Dj Floro: “The power is in them, without women there will be no real revolution

Dj Floro has the halo of being a dj without borders: he loves music and songs and does not try to distinguish between any of the genres. It tries to transmit existing emotions and attitudes in the places where the sounds originate. A founding member of the AfrobeatProject Cultural Association, more than 20 albums compiled, radio presenter, he will visit the island on May 11 to offer his work at the Malvasoul LoveFest 2019.

In a few months, you visit Lanzarote, to put the soundtrack to this year’s edition of Malvasoul, what do you expect to find in this event that is clearly growing?

All the activities organized by Javier Sanjuán have a special magic. With Malvasoul it was not going to be less. For their parties have passed the best of the selectors and dj’s of the islands and of outside them. Not to mention the environment where they are made. I hope to meet people who want to dance, to enjoy the sounds that are selected and celebrate the love of dance music in each and every one of its genres, as the organizers say.

For the public of the island, it should be noted that it is not the first time you visit Lanzarote. You were already here in the mythical Paradise 76 or on the Costa de Músicas. What do you think of the public on the island?

I had the great good fortune to meet Javier Sanjuán, who made it possible for me to play at several mythical places on the island. This has allowed me to get to know among the people of Lanzarote, a public very receptive to my sound proposals and with a great musical culture. I’ve been coming to the island for several years now, so I’m no stranger to the audience that comes to my sessions. I never have them ready, since what I like is to read the track constantly to be able to launch stimuli to people and see how they react. I try to share emotions that different music produces.

And recently you have also played at La Grulla.

In La Grulla is my friend David, whom I met in Seville when he worked in the Malandar, an old-school club, the same as La Crane, a place that is more than a cocktail bar. I have really enjoyed the times I have played in that place. It is gratifying to see people dancing with music that thrills me and that comes from all over the world.

Do you find differences when putting music between the public of a big city and the public of smaller places?

I think there are almost no differences, because with the digital age we live, interested people have access to all music, wherever they live. Also, in my case, I am lucky enough to work on Radio 3, so many of the people attending my sessions know the music that motivates me. But at other times there are different levels in terms of their approach, it is not the same to play in a club, as in a Festival, where hundreds of people can attend, for example

Your latest work, ‘Republicafrobeat’, is dedicated to women. Without a doubt, from music we must also take steps and demand equality.

“Mujeres” is the subtitle of Republicafrobeat Vol. 4, the first volume that has its own name. Why “Women”? First because it was a woman, the African-American Sandra Izsadore, who instilled conscience and blackness to Fela Kuti during her stay in the United States in the late 60s. Second, because women have always been involved in Afrobeat culture, in the shade, but present. Without them the afrobeat would have been lame. Third, because time, although slow, has been giving birth to women artists who practice styles such as jazz, hip hop, soul, funk and Afro-Latin or Caribbean rhythms, have been able to impregnate them with Afrobeat with great force. And fifth, why not make a “Republicafrobeat” starring entirely women, the only ones who have respected the original Afrobeat speech: denunciation and vindication? Power and cohesion are in them. In the Republicafrobeat Vol.4-Women there is a tour of several places on the planet. From Africa to Europe, passing through Spain and Latin America. Different styles, unique voices and social demand. Without women there will be no real revolution.

More than 20 albums, Spanish broadcaster Boogaloo and Afrobeat, what do you think will be the next break in music?

For what I bet and wish is that whatever will come from Africa, but as Fela Kuti said in 1992 about the future of African music: “It will spread throughout the world but it will take time … because it is the best way to to know. The gods do not want this music to be known on the international scene as a fad … but as an important cultural episode “