Aluna and Conducta DJs Discussing the Exploitation and Prospects for Black in Electronic Music

A recent conversation between Aluna and Conducta songwriters contained reflections on harsh reality for black in dance music. They explained why it’s important to speak out and don’t endure when you have a lot of pressure.

Two potent musicians can boast the latest remixes with Kiwi Rekords, presented in a form of  ‘Renaissance (Kiwi Remixes)’ EP — a perfect sound with mood-boosting energy. Independently they also provide support to crucial voices in the dance music community, especially promoting talents among Black people and fighting against supremacist conducts. Aluna talked publicly, calling the scene to tackle “long-standing racial inequalities”. DJ Conducta in turn took up to encourage his fellow Black artists and re-educate people in terms of whitewashing in dance music’s history.

Issues that were discussed included their own experience, historical restrictions for their career, and plans for the future. Aluna grew up in St Albans but she is acquainted well with different restrictive legislation which affected the promotion of Black dance music in London. Conducta thus shared his memories about Form 696 – a project that was aimed to eliminate the spread of Black music genres in London clubs. He confessed that organizers demanded his address and other personal data before the show. Also, certain genres were removed from flyers.

Aluna wondered why this targeted government campaign was needed. She talked about the power of Black voices and their right to be treated adequately. The famous English DJ was curious about questions why mainstream dance music is so white. She explained that a long-lasting filtering process of Black music impact practically eradicated its visible signs and any roots of their culture. The Black music genres were treated as subgenres or weren’t taken into consideration at all. And anything that could be transformed into white variants, like the house part of house and garage, happened frequently in the 90s. The most insulting moment, however, was when music contained Black women voices without celebrating them at all. On that score, she praised Moby not only as extremely creative DJ but as right activist, who supports usage of Black music patterns.