We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sabine Blaizin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sabine thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I am a DJ/Music Producer/Event Curator and Founder of Oyasound. I have over 15 years experience in the NYC music industry. I am well known for my hypnotic and crowd moving House, Deep House, AfroHouse, Deep Tech, and more DJ sets. My seamless blends, execution, and style sets the right tone for any venue! I also have extensive experience as an event curator and can additionally create collaborative sonic landscapes, installations, and performance showcases. My lifestyle brand Oyasound Productions features artists, music, and events highlighting the intersections of the cultures of the African Diaspora through the syncretism of traditional rhythms and electronic music.

Sabine, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Sabine Blaizin, DJ, Music Producer, and Event Curator, is a prominent DJ and cultural advocate focused on African diasporic music. Founder of Oyasound Productions which merges traditional rhythms with electronic music, she spins a diverse mix of Global Soul, including House, Afrotech, Afrobeat, and Haitian Roots.

With over 15 years in the music scene, she’s had the great opportunity to spin nationally in the US in NYC, Atlanta, St. Louis, Memphis, Chicago, Omaha, Boston, New Orleans, Miami, LA/Oakland, NJ, Washington DC, Dallas, Denver and internationally in Canada, Senegal, Haiti, Cuba, London, Paris, Bordeaux, Amsterdam, & Mexico. Thus, she has made significant contributions that solidified her reputation as a key figure in the music industry. She is renowned for her innovative projects like Brooklyn Mecca, a monthly event celebrated as the home of “Grassroots Dance Culture”; Cumbancha, which features African-inspired rhythms in House, Soul, and Latin music; and Rekòlte: A Night of Haitian Roots & House. She also took part in residencies at notable venues like Le Bain (Standard Hotel), Soho House, and House of Yes NYC and music label Fania Records.

She continues to influence the scene with her creative vision and dedication to cultural advocacy. As an activist, Sabine continuously celebrates and elevates the cultural heritage and artistic evolution of the African Diaspora. In this capacity, she is the Director of Programs at the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute. Sabine ultimately seeks to create new scholarship through the African and Haitian diasporic lens of music, culture and spirituality.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

As a Black Haitian woman DJ, with over 15 years experience, in a predominantly white male and often homogeneous industry, I had faced my share of challenges. I didn’t give up and I created my own lane/niche which was an opportunity to really make an impact. Resilience isn’t just about overcoming obstacles—it’s also about turning challenges into opportunities for growth and connection. I have built loyal fans and contributed to the sounds of AfroHouse, Haitian House, and more.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building my audience on social media was both a thrilling and challenging experience. When I first started, I was eager to share my passion for music but felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content out there and the pressure to stand out.

I began by creating a consistent and authentic brand that reflected both my Haitian heritage and my unique style as a DJ. I used social media to not only showcase my music but also to share aspects of my personal journey. This included posting about my Haitian roots, the cultural influences in my music, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into my DJing process. Authenticity helped me connect on a deeper level with my audience. It is still a work in progress but I like the digital village I created.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.oyasound.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SabineBlaizin https://www.instagram.com/oyasound
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabineblaizin
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dj-sabine

Image Credits

All Purple Dress Photos By Moriah Ziman

BoomBox Photo By Vivian Vo

In Studio Photo By Brunot Studios