Emerald, DJ Emerald, Emerald Rose... however you know her, you probably know her from her Rinse FM shows, or for her frequently requested DJ mixes that seem to be in a constant state of high-demand. Well, now it's our turn to call on her talents. For her Complex Session, the 'Queen of Drive-Time' has blended together some of the biggest and best bangers in house and bass music that will get you moving — from Cooly G's tech-meets-tribal-house bubbler "Digitally Higher" to Mind Of A Dragon's chopped-n-screwed edit of Donae'O's "Chalice".
Press play on the mix and get to know Emerald below, and catch her drive-time show Monday to Friday on Rinse FM (or you can catch up here). Emerald will play AMP Lost & Found Festival in Malta, May 2 - 5.
What was the one track you absolutely had to include?
A remix by These Evil Streets. The original is called "Lil Freak" by Three 6 Mafia, and it's such a ridiculously good remix! It's a naughty one.
Any tracks that narrowly missed the cut?
Mind Of A Dragon has so many incredible edits; one of them that I was going to include is an edit of "Little Man" by Sia, and then by Exemen Works. But I already had two MOAD tunes in there!
What's the first single or album you ever bought?
I would love to say something really cool, but it was probably something very typical of a girl born in '92 like Spice Girls or Avril Lavigne [laughs]. I was also a huge Rage Against The Machine fan from a very young age—I had every album on CD! My favourite was Renegades... I know it's all covers, but they are excellent covers.
What's the last physical record you bought?
It was a mix CD in Nicaragua last year, full of banging reggaeton.
What do you want to see happen musically over the next 12 months?
I want to see London a bit more open-minded to underground club music. It feels like most big clubs and dancefloors aren't accessible for underground DJs. Dancefloors tend to clear if unknown tunes are played. It's not the case everywhere, but you have to know exactly where to go and they're usually very intimate, small rooms. It doesn't seem to be the case in other UK cities.
What trend or scene absolutely needs to die right now?
Cancel culture. I'm not talking about people who are are doing or have done unforgivable things, but I find it hard to agree with people who are actively looking and waiting for people to slip up and revelling in their demise. We can't live in glass houses. There needs to be room to allow for growth for those who take accountability for their actions and mistakes.
Tracklist
1. Kouslin - Television
2. Candl - Get That Hoe
3. Murder He Wrote - Girl
4. Cooly G - Digitally Higher
5. Killjoy - Cut Inna Face
6. Violet - 1
7. Murder He Wrote - February 14th (India Meets Jorja)
8. Roska f/ Chrystal & Simbad - Running
9. Mind Of A Dragon - Bubble
10. Hidden Parks - Mastaflaka
11. Bryte - 1,2,3,4
12. Donae'O - Chalice (Mind Of A Dragon Remix)
13. High Class Filter - Wingin It
14. Scratchclart x Lady Lykez - Muhammad Alie
15. Inch, Star.One & Smoke Boys - Duppy & Done
16. Izco - Deep
17. These Evil Streets - Beware The Freaks!!
18. Asa & Sorrow - Untitled
