Back in 2015, DJ/producer Blinkie released his debut single "Don't Give Up (On Love)", and what a debut it was. It's now sitting pretty with over 20 million streams on Spotify alone (over 30 million total). Not only that, before the year was through the track had been remixed by the likes of Tom Zanetti, K.O Kane, Jammer and Josh Parkinson. Since then pretty much every single drop has sailed past the seven-figure streams mark and, unsurprisingly, he's found himself a go-to guy when it comes to club remixes.
Major Lazer, Anne-Marie, JP Cooper and Everything Everything have all called on his talents and then, last year, Blinkie teamed up with Crazy Cousinz for another hit: "Blue Skies". As another year draws to a close and another summer hit under his belt ("Little Love"), Complex hit up Blinkie to make us a mix, and it's one he's dedicated to the black people in dance music that inspire him to carry on.
Tell us a bit about your selections in this mix.
I wanted to show my appreciation to the black DJs, artists and producers that inspire me, both past and present. Those who came before me paved the way and made it possible to believe that I could have a career making and playing good dance music, and seeing those that are currently out there doing their thing makes me proud to be part of the next generation of black artists, producers and DJs in dance music. Many of my tracks are influenced by quite a few of the DJs and producers that I've included in this mix.
What was the one track you absolutely had to include?
Hot Natured & Ali Love's "Benediction". That's one of my all-time favourite house tracks; it just makes me happy.
Any tracks that narrowly missed the cut?
Nope. All of the tracks had a purpose in the mix, but I was actually going to replace a couple of my own tracks with other tracks I wanted to add.
What's the first single or album you ever bought?
I think it was 50 Cent's Get Rich Or Die Tryin' or Missy Elliott's Under Construction.
What's the last physical record you bought?
The last physical record I bought was a Ministry Of Sound CD that had one of my singles on it.
What do you want to see happen musically over the next 12 months?
I would like to see more mainstream artists jumping on house/dance tracks and more producers and DJ experimenting with house, like the track "Midnight Hour" from Boys Noize, Skrillex and Ty Dolla $ign.
What trend or scene absolutely needs to die right now?
I think everything has its place and space and deserves to live. There's always something for everyone to draw inspiration from in every scene and trend.
Tracklist:
1. Frankie Knuckles - Your Love f/ Jamie Principle
2. Marshall Jefferson - Move Your Body (Solardo)
3. Carl Cox - I Want You (Forever) (Josh Butler Remix) (Radio Edit)
4. Jamie Jones & The Martinez Brothers - Bappi (Edit)
5. Nightcrawlers - Push The Feeling On (MK Dub Revisited Edit)
6. Broken Ears - Feeling Good
7. Jax Jones - House Work
8. MistaJam - Rotate
9. Mason Maynard - Puffy
10. Disciples - Daylight (Radio Edit)
11. Green Velvet & Patrick Topping - Voicemail
12. Azari & III - Hungry For The Power (Jamie Jones' Ridge Street Mix)
13. Tazer & Tink - Wet Dollars
14. Blinkie & Crazy Cousinz - Blue Skies
15. Black Coffee, Bucie - Turn Me On
16. Cajmere & Dajae - Brighter Days
17. Dennis Ferrer - Hey Hey
18. iLL BLU - Tribalist (Get To Know) f/ Glowie
19. MK - 17
20. MK - Burning (Vibe Mix)
21. Wankelmut & Emma Louise - My Head Is A Jungle (MK Remix)
22. Blinkie - Must Be Love f/ Celina Sharma
23. Storm Queen - Look Right Through (MK Vocal Edit)
24. Blinkie - Must Be Love f/ Celina Sharma
25. Azealia Banks - Anna Wintour
26. Hot Natured - Benediction
27. Ninetoes - Finder - (Carl Cox Remix) (Edit)
