began with my friend Alaa in Riyadh. He booked me for the first event, and it just clicked. Later, I brought in Daniyal from Toronto and Dilby from Berlin, and we turned it into a label and art community. It’s family now, our “crème de la crème.” The narrative keeps evolving.

12. What role does supporting emerging and underrepresented artists play in your vision?

It means a lot to me; it’s what keeps me going when I'm at my lowest points. I love giving chances to talented, hardworking artists who deserve more visibility, just like how other artists like Damian Lazarus did for me. It’s about sharing the love of the true craft and trying to set a good example.

13. How do you balance your personal artistic vision with the collective identity of your brands?

I don’t really separate them; it’s all an extension of me. The team collaborates, but it flows naturally.

14. Your YouTube channel shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of your journey. What inspired you to start it, and what do you hope viewers take away?

I started it to inspire and guide upcoming producers, to be a positive example in the scene. I haven’t had much time for it lately, but I’ve been sharing more through my new Instagram channel, Unite & Conquer, where I post music, thoughts, and community stuff. The goal is simple: to inspire and help others stay on the right path.

15. What’s been the most rewarding or surprising feedback you’ve received from your online audience?

Hearing from people who still message me about old tracks like Make It Hot (Remix) or Nothingness. Knowing my music still touches people years later means everything.

16. How do you balance creating music, DJing, and maintaining an online presence?

It’s a challenge for every artist. I used to see social media as a chore, but now I treat it as part of the creative flow. The more I enjoy it, the easier it gets. This is my full-time life, so I’ve learned to embrace every part of it.

17. What upcoming projects, collaborations, or releases are you most excited about?

I’ve got three EPs dropping in the next few months with some big labels, plus a few remixes I can’t talk about yet. Around 14 tracks are ready, 11 already signed. It’s time to unleash everything I’ve been building these last two years.

18. What’s your favorite travel destination you’ve visited, and where would you still love to go?

Medellín is paradise, with great people and nature. Miami and Ibiza always deliver, especially for DJs and the nightlife scene. And Egypt’s Sinai Desert feels like my second home.

19. Do you have a favorite venue, city, or festival that you’ve played at that holds a special memory?

Hï Ibiza, Get Lost Miami, Chill Opposite Festival, House of Yes in New York, and Do Not Sit in Miami all hold special memories.

20. What’s something interesting, unexpected, or fun happening in your life right now that your fans might not know about?

I’m a bit of a nerd and a mental/overall health freak. From a background in civil engineering & business management, to a huge interest in history, geography, and philosophy. I just launched Unite & Conquer with Mustafa Ismaeel on Instagram, where I share tracks, thoughts, and ideas. It gives me purpose and connects me with the community in a real way. Let’s unite and conquer together.