Having started in grime and rap before switching to 4x4 bassline and, later, tech-house (he still keeps one foot in the rap scene with a secret alias), producer/DJ Antonio Noure is perfectly positioned to translate rap and R&B for the dancefloor.
The Birmingham native slipped a few of those into this new mix for us—including takes on Tems’ “Higher” and Aaliyah’s “One In A Million”—but he’s got plenty more besides, such as a thumping take on Skepta and Jme’s “That’s Not Me” (dubbed “Return Of The Mack”) and a jumpy edit of Yin Yang Boyz’s “2:30”. A prolific producer of his own tunes, Noure also draws influence from the reggae soundsystems of the 1980s, as well as the timeless R&B gems of the ‘90s.
Recent joints, “Voicebox” and “Gotta Let Go”, have proved particularly popular. This year has been a particularly busy one with a run of shows in London and Birmingham under his belt, a stack of fresh uploads on his Bandcamp and, by the looks of his Instagram page, he’s got a few more productions ready to lift the lid on.
While we wait to hear more on those upcoming releases, we caught up with Noure to talk more about his mix and some of the music that inspired him over the years. Press play on that below, and read more on the flip.
Tell us a bit about your selections in this mix.
In this mix, I carefully curated a blend of tracks that showcase my signature dark and melodic style, as well as playing some of my personal club favourites which made me fall in love with the house genre. I wanted to bring together a diverse range of sounds and emotions, creating a sonic experience that keeps the energy high and the listeners engaged from start to finish. Each track was chosen for its unique elements, whether it’s the infectious basslines, mesmerizing vocal hooks, or intricate melodies. I believe in the power of music to evoke emotions and take listeners on a transformative journey. With that in mind, I’ve included tracks that balance intensity with moments of introspection, creating a dynamic flow that keeps the mix exciting and fresh, including my singles “Voicebox” and “Gotta Let Go”, which have received so much support and love from some big DJs in the scene. These tracks represent my artistic vision and showcase my ability to blend dark and melodic elements with captivating vocals; overall, being only a music producer but transitioning to a DJ, I wanted to give my listeners a unique and immersive experience that they won’t forget in a hurry.
What was the one track you absolutely had to include?
I have a track called “Desire”, which is a remix of Aaliyah’s “One In A Million”; that’s probably my favourite at the moment, and a VIP remix I made of the classic Shadow Child remix of Hot Natured and Anabel Englund’s “Reverse Skydiving”.
Any tracks that narrowly missed the cut?
Yeah, definitely: my Ice Spice “Munch (Feelin’ U)” remix.
What’s the first single or album you ever bought?
To my knowledge, the first single I bought was Mark Morrison’s “Return Of The Mack” and the first album I bought has to be Experience by The Prodigy around 1992.
What’s the last physical record you bought?
I tend to listen to a lot of rap and grime in my downtime, so SafOne’s Saf Done Dis 2 and M1llionz’s Provisional Licence are probably my last must-have buys.
What do you want to see happen musically over the next 12 months?
In the next 12 months, musically, I ultimately want to see myself gaining more exposure in the house scene. My goal is to secure bigger event bookings and potentially land an overseas residency. Additionally, I am actively working towards releasing my music on a few respected record labels, as this will help boost my credibility and reach a wider audience. I’m really dedicated to building my fanbase and engaging with my listeners through various channels, and it would be incredible to see my following grow and to create a strong community around my music.
What trend or scene absolutely needs to die right now?
That’s a hard one. I appreciate all music. It’s all a form of expression to me. Personally, I tend to just leave myself open to inspiration. I also have an alias which I use to produce rap and grime, and have been for many years. As I’ve seen the growth and power of social media from the days of MySpace and MSN to now with Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, being able to catch the attention of the masses is a new commodity so there will be a lot of music created just to be seen rather than heard or felt.
Tracklist:
1. Antonio Noure - Vortex
2. Jack & Danny - Falling
3. Antonio Noure - Jungle In My Head Remix
4. Antonio Noure - Gotta Let Go
5. Antonio Noure - Kurtz & Bomber Remix
6. Nano - Wonder
7. Hot Natured - Reverse Skydiving f/ Anabel Englund
8. Hot Natured - Reverse Skydiving f/ Anabel Englund (Shadow Child Remix) (Antonio Noure VIP)
9. Calle Lebraun - Because Of Me
10. Claude Von Stroke - Who's Afraid Of Detroit
11. Tems - Higher (Antonio Noure Remix)
12. Yin Yang Boyz - 2:30
13. Carnao Beats - Gone In The Morning
14. Antonio Noure - Desire (Aaliyah Remix)
