Pushing Culture | DJ Baagi

Oakland tropical. Captured from DJ Baagi’s Instagram account.

We all need love. Captured from DJ Baagi’s Instagram account.

What music inspires you the most?

As an immigrant, and a person who grew up in a multicultural setting, I love music across the genres from around the world. I am versatile, but I mostly enjoy dancehall, reggae, reggaeton, international house and hip hop, salsa, bhangra, cumbia - music that speak stories about history and contemporary culture. I enjoy collecting music that speaks of social/political issues from communities around the world. I’m a drummer and I love anything beat-oriented with complex beat patterns.

If you could have dinner with any musician dead or alive who would it be and why?

It is hard to choose one person to name but I’ll go with J Dilla. I’m a drummer, a beat addict. I would love to hear him talk and experience his inspirations and processes for making the kind of innovating soul-moving beats he did.

Why do you think music is important?

Music is hella powerful. It can tell stories of experiences, culture, oppression, victories, cultural pride and so much more, in a format unlike anything else. It’s a way of connecting with each other spiritually. It has the power to change hearts and minds through feeling. It is primal medicine. <3

What does music mean to you?

Music is my spirituality and the way that I learn about life, and connect with community. Music has always been part of my life since I was very little. My best friend, my ride or die, it is what I have relied on to see me through my hardest years and my good years.

DJ Baagi’s meditation. Captured from Instagram account.