In a scene of movers and shakers, the art of DJing is being pushed to new levels thanks to major players such as Liana. The multi-talented DJ and music head's name has been on the lips of tastemakers since her beginnings on NASTY FM in 2010, elevating her name further with an ongoing monthly slot on Radar Radio, and guest spots on KISS, Rinse and NTS. Based on such a respectable CV, it's fair to say she knows her stuff.
Her high-octane fusion of grime, Jersey Club, club trax, hip-hop, footwork and beyond is also in high demand away from the stations she also calls home, with the festival circuit taking her hand and failing to let go. A high calibre selector who's set to spin some decks with Lethal Bizzle, Big Shaq and more at this year's Cyprus Break Festival, we persuaded Liana to warm up and show off her steez in an eclectic mix brimming with flavour and diversity.
Tell us a bit about your selections in this mix.
This mix is basically a selection of the music I've been listening to and loving. It's a bit like a party mix, but then there's also some more slower-paced stuff I'm really into. 40 minutes of pure joy and an insight into the various stuff that gets me going.
What was the one track you absolutely had to include?
I had to include everything; couldn't single out just one track. But the new Denzel Curry tune, "Sumo", is ridiculous and I had to throw in Frisco's "Good Feeling" off his new album. Expect nothing but good vibes!
Any tracks that narrowly missed the cut?
Not really. There were other things I could've included, but everything in here is there for a reason.
What's the first single or album you ever bought?
Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time". I'm pretty sure I paid in coppers, with my pocket money, at the checkout in Sainsbury's.
What's the last physical record you bought?
Last week actually, I bought a Prince album called Sign o' the Times on vinyl—although it wasn't for me. It was a birthday present for somebody else.
What do you want to see happen musically over the next 12 months?
More girls on line-ups, not just as a quota type of booking. More people playing the tunes they love, not just the tunes they think people want to hear. Less clubs in London shutting down, and more musically diverse parties.
What trend or scene absolutely needs to die right now?
I'm not sure if any scene or trend needs to die because each is an expression of something, however weird it might be to the next person, and that expression ultimately has to be a good thing.
Tracklist:
1. Yung Fume & Zaytoven - "Something Else" f/ Young Nudy
2. Slowthai - "T N Biscuits"
3. Denzel Curry - "Sumo"
4. Dirty Danger - "Run"
5. Black Violin - "I'm A Ryder" f/ DMX
6. Dizzee Rascal - "Ghost" f/ Bugzy Malone
7. Mystry - "Pulse 8"
8. Special Request - "Make It Real"
9. Goldie & Skepta - "Upstart (Roadtrip)"
10. Tom Calvert - "Alone"
11. Ms. Dynamite - "Gonna Make It Through" f/ Wariko & Selah
12. Omaar - "Megabyte"
13. Jeremih - "Don't Tell Em" (Nightmare Refix)
14. Skengdo & AM - "Swerving"
15. CHIP - "Settings" (Dirty)
16. Gunna - "King Kong" f/ Young Thug
17. Jammer - "Wave & Jagga" f/ Dizzle_AP (Deyaz Remix) f/ D.Hustler
18. DJ Funk - "Three Fine Hoes" (Sinjin Hawke Remix)
19. IDK - "Pizza Shop" f/ Yung Gleesh
20. Chimpo - "DidDieDoDat"
21. Headie One - "Golden Boot"
22. Dreezy - "We Gon Ride" f/ Gucci Mane
23. Sam Wise - "Rack" Up
24. Jubilee - "Spa Day"
25. J Hus - "Did You See" (Dubfreq Refix)
26. Frisco - "Good Feeling"
27. Big Sean & Metro Boomin - "Go Legend" f/ Travis Scott
28. Yally - "Dread Risk"
29. Lapti - "Gimme"
30. Ticklish - "Through The Wire VIP"
