Hello : Yazmin C

Destination Manchester for a multi-genre tear-up!

Next up in our MIXMAS celebrations is Yazmin C!

An exceptional new-generation DJ who didn’t even know ‘become a DJ’ was on her life bingo card until the lockdowns kicked in almost five years ago, she’s taken her craft to remarkable places ranging all the way from Warehouse Project to year six proms!

And now comes the all-important production step-up. Studying the sonic science and honing her skills for the past three years, Yazmin – running point with long-time raving bestie and kindred musical spirit Tom Teez – has just started dropping her first ever productions. It kicked off with Midnight Killa

 

Currently sitting on a range of genres and styles, Yazmin promises regular free download drops as she establishes herself on the release side of the game. If the way she’s blazed up the DJ ranks is anything to go by, it won’t be long until our Rekordbox playlists are full of her beats. In the meantime, here’s her mix for MIXMAS. It ranges from funky to dnb via a juicy bit of UKG in fine and firing style. We wouldn’t expect anything less from this badass Blendy Wendy!

 

 

How have you been?

I’m good thanks. It’s been a hard few weeks, Rest In Peace Noxxic, but in general things have been alright. I’ve been busy DJing and I’ve started releasing tunes now. Finally!

Yeah I saw! I was just listening to Minight Killa

That’s my first one! Me and Tom have been making it for months and months and months. I’ve been working on loads things. I’ve got a bunch lined up to release as free downloads every month for a bit. Get my name out there with the production and seeing what I can do.

Sitting on a stash!

A bit yeah. I’ve been dibbling and dabbling and released a silly bootleg last year but this is the first proper one. We’ve got loads more.

Sick! What are mad journey you’ve had… You’re a graduate of the lockdown era and came up totally in the public eye. That must feel like a lifetime away now?

I know! I can’t imagine my life not being a DJ. I’ll always be mixing tunes.

Blendy Wendy for life!

Haha. Gotta big up Kaz. She’s always using that term. She’s the original Blendy Wendy!

Hahah. Big up Kaz. How was that transition from streaming to clubs?

Just getting used to the set-up was quite mad. I learnt on some ropey old 900s but 2000s and 3000s are very different in the club. So that took a bit of time.

But to be honest the streams were getting such big views that the nerves were kind of the same going from streaming to the actual crowds. And in the clubs, the crowds started small for a while so that made it easier.

Then they got quite big, right?

Yeah really big. All of a sudden it’s Warehouse Project! It was absolutely crazy. The bookings did come in really quickly and I’m so grateful to anyone who’s booked me. All the places I’ve got to visit so far. It’s my second main job and it’s interesting the places it’s taken me… I’ve started doing private events, corporate things, weddings and stuff now too which is a whole other world to D&B!

Oh wow. Complete freestyle commercial, playing all genres style DJ?

Yeah chart, house, a bit of 80s or 90s or whatever. I can’t say I enjoy playing it as much as I love playing drum & bass but you can have a lot of fun with the crowd.

Props! That takes a skill. To be able to adapt to any audience and be able to go, ‘Oh you guys need this!’ That’s proper working DJ vibes. I was unaware you did those type of gigs.

They’re just picking up now to be honest. I always put on my socials, ‘Hit me up if you want to book me for your 21st birthday or something.’ And now they do!

Haha. Sick. Tell us about a mad gig you’ve done.

A year six prom. It was so busy and all the parents were there. And there was one tune I didn’t get the radio edit of.

Oh shit did you get into trouble?

No not really. I apologised to the parents but the kids knew it already and were singing along. I was shocked!

Haha. What has a DJ got to do to keep you locked?

It’s got be a bit of dancefloor hasn’t it? Drop a bit of Sub Focus and it’s like wildfire. Everyone just flocks to the dancefloor. So for me it’s that one big tune that gets people into it. Then can you take people on a bit of a journey.

The journey! Chef’s kiss!

A journey’s really important isn’t it? Not just chop chop chop. I mean I do love my chopping, but you gotta think about the people you’re playing to and where they want to go, don’t you?

Definitely! Was DJing even on the radar before lockdown?

Definitely not. And even since lockdown! I just thought it was gonna be just a bit of a phase. A little streaming thing and then back to normal life.

Haha. Never! What have you learnt about yourself during this journey so far?

DJing has taught me that I am more confident than I thought I would be. Or maybe could be. I used to be so shy and introverted. I’ve learnt an attitude and I don’t let how I feel affect the music. Just have fun with it and don’t hold back.

Yes! Especially with the fun vibes. Seeing a DJ who is enjoying themselves is so endearing.

Yeah you know that! I get a totally different energy off a DJ who’s dancing instead of just standing there. DJs being silly and getting into it are far more interesting to me. I’m not sure if that’s something I’ve learnt about me or not but that’s definitely something that’s changed in me.

It’s empowered you! You can block out how you’re feeling, or if you’re having a shit day and don’t feel like it, it doesn’t matter. You’ve taught yourself to totally let the music shine

Oh if I’m having a shit day and I get on the decks then I’ve forgotten about the shit stuff straight away. Especially if I’m playing something like funk. It proper cheers me up. That feeling you find in a blend.

It’s therapy isn’t it?

Yep!

So what’s coming up release wise?

Me and my best mate Tom Teez have got a quite a few tracks ready.

Tell us about Tom for a second!

Oh he literally taught me everything – how to produce, how to DJ, everything and he’s still teaching me now. I wouldn’t be talking to you now if it wasn’t for him guiding and inspiring me.

Sick. Big up Tom!

Big up Tom! Anyway we made this tune a while ago called No Street Light and it’s a jungly breaks/4×4 tune. We made it a year ago and gone back to it. I’ve come a long way since then so we’ve gone back in on it and we hope to release that late December. It’s funny – the song is about a free party we went to, it was really dark and we both looked at each other and went ‘no street lights’ at the same time and pissed ourselves laughing. That was about nine years ago now. When we heard the vocal sample saying that we thought ‘we definitely need that!’

Haha. It was meant to be. I’ve caught you at the perfect time haven’t I?

Yeah you have to be fair! And just to say again that Tom is a really sick producer and an amazing friend. He makes garage usually but I’ve lured him into other styles. He really is an amazing guy and he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.

I’m gonna have him over for a mix!  You need mates like that don’t you?

Oh definitely and he’s been raving with me since day one.

You started in free parties, right?

Yeah since I was 14 haha. I was that weird kid who was always listening to D&B and back then you got bullied for listening to it in school because it wasn’t anywhere near as popular. I was obsessed with it. The minute I could go raving, I was there. I kinda miss that magic now. It’s so ingrained in my life as a DJ and now with productions and everything, it doesn’t gas me up as much as it did then.

Your relationship with it changes over time doesn’t it?

Yeah it does.

And if you didn’t have that magic in the first place you wouldn’t be here!

True!

What else does the world need to know about Yazmin C?

Erm…. Just book me and find out! I love travelling to new cities and towns and places and playing in new clubs and venues and parties. I’m looking forward to a busy 2025!

Support Yazmin C – Soundcloud > Instagram > Linktree

 

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