Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chenice Branquinho. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Chenice, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I had been welcomed in a way that I never have before by the electronic dance music community so the community and music made me feel like home. I had been going to shows for a few years, and then watched a Ted Talk that asked, ‘what would you regret on your death bed?’ and the answer that immediately came to mind was music.

Chenice, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Chenice, ‘branqueeno’ and I am a house music DJ in New York City.

I always day dreamed about being an artist, but never felt like I was creative. In 2019, I had a calling and finally decided to learn music. This pursuit was purely about curiosity and self discovery. I never had any intentions to play in front of people other than my friends.

Since then, I have become increasingly immersed in the NYC dance music scene and culture. Though it may not be my full time work, I can confidently say that this more than just a hobby, and is a budding career.

The last two years have been formative for my growth and a display of my potential. I have had consistent bookings, regularly play at some of the most well known dance music venues in NYC, gained a DJ residency with a large scale promoter, and frequently play as a support act to well known and established artists.

The dance music community is so special to me, it’s the first place where I felt truly accepted and at home. Beyond the music, I make sure the work I do as a DJ and artist creates safe, supportive spaces that build up the scene and community.

I am the New York lead for Sisters in Sound, a collective founded by Fatima Reynolds who is based in Washington DC. Some of the work I do with Sisters in Sound includes mentorship, skill workshops, and networking events that foster and create opportunities to elevate women, gender non-confirming, and people of color.

I am also part of City Soul, a collective founded by Alan Gibson. It is known as the party school bus dance party. It’s a short bus that includes a full sound system, DJ gear, and lights that drives around and plays free, renegade style parties all over NYC. The work that City Soul does helps showcase and elevate local talent, grow the audience of dance music, and make music free and accessible to everyone. Over the past few years, this unique vehicle, both physically and metaphorically, has gotten the attention of legendary promoters and acts in the dance music world like the Lot Radio, Fred Again, Skrillex, and Four Tet.

I have never had to force music, it seems to unfold for me naturally in ways I could have never imagined. With my passion and growth mindset, the future is bright but uncertain. Late last year, I decided I was ready to learn how to make my own music and learn music production. I believe that this is the next step for me to develop my skillset as an artist. I plan to have some official releases out this year.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn perfection and my fear of being seen.

I would record DJ mixes for hours and hours and I could never get it perfect. Eventually, I had to let go of and post the DJ mixes anyway. mistakes and all.

Live mixing will never be perfect and if you want to be on stage performing for others, there is always that risk. You may (and will) mess up at times.

It takes great courage to be vulnerable, but if you don’t embrace it, nobody will ever hear your music and you’ll never get the platform. No artist is exempt from this.

Fun fact, most people are so wrapped up in their own worlds and don’t notice when you mess up anyway!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Service to others. And I believe music is an expression of the perfection of the universe, it helps me connect to that.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://youareimportantproject.com/dj-branqueeno
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/youareimportantproject
• Twitter: https://x.com/branqueeno
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvGAN-7GTew
• Other: https://soundcloud.com/branqueeno