Available July 9, Sunshine is DJ Hamida's new album. Known for ambiancing us every summer with his Mix Parties, the artist has concocted a project always so sunny. On this occasion, Justfocus was able to meet him.
Why did you call your album 'Sunshine'?
I was sitting in the studio and I saw a music video with Fat Joe and DJ Khaled called Sunshine. I wanted to give this name to my project. The title of the album announces a festive atmosphere, with a cover that recalls the departure on vacation.
On your new project you collaborated with Elams and Cheb Bello. It's not the first time you've worked with them. Why did you call on them again?
Cheb Bello is someone I like and I really like his work. I wanted him to be with me on this project. He is a very popular artist in Algeria. When I went to shoot a clip with him in Oran, it looked like a football player! He stopped all the time to take pictures with his fans! I also really like Elams' work. It's super simple, a bit of a damn like me.
You also want to highlight new artists. In your new album we find Kanoé on the title Kesta. How did this collab go?
I was on Instagram doing a live prod. Kanoé logs in and says 'I like this production too much I really want to put on it!' So we connected and went into the studio. Frankly I had a good time, I had a good laugh with him! He is young and talented!
Among the many collabs present, is there an artist who surprised you the most?
Isk! He's 18 years old, he arrived with his little haircut, he told me ' I'm passing my baccalaureate' (laughs). I asked him to do two verses and he did them directly!
The sound that marked me the most in your project is Lo Que Paso. How did you work on it?
Maturo tells me he has a song he doesn't like and sends me the lyrics. At that time I was sitting with Youbig and we had a small PC with us. We decided to do a prod and we sent it to Maturo. When he listened he said 'I hated that sound and now I love it!'
In Sunshine there is a cover of the title that had buzzed on Twitter, Go There by MSTR. You remixed it and it gave La drull. Why this choice?
Originally I was supposed to do a song with MSTR but we didn't have time. So I asked him for his session of Va Là-Bas to make it a delusion. I think people will like it. I purposely did something they won't expect!
Is there a Sunshine sound that's going to be clipped?
The Loco sound. I think this song is summer, Latin and I love it. That's why I chose it!
You say you're classified as the "DJ rebeu". How did you find your musical identity?
I listen to a lot of Hip-hop, RnB but the market was full there were too many DJs. I decided to stand out by using my culture. From there, it. I was the only Moroccan DJ who really represented the country and its culture through music. I have been the pride of the country and I am happy about it!
You've been active since the early 2000s. Do you still have apprehension when you release a new project?
It's the first time I've had the pressure. Sunshine is a new format that I propose. Before in my mixtapes the songs were chained with transitions. In Sunshine I try radio edits for the first time in my life.
Have you had the opportunity to mix since the easing of restrictions?
I mixed last weekend in Grenoble and Montélimar. It was beautiful. There were people, it went really well! People want to enjoy it now!
