Meet the Winners of the Beatport & Microsoft Surface Originals² Remix Competition
Get to know the Beatport & Microsoft Surface’s Originals² Remix Competition winners, who will perform for Beatport in Ibiza and receive a huge producer prize package.
In February of 2022, Beatport and Microsoft Surface came together to create a once-in-a-lifetime remix competition as part of Originals² — a collaborative campaign featuring continent-spanning collaborations and educational events with world-famous DJs and newcomers to fuel the originality of the next generation of musicians.
In gearing up for the 2022 edition of the International Music Summit (IMS) in Ibiza, we gave producers from around the world the opportunity to remix the track, “Inside Your Head”, by internationally renowned Italian duo Gioli & Assia ” for the chance to win a free trip to Ibiza with a unique performance opportunity around this year’s conference.
After receiving hundreds of remix submissions, we selected four winners to join us in Ibiza at the end of April as our guests of honor to perform a world-first four-person b2b set using the Beatport DJ App’s Party Mode feature, which has been optimized for touchscreen on Microsoft Surface. In addition, each winner will receive a massive music production prize package, including a Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and Microsoft Surface Headphones 2.
Now, it’s time to meet the winners! Congratulations to ShiShi (New York), Zakente (Portugal), Casis (South Africa) D’Jessique (Miami) on your fantastic remixes, and we look forward to seeing you perform together in Ibiza.
Learn more about our four featured artists and check out their winning remixes below.
ShiShi
Congratulations on winning the Originals² Remix Competition, ShiShi! Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am an Indian diaspora artist from New York, NY, growing up in Asia, Europe, and the United States. My music reflects this journey, combining elements from cultures worldwide and showcasing my Indian roots. I grew up listening to classic rock and playing guitar, and bands like Led Zeppelin and The Jimi Hendrix Experience first inspired me to write my own songs.
As I grew up, I got interested in making music on the computer because I could do everything myself. This eventually led me to making dance music around the same time I went to college and was exposed to more party music. As a DJ and electronic music producer, I love to surprise my audience and fans by incorporating styles and cultures that they wouldn’t expect to hear together.
Lately, I’ve been singing and playing electric guitar on a lot of my records (which you can check out here), trying to push the boundaries of dance music and bring more intentional songwriting into the mix. For these reasons, I look up to artists like Monolink, Satori and Gioli, and Assia — they are all doing their own unique thing and making it cool and accessible for the scene.
What do you love about being a DJ?
I love creating connections between different genres, cultures and styles, especially ones that wouldn’t normally be considered compatible. To me, it’s the greatest gift as a DJ to be able to introduce new combinations of cultures and sounds to my audience.
A big part of my spiritual journey as a human being has been about dissolving the illusion of separation between myself and others and finding that common ground of belonging that we can all call home, no matter who we are or where we come from. Playing sets that combine sounds from “different” worlds with the intention to unite a dancefloor is my favorite part about DJing.
Who are your influencers, and what made you enter?
My favorite artists exist in their own worlds, borrowing elements from different genres and styles but creating a unique and unmistakable sound.
In my opinion, the whole reason to be an artist is to say something new, something that only you can say, so I am most influenced by artists who have a clear voice and message and who are immediately recognizable, like Tame Impala, Monolink, Two Feet, Kid CuDi, and Jimi Hendrix, to name a few.
I entered this remix contest because I respect Gioli and Assia in the same way. Sure, they may exist within a certain context of “dance music,” but I feel deep integrity in their music — an authenticity and loyalty to their vision as artists. I aspire to be this kind of artist as well.
D’Jessique
Congratulations on winning the Originals² Remix Competition, D’Jessique! Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a versatile DJ and producer hailing from Miami. I really enjoy blending key elements from various genres to create a unique musical experience. I entered this remix competition to push myself. I am constantly trying new techniques and hoping to grow as a producer.
What do you love about being a DJ?
I enjoy blending elements from different genres to bring communities together and create a unique musical experience. Pulling the drums from one track and placing them on top of a heavier bassline, or different vocal… the options are endless!
Who are your influencers, and what made you enter?
Some of my influences include Chaos in the CBD, Josh Butler, Rebecca & Fiona and Peggy Gou. I entered the remix competition to push myself to try new techniques and grow as a producer. Having a set deadline to complete a track helps keep me focused and motivated. And obviously, to perform in Ibiza… how cool is that?! I really enjoyed Gioli & Assia’s original track and thought it would be fun to put a creative spin on it.
Casis
Congratulations on winning the Originals² Remix Competition, Casis! Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am from South Africa and have been producing music for five years now. What I love about producing is that there is total creative freedom. The ability to express yourself through music is unparalleled in my eyes and really resonates with me.
What do you love about being a DJ?
The ability to connect so many people at once. The synergy between the performer and the crowd is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. We’re all united by dance.
Who are your influencers, and what made you enter?
Some of my major influences in the game are Stephan Bodzin, RY X, Ben Bohmer, Lane 8, and without a doubt, Gioli & Assia. I entered the competition because I really admire Gioli & Assia for what they’ve done. To be recognized by them would be a dream come true!
Zakente
Congratulations on winning the Originals² Remix Competition, Zakente! Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a DJ and music producer hailing from Angola. My family is from São Tomé e Principe, so I was raised in Portugal and took my first steps into music at a young age. At first, I was more involved in the EDM world, but my sound has migrated to the musical roots that live within the realm of Afro house and its variations and subgenres. I’ve developed my own style with strong electronic and house music influences.
What do you love about being a DJ?
The best part of being a DJ is our proximity to all music. Shall we say it is an almost intimate connection and the vibration and emotions established with the crowd? It can be one, ten, or one-thousand people listening to you perform, but the most important thing is the true love of the music. In its pure essence, making people dance and vibrate with your music, seeing their smiles and shining eyes is priceless.
Who are your influencers, and what made you enter?
From a very young age, I was a huge fan of artists such as Avicii, Seu Jorge, Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Swedish House Mafia, Camilo Domingos (from my roots), and many, many more. I’ve always been a big fan of music and a good listener and appreciator. In general, regardless of the musical genre, the most important thing is the art being well elaborated. These and many other factors are responsible for shaping the artist and person I am today.