10th letter: an afropunk dj mix

The first thing to know about the mix that our ATLien brother 10th Letter made for AFROPUNK is that it’s not the usual kind of party — just as the producer born Jeremi Johnson is not the traditional kind of party DJ. 10th Letter makes music that’s both heady and headnod-y — futuristic, thoughtful and improvisational AF, but also tight and banging. We’re guessing that if you approach him as Atlanta’s answer to Flying Lotus, he isn’t going to quibble.

10th Letter has been an ATL staple for a minute now — Creative Loafing called him the city’s best local electronic act a few years back — and he’s been one at AFROPUNK’s Carnival of Consciousness as well, where he’s playing for the third year running And we couldn’t be prouder. To mark that occasion, he made us this mix — all originals and a couple of 10th Letter remixes — and answered some questions that introduce him to our community. Once you learn the 10th Letter, chances are good you’re gonna use it, and then your party might get nicely unusual too.

Can you identify some of the music on the mix? What does the music mean/represent for you?

This music is all from my discography, minus a few unreleased tracks, and two remixes towards the end.

How did you first get into DJ’ing, and who are some of your DJing influences?

Funny thing is … I never really wanted to be a DJ. The idea that I can produce music and play it out in this fashion was just too appealing. I’m like a hybrid of a DJ and an electronic performer. It’s all my music. If I want a certain vibe in a set, I challenge myself to create it. As far as this style goes, I look up to people like Madlib, DJ Shadow, Prefuse 73, Dilla, Nujabes, Aphex Twin, Jeff Mills, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Mark Pritchard … the list goes on.

What kind of music do you want to or expect to play at AFROPUNK?

I’m playing it all: Hip-hop, house, drum’n’bass, techno, jazz, bass … but in a way that’s cohesive and makes sense to the audience.

What are you most looking forward to at AFROPUNK’s Carnival of Consciousness in ATL? Have you been before?

I have definitely been before. I’m most looking forward to experiencing the people. It’s always such a beautiful crowd.

What does the phrase “We See You” mean to you?

To me it means we see exactly who you are without the prejudgement that society puts on you. We see the actual you. That person you are on the inside that you show but is not always understood.

Go see 10th Letter at AFROPUNK’s Carnival of Consciousness in Atlanta On Sunday, October 13th.