WRE7: Q&A with DZA

Photography by WorldRedEye on May 3rd, 2017 in Editorials, Lifestyle, Nightlife

DZA at Beachkred at Rec Room on May 30, 2013

Miami Beach, FL – May 2, 2017 – With the highly anticipated celebration of World Red Eye’s 7 year anniversary in the Miami Design District, we have taken some time to get to know local DJ DZA further, who will be on the decks during the party. DZA has been a Miami staple for quite some time now, spinning at some of the towns hottest clubs and parties, and even his very own party Peachfuzz. World Red Eye caught with DZA who gave us a closer look into what makes him one of the most sought after DJ’s in town and about some of his favorite World Red Eye moments.

DZA at Beachkred at Rec Room on August 8, 2013

WRE: How did you begin your career as a DJ?

DZA: I started out by DJing at Chocolate Sundays at Purdy Lounge every Sunday from 10-11 for free. I was around 18 or 19, and I think Joel Meinholz let me do it cause he felt bad for me. I think they wanted to fire me after the second time (imagine having to fire a free hire), but they all eventually got a liking to me and eventually I got better. I would open for Mr Mauricio every once in a while and then I started my own party “Peachfuzz” with Raul Sanchez and Pres Rodriguez and stuff started coming to me.

WRE: What was your motive in leaving Paris and becoming a Miami resident?

DZA: I left France when I was 18 because I missed Miami too much. Up until then I had pretty much lived half my life in paris half my life in Miami with two year intervals in each place. It’s crazy to say I like Miami over paris but there’s something hypnotizing about this place. I moved to little havana when I was 6 and those memories have stuck with me forever.

DZA at Back to Twerk Mondays at SL on February 10, 2014

DJ Affect, Tony G & DZA at Dirty Hairy at LIV on April 9, 2014

WRE: What type of musical styles do you bring to the table?

DZA: I don’t really know what style to consider myself, maybe just well rounded? Rap is what has gotten me the most looks I think but I love playing disco and house parties, as well as doing the weird mixes I do for Mad Decent, Diplo and friends on BBC radio. I think I bring variety to the parties, which is not a shot or negative at any club standard, I just think there’s a time and place for everything and sometimes there’s a time for me. Obviously, I think when it’s time for me its the most fun.

WRE: Can you tell us more about the evolution of Peachfuzz and why you came up with the concept?

DZA: Peachfuzz was started after the closing of Black Bar, a spot my partners Raul Sanchez and Pres Rodriguez were involved with the formerly known as the Ohwow Gallery (now known as Moran Bondaroff Gallery). The bar closed and Pres, Raul and I were trying to figure out what we could bring to the table as far as Miami nightlife. I’d been hawking the green room at Grand Central for months before Jake Jefferson and Aramis Lorie finally let me throw a party up there. The party popped off and was really fun, and eventually the space became known as The Garrett. Originally the party was meant to be a one off, but it became a weekly that lasted four years at Grand Central before it’s closing. Now, the party is bit of a moving party that is currently being held at Basement Miami at the Miami Beach EDITION.

DZA at Benetton Beach Bash on April 17, 2014

Reid Waters & DZA at Favela Beach at WALL on September 2, 2014

WRE: Is there one song you always play in your sets that gets everyone going?

DZA: I’m sure there’s a lot of songs I always play, but I usually go through phases of being obsessed with songs until I burn them out of my life. Right now I’m really running Charly Black’s “Gyal You A Party Animal” and T-Pain and Young Joc’s “Buy You A Drank.” The second one seems to be hitting because everyone who was around 12-16 years old when that song came out is finally of age to be at the club and it’s nostalgic haha. Also, it rules.

WRE: What type of artists and music genres influence your career?

DZA: I don’t know if there are many specific artists that have influenced me as far as DJing goes. There are a lot of artists I admire and have influenced me outside of the club. People like Kelela and Solange Knowles have been impactful lately. As far as DJing goes, I think my biggest influences are Stretch Armstrong, Ross One, Roctakon, Mr Mauricio, Boys Noize, Walshy Fire, Eli Escobar, who are masters at work. I know the list is all over the place but I think there’s a lot of different things that make DJ’s good and watching each of these dudes in their element, fully controlling the room is impressive and impactful in a way thats changed me as a DJ. DJing is a lot of things and different in a lot of ways and all of these guys mentioned have impacted me one way or another.

DZA at Rico Love at FDR on September 29, 2014

DZA at Rec Room Thursdays on October 23, 2014

WRE: Is there anyone that you would love to work with but haven’t yet?

DZA: Thats a good question, I don’t know. I’ve been very lucky in my young age. I am 26 and have worked with some of my favorite DJ’s. I think anyone who can hold down a party is someone I’d like to work with.

WRE: What has been the craziest thing you’ve seen while working?

DZA: There was a guy who attempted to light himself on fire once, that was chill.

DZA, Walshy Fire & Reid Waters at Rec Room Thursdays on November 6, 2014

I think there’s a lot of different things that make DJ’s good and watching each of these dudes in their element, fully controlling the room is impressive and impactful in a way thats changed me as a DJ

DZA

Walshy Fire & DJ DZA at Sidebar Saturdays on February 21, 2015

DZA at Sidebar Saturdays on April 18, 2015

WRE: Do you have a favorite photo that World Red Eye has taken of you?

DZA: A photo of myself at Sidebar with all my friends

WRE: With World Red Eye capturing your best moments here in Miami, which one by far has been your most memorable?

DZA: World Red Eye has been around for our Peachfuzz comeback, at The Thompson (now The Confidante) and that was really important to us. We were all stressed, worried and concerned no one cared about the party anymore since we took a hiatus after the closing of Grand Central. It was cool and I think the coverage helped the party pop off even more time after time.