Acclaimed Montreal Afro House Artist DJ Karaba Receives First JUNO Award Nomination
Esteemed Afro house artist DJ Karaba has recently been nominated for her very first JUNO Award Underground Dance Single of the Year for her fiery song “Mad Mess”.
Produced by DJ Karaba herself, “Mad Mess” is an upbeat and energetic pulsating anthem designed for the club scene. Inspired by Karaba’s dance background and passion for Afro-house and tech music, the track delves into the release of inner anger while focusing on deep energy and hints of darkness. Crafted during a moment of intense anger, “Mad Mess” channels a unique emotional intensity rarely explored by Karaba.
“I am so proud to be representing black women within Canada’s electronic music scene.” said DJ Karaba.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Sure! I’m Dj Karaba and I’m from Montreal. I was born in France and my family immigrated to Canada when I was 7 years old. I’m a DJ and producer, experimenting in a variety of genres but particularly drawn to Afro House. This vibrant subgenre, which flourished in South Africa, holds a special place in my heart, and I enjoy adding my own unique touch in my productions. Prior to my journey as a DJ/Producer, I was a professional dancer in the commercial world doing world tours, music videos, and award shows. Music and dance fuel my soul and remain at the core of my passions!
Congratulations on your JUNO nomination for Underground Dance Single of the Year! How does it feel to be recognized for your work with such a prestigious nomination?
It’s truly an incredible feeling! I’m very grateful for this nomination, especially considering that I’m still in the early stages of my career as a producer. Also, I take great pride in representing black women within the electronic music scene; it’s a responsibility that is very important to me.
“Mad Mess” is a fiery and energetic track that has captured the attention of many. Can you share with us the inspiration behind this song and what led you to create it?
It’s actually quite funny whenever I recall the process behind creating “Mad Mess.” I remember that day I was feeling incredibly frustrated about a certain situation. At that moment, I thought to myself, “Why not channel this frustration into music?” Surprisingly, it didn’t take me long to create the song, and I quickly shared it with my mentor, Stephen Ramsay from Young Galaxy. His reaction was priceless; he told me, “This is a fantastic song! How did you come up with it?” To which I replied, “Well, I was simply mad!” He then jokingly answered, “Well, you should get mad more often because this is an absolute banger!”
You’ve built an impressive social media following and have become a sought-after brand ambassador. How do you balance the demands of being an artist with these additional responsibilities?
Finding balance is an ongoing task for me, as it can sometimes feel overwhelming. I tend to become anxious when I have a lot on my plate, so I’ve had to learn the importance of slowing down and taking things one day at a time. I make a conscious effort to schedule my time effectively and ensure that I allocate time for all my tasks and responsibilities. It’s not perfect but it’s definitely getting better as time goes on. And in the end, my main focus is always my art.
Your live shows are known for their explosive energy. How do you prepare for your performances, and what do you hope your audience takes away from them?
There’s not much preparation for it, it’s just natural. As a dancer, it’s just something that comes naturally to me. Being a professional dancer, I thrived on the experience of performing onstage in front of audiences. That same rush accompanies me every time I step behind the DJ booth to play for a crowd. My ultimate goal is to evoke in my audience the same euphoria and satisfaction that I feel during and after the performance. To me, the essence of my art lies in uplifting others and making them feel good about themselves through my music.
Lastly, what’s next for DJ Karaba? Any upcoming projects or collaborations that your fans can look forward to?
There is definitely more music coming on the way! Also, I know my YouTube community loves my DJ session that I do every so often so I’m definitely going to do more of those. And then lots of shows for the summer, all around the world!
Connect with DJ Karaba:
Website
Facebook
Twitter/ X
Instagram
TikTok