DJ Raphaella Brown | Pride Essentials| Interview
We had the honor to interview DJ extraordinaire Raphaella Brown and talk about her music, her career, and her evolution throughout the years.
This interview is part of our exclusive PRIDE coverage for Pride Month. ?
Who is Raphaella Brown?
An ambitious DJ from Amsterdam (since 2000) with lots of passion for her work.
How has your music evolved over the years? How do you keep your sound intact?
I am always looking and listening to the audience, of course, I have my own style, but I started with vinyl back in the days from (Disco) Classics to Hip Hop to House and of course the needed Chart Music (remixes). And now it’s a mix of those styles, also depending on where I spin. Hotel-parties are of course completely different from a Sexy Club Night.
To keep my sound intact, I make sure I release several mixes of different styles, like my 90% RNB mixes and ‘Just A Funky Beat’ - house mixes or even my Disco, and Hotel Lounge mixes. Every weekend I keep up with the developments in the music industry and make sure I have the nicest songs and best qualities or remixes of them.
Thanks again for collaborating with us! What does your Stingray music channel aim to say? What do you want your listeners to feel?
I mostly want the listeners to enjoy the recognizable songs! Maybe a little feeling of nostalgia and fun. Music always brings back memories, and hopefully good ones ?
What PRIDE memory from your life stands out to you stronger than any other?
Mostly playing music in Amsterdam before thousands of passengers en listeners. Always a pleasure to see everyone enjoy and be completely themselves, loving each other and being free to do so. This includes the wonderful and breathtaking outfits. How can you not love pride? Every pride is a gift to humanity. Live & Let Live…..Love & Let Love.
© Raphaella Brown. All rights reserved.
In your opinion, what role does a DJ/Artist have in society?
Like Madonna once said: ‘Music Makes The People Come Together’. Forget everything else, live in the moment, respect each other and enjoy the good vibes that I am sending out and enjoy it. That is my role as a DJ.
Is there any particular song or musical passage that never fails to move you emotionally?
Excuse me for naming more than one, since it depends on my mood:
- Misty - Donny Hathaway
- Little Ghetto Boy - Donnie and/or Lalah Hathaway
- Randy Crawford & Joe Sample - Rio de Janeiro Blue
- Prince & Rosie Gaines - Nothing Compares 2 U
- Bush - Letting The Cables Sleep (the N O W remix)
- Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran
What have you done in your career that you’re most proud of?
All of it, every single weekend, making people happy and the trust that I get from those who contract me. But if I have to choose: my (or any actually) club nights in Club Nyx (called BxBy GxT BxCK) are really awesome and of course… Milkshake Festival (thanks to Janey ? !)
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Everything happens for a reason, embrace it and move on.
Describe your perfect day.
To have my outfit(s) ready, my make-up, hair and music spot on, (re-) organizing my studio/music, to then give an awesome party at the local club and after that maybe even a relaxed after at my place with nice friends. And to top it off… watch a cool Netflix series in bed before I fall asleep.
Name three artists you’d like to be compared to.
It is hard to answer that question since I do not share the feeling to be compared to anyone. I would love people to get to know me as Raphaella Brown. But I do love Maya Jane Coles’ soulful house music and how she spins. Same goes for the twin-duo Nervo and their energetic sets. And last but not least… I really really love what Dimitri From Paris does with his funky grooviness.
Tune in on Stingray Music and dance all night to Raphaella Brown's channel!
Pride Essentials: '90s-Today by Raphaella Brown
Twitter: @DJMissBrown Instagram: @djraphaellabrown Facebook: /DjRaphaellaBrown
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