Music and (literal) movement have defined Karaba’s entire life. Karaba was born in Grenoble, France and, at the age of seven, moved to Montreal. As a child, Karaba was enrolled in dance, which would become the next key step in her artistic journey and her first love. Self-described as an immigrant all her life, Karaba relocated to key musical markets to pursue dance, like New York when she was 20 years old, and then Los Angeles in 2014.
While she was in Los Angeles, Karaba danced for some of pop music’s heaviest hitters such as Drake, Camila Cabello, and Selena Gomez, as well as appeared in numerous music videos and award shows.
When a major tour was canceled in 2016, Karaba felt helpless about the next step of her career. She then found her way to DJing and music production, a thought that had been bubbling up in the back of her mind for some time. Enrolling in the DJ Scratch Academy in L.A., Karaba says she found a renewed artistic purpose.
“Being able to control the music with my fingers was the closest I ever felt to music. The feeling was just out of this world.”
What first got you into music?
My parents. They were and still are both huge fans of music. Growing up my mom would always listen to french artists such as Claude François & Céline Dion. But she was also a huge fan of Motown artists. As for my dad, he would always make us listen to music from Africa, especially from his country, Congo-Brazzaville. So I would listen to ndombolo, coupé décalé & afrobeat.
What is your creative process like?
I usually just start with drums/percussion and then I build the beat as I go. Sometimes I’ll hear a loop I like or a specific song will inspire me but most of the time it just comes naturally, I can’t really force it haha.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
I’d love to collaborate with Stromae. He’s a Belgium artist that I admire so much. I love his music and his take on it. He mixes a lot of different genres together and that’s kind of what I do as well. His songwriting skill is also incredible so I’d just love to be in a studio with him creating music.
What do you enjoy most about being an artist?
I love being an artist. I feel like I’ve been an artist all my life since I started dancing when I was 7 years old and then never stopped. What I love about being an artist is that I have this beautiful outlet to express myself. Being an artist for me is not just a title, it is literally a way of living. I don’t see myself doing anything else than being an artist. I love that every day I get to wake up and make art and change people’s day with the music I make or even if people come to one of my DJ sets. The feeling of knowing that I’ve made someone’s day by the music I play/or made is a feeling I can’t even describe and probably what I enjoy the most as an artist.
Are you creative in other disciplines?
Sure am! I was a professional dancer for 10 years prior to becoming a DJ/producer. Dance has always been my passion. I started at 7 years old and from then on I knew I wanted to make it to the professional world. Once I turned 24/25 and I had achieved all my goals as a professional dancer, I asked myself what’s the next move now? I wanted to challenge myself to do something different. And that’s when I decided to become a DJ/producer.
What is the most useless talent you have?
I can touch my nose with my tongue.
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
OMG, this is one of my favorite things to do! I sing everything! Right now my favorite song to play in the shower is “Dégaine” by Aya Nakamura.
What would be the ideal food to have cooked for you on a date night?
I’m simple. Everyone knows I LOVE pizza. But it has to be authentic Italian pizza. Not pizza from the supermarket that you throw in the oven.
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
The documentary about Neymar’s life on Netflix. I got inspired by his athlete’s mentality. I love watching documentaries about athletes. I get so inspired by the way they think and how they overcome a lot of obstacles. I myself from a very young age was really into sports. I played basketball, and soccer and I did gymnastics as well when I was really young. So I often find myself having the same kind of mentality when it comes to my art.
What makes you nostalgic?
The 2000’s. I love that era! The music was so great! Pop, RnB, Rap, Hip-Hop, you name it! The music videos were on point, I used to record them on a cassette tape and learned the choreographies!