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Haitian DJ/producer Michael Brun has broken down how he made his J Balvin-assisted single “Positivo” on a new episode of Genius’ Deconstructed. The track is the 2018 FIFA World Cup theme song for American Spanish-language TV network Telemundo.

In the video, Brun recalls how he and Balvin connected then breaks down the track in Ableton.

“The instruments, the rhythm, the energy. It’s all very distinctly Haitian,” Brun says. “This track captures, I think, the essence of what the streets in Haiti sound like.”

Released in May, “Positivo” has amassed over seven million streams on Spotify and more than 10 million views on YouTube. Brun originally released the song in February as a single titled “Bayo” featuring fellow Haitians Strong G, Baky, and J. Perry.

Watch Deconstructed above.

Related: Watch CBMIX Explain How He Produced Lil Pump’s ‘Esskeetit’

RL Grime at Spire in Houston. (Credit: Julian Bajsel)

DJcity’s Spotify playlist update for the week of June 19:

2 Chainz ft. Drake & Quavo – Bigger Than You
Baka Not Nice – Junior High
Chromeo ft. French Montana & Stefflon Don – Don’t Sleep
Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Wayne – Rich Sex
RL Grime ft. Jeremih & Tory Lanez – Undo
Rudimental & Major Lazer ft. Anne-Marie & Mr Eazi – Let Me Live
Tory Lanez & Ozuna – Pa Mi

Stream the entire playlist below or from within Spotify.

Related: DJcity’s Spotify Playlist Update: June 12

DJ Tessa performs at the LA Food Bowl. (Credit: Matthew Withers)

In an industry that is still predominantly run by men, Tessa Young a.k.a. DJ Tessa is pushing boundaries for female DJs. While DJing in Los Angeles in the early 2010s, the Reno, Nevada native noticed that booking agencies had few women on their rosters. With years of DJ experience, connections, and a paralegal background, Tessa launched Prism DJs, an all-female agency.

Launched in 2015, Prism books DJs for mostly mobile gigs such as corporate events, weddings, and other special and private events. The agency currently has 23 DJs on its roster, including Annalyze, ShanLynn, MissNINJA, and Frazier Davis. As the female DJ movement continues to rise, we caught up with Tessa to discuss Prism DJs, the challenges of running an all-female agency, what she looks for when signing new talent, and more.

Why do you think there is such a low number of women represented by DJ agencies?

I think there are just more male DJs than female DJs in general, so it was never going to be equal based on the ratio. But now, in a time when mixing and production lessons are more accessible, less intimidating, and our male counterparts are more supportive, I see more women genuinely interested in music production and DJing. In turn, more women will be added to these rosters eventually. We all need to make it a priority to level up creatively and skill-wise if we want to play on the same field.

How does Prism differ from other agencies?

Our DJs are talented, vetted, and have several years of experience. Also, I make it a priority to protect Prism’s DJs by being transparent, ensuring timely payments, handling riders, logistics, and securing, and enforcing contracts.

What are some of the unique skills required for being a mobile DJ versus a club or festival DJ?

Being a mobile DJ is definitely more labor intensive if you are setting up and breaking down your own gear. If there is a technical problem, you need to know how to fix it yourself. As a mobile DJ, especially for weddings and dance parties, the DJ needs to know how to read a crowd and select accordingly, be aware of energy levels, have knowledge of many genres, and span generations of music. Club and festival DJs might have the luxury of playing their own produced tracks or a curated set. Sometimes they get their own on-site audio technicians that standby to handle technical difficulties for them. They can have more freedom to play what they want or what they specialize in, rather than a mobile DJ that caters to the crowd.

Prism DJs at Serato’s studio in Los Angeles. (Source: Instagram)

What is the biggest challenge of running an all-female DJ agency?

The Los Angeles market is very competitive, whether you are male or female. There are so many amazing DJ options. In this social media-driven world we now live in, we need to market ourselves more sophisticatedly and creatively. Just being titled a “female DJ” or “female DJ agency” does not ensure work.

What do you look for when adding new talent to your roster?

I look for several things: above-average mixing skills, exceptional selection, vast knowledge of music genres, professionalism, and a positive attitude. I prefer that the DJs can jump on any gear with ease, including turntables, CDJs, controllers, and various mixers. DJs must also have more than two years of experience playing regularly in public. In the age of social media, it is also important for the DJ to have a good online image because clients are doing their own research to make sure that their DJ choice is a good brand match for their event.

What are your plans for the company and where do you see it going?

Prism DJs is still growing as an agency and brand, so I am continuing to work diligently on that. In the very near future, I would like Prism DJs to get more involved with the community and offer workshops to young, aspiring female DJs. Other than that, we’ll just see where this takes us!

Do you have any advice for someone who’s looking to start a DJ agency ?

If you have good eyes and ears for talent, along with marketing, management, and administrative skills, then you have all the necessary elements required for a successful agency. Go for it!

Follow DJ Tessa on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Follow Prism DJs on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Related: Las Vegas Talent Buyer Dave Fogg Gives Insight Into His Booking Process

DJ Diamond Kuts performs at Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Credit: Abri and Chakhie)

Diamond Kuts, a DJ/producer from Philadelphia, has put down a half-hour of hip-hop and Jersey club for the DJcity Podcast. Her set features one of her originals and three of her remixes.

Diamond has served as the official tour DJ for stars like Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, and Chris Brown. She co-wrote and produced Minaj’s 2011 single, “Stupid H#e.”

Tracklist:

1. Cardi B ft. Migos – Drip – DJ Taj vs DJ Diamond Kuts & DJ Panic Remix
2. Cardi B – Bodak Yello – DJ Diamond Kuts vs DJ Taj Remix
3. DJ Diamond Kuts – Clock Work
4. Mason Ramsey – Walmart Yodel – Jersey Club Remix
5. BlocBoy JB ft. Drake – Look Alive – DJ Diamond Kuts Remix
6. BlocBoy JB ft. Drake – Look Alive
7. BlocBoy JB – Shoot
8. Sheck Wes – Mo Bamba
9. Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future, & James Blake – King’s Dead
10. G-Eazy ft. A$AP Rocky & Cardi B – No Limit
11. Maliibu Mitch – Give Her Some Money
12. Nicki Minaj – Chun-Li
13. Saweetie – ICY GRL
14. DJ Perry – Where The Ladies At – Weezy Twerk Mix
15. HoodCelebrityy – Walking Trophy
16. Rich The Kid – Plug Walk
17. YG ft. 2 Chainz, Big Sean, & Nicki Minaj – Big Bank
18. Drake – Nice For What

Follow DJ Diamond Kuts on Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, and Twitter.

Related: DJ QD Drops DJcity Podcast Mix

As the world of turntablism continues to grow, DJs seek new ways to push the boundaries of scratch records. UK turntablist DJ Woody has done just that with his Flexicuts series. Released through his label Woodwurk Records, it is the first skip-proof scratch tool pressed on the flexible material known as flexi disc.

On the third episode of DJcityTV’s Fresh Press, Battle Avenue director Antriks tests out the fourth Flexicuts release with the help of Woody and his Grind Strip device.

Watch above.

Flexicuts 4 is available at Mega DJ Center (US) and Wordwurk’s website (global).

Related: Antriks Reviews DJ A1’s Instrumental Hip-Hop Record, ‘A1BEATSTRUMENTAL V1’

Diplo recently stopped by the Boiler Room’s London headquarters to drop a DJ set.

The Mad Decent boss’ hour-long performance featured tracks from African and Brazilian artists, alongside club favorites like Drake, Migos, and Cardi B. Diplo also threw in tracks from his groups Major Lazer and Silk City, his collaboration with Mark Ronson.

Watch above.

Tracklist (according to 1001Tracklists.com):

1. Aero Manyelo – Tshunga
2. Daft Punk – Emotion – DJ Mauboussin Bootleg
3. Mr. Eazi – Leg Over – Major Lazer Dub
4. Davido – Skelewu – Major Lazer & Wiwek Remix
5. Major Lazer ft. Justin Bieber & MO – Cold Water – ID Remix
6. Olamide – Science Student
7. DJ Mujava – Township Funk – Ashley Beedle Africanz On Marz Re-Edit
8. Kelis – Milkshake – Kandy Remix
9. Jay R Neutron – Know Me
10. Michael Brun – Jalouzi
11. Major Lazer ft. Travis Scott, Camila Cabello, & Quavo – Know No Better
12. Babes Wodumo ft. Mampintsha & Danger – Umngan’wami
13. Bhizer ft. Busiswa, SC Gorna, & Bhepepe – Gobisiqolo
14. Babes Wodumo ft. Mampintsha – Wololo
15. MHD – Afro Trap Pt. 8 (Never) – ID Remix
16. ID – ID
17. Migos & Lil Uzi Vert – Bad And Boujee
18. Drake ft. Rihanna – Too Good – Liam Keegan Remix
19. Gama – Everybody Ready
20. SOPHIE – MSMSMSM
21. MC Neguinho do ITR – Popotao Grandao
22. MC Rafa Original, MC Taliba, & DJ P7 – No Beco
23. Major Lazer ft. The Partysquad – Original Don – ID Remix
24. Anitta, MC Zaac, & Maejor ft. Tropkillaz & DJ Yuri Martins – Vai Malandra
25. FlipN’Gawd – Brazilian Wax
26. MC Fioti, Future, J Balvin, Stefflon Don, & Juan Magan – Bum Bum Tam Tam
27. Migos – Narcos
28. Cardi B – Money Bag – Lazy Flow Afro Funk Edit
29. Migos – T-Shirt
30. ID – ID
31. Benga & Coki – Night
32. Aaliyah – Are You That Somebody
33. ID – ID
34. Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano – La Vela (Prende La Vela)
35. Orlando Voorn – In Da Jungle – Chocolate Puma Remix
36. ID – ID
37. Afrojack & Quinten De Rosario ft. Jessie K – Bald ‘N’ Hairy
38. Jude & Frank ft. Toto la Momposina – La Luna – ID Remix
39. ID – ID
40. Karismae – ID
41. Silk City ft. Daniel Merriweather – Only Can Get Better

Related: Watch Tropkillaz and Major Lazer’s ‘Loko’ Video Feat. MC Kevinho and Busy Signal

Beyoncé and JAY-Z dropped a surprise album on Saturday titled Everything Is Love, along with a video for the project’s second track, “APESH#T.” The nine-track album is currently only available via Tidal. It was released under the artist name, The Carters.

The stunning visual for “APESH#T” was directed by Ricky Saiz and shot at the Louvre in Paris.

According to Billboard, “APESH#T” features contributions from Pharrell Williams, Quavo, and Offset. Pharrell assisted with production, while Quavo and Offset provided vocals.

Watch the video above.

Related: DJ Serg Remixes Beyonce’s ‘Crazy in Love’: DJcity Exclusive

Alex Rosales performs at Don Chente Bar and Grill in Los Angeles on April 27, 2017.

Rising Los Angeles-based producer and singer Alex Rosales has dropped a Latin remix of Zedd, Maren Morris, and Grey‘s smash hit, “The Middle.” The original version peaked at No. 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100, making it Zedd’s highest-charting single as a main artist. It was also one of DJcity’s most-downloaded tracks of February.

Rosales replaces Zedd and Grey’s production with a new instrumental, which is driven by Latin-influenced guitar and drums. He maintains most of Morris’ original vocals throughout while adding his own verse and a catchy hook.

Born in Indiana, Rosales is best known for his remix of Becky G‘s Latin heater “Mayores” featuring Bad Bunny. His latest single, “Bailar Asi,” interpolates the chorus from Mana‘s 1982 classic, “Oye Mi Amor.”

Preview Rosales’ “The Middle” remix below and download it on DJcity.

A post shared by Alex Rosales (@thealexrosales) on Jun 1, 2018 at 4:05pm PDT

Follow Alex Rosales on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Related: Watch: How Zedd’s ‘The Middle’ Was Made

Electric Bodega performs at the Electric Adventure festival in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Source: Instagram)

New York DJ/producer duo Electric Bodega has remixed DJ Kass and Pitbull‘s viral reggaeton anthem, “Scooby Doo Pa Pa.” The original is currently No. 13 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, having peaked at No. 9.

Bodega’s rework adds trap and moombahton sections while maintaining the original vocals.

Comprised of Mike Cash and DJ Klutch, the duo has received support from heavyweights such as Diplo and Skrillex, and influential radio hosts like DJ Enuff and DJ Camilo.

Preview their “Scooby Doo Pa Pa” remix below and download it on DJcity.

A post shared by DJcity (@djcity) on Jun 15, 2018 at 11:41am PDT

Related: Watch DJ Kass’ ‘Scooby Doo Pa Pa’ Video

Tomcio. (Source: Instagram)

Featured on DJcity earlier this week:

– Zaeden ft. Rupee – Tempted To Touch
– Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg – Still D.R.E. – Stavros Martina, Kevin D, & Gio Brown Remix

DJcity’s weekly picks are selected by Kidd Spin. To receive them via email, click here.

Related: Must-Play Tracks for the Weekend: June 8