The Mixtape Vol. 122

Ella G is a Joburg-based DJ and producer who started Djing in 2014, taking her time to learn the craft of mixing and allowing her passion and need to constantly learn lead her. 

Playing Grietfest just six months after she first started DJing proved how her sound had potential, which was solidified last year when Ella G played Oppi Koppi’s 1am Saturday slot that had everybody raving on the hilltop.

Now Ella G is investing herself in production and you can hear one of her tracks in today’s mix and find out more about the DJ-slash-producer after the jump.

What did you grow up listening to and what are you into nowadays?

This question is the worst because there is so much! Notorious B.I.G, Sade, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan. I am obsessed with Bjork. My parents work in music so it changed all the time. I have a particular soft spot from 90’s early naughties girl bands (spice girls for example)! I’m really into Goldlink at the moment, and revisiting Kate Bush, locally I love Kwesta, Moonchild and Urban Village.

What's your favourite music festival and why?

Mieliepop, It is small, extremely well curated, aesthetically pleasing and just good vibes!

Who are your favourite artists to collaborate with?

Mr Green who is also my boyfriend, and definitely my MC who I work really close with. SF Tai - she is a talented queen. The world needs to catch up to her!

Tell us about this mix you've made for us.

I have made drum and bass and hip hop mixes seperately but have never made a mix which infuses both these sides of me, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to do that. It starts off slow and easy and pics up into a more groovey liquid drum and bass vibe. It also features one of my own original drum and bass tracks.

Describe your experience of being a female DJ in SA.

Besides being booked on all female line ups over and over by men who wants to capitalise off that as a marketing tool and the odd creep trying to be clever; I haven’t had any particularly noteworthy experiences and I like that because it means we’re getting somewhere. I do want to see more female promotors as this will do a lot to change the music scene, and I really dislike looking at big parties with huge line ups and only see male musicians on the line-ups, but I do thnk this is changing especially with all the femme power parties popping up around the country.

Does style play a part in what you do and if yes what goes into your outfits?

100% yes! I do styling so it can’t not, having a visual brand is so important to me.Usually when djing my main aim is to be comfortable but still look on point. I change my hair often too which is one of my defining features especially as a drum and bass DJ.