Yes, there are still surprises in life. And that at times where music is getting more and more equal and as a consequence boring. However, there is a young multitalent from Paris who knows how to fight against that – just to show that another way’s possible! Her way!
MISSILL!
Although only 25 years old, this young lady has done loads of things until now. MISSILL is a graffitti artists, graphic designer and DJ at the same time. Even more, she is a trendsetter. Where others mix one vinyl after another MISSILL gives music a special touch – from Ragga to Breakbeat, Electro, Hip Hop, Bmore, Punk to even the old classics.
MISSILL!
In graphic design she also knows how to set new standards. She started with graffiti in the streets of
MISSILL!
Missill: Two things. It was a really good opportunity for me to play for the press.
You played for the Coca-Cola-Club-Tour. How come that you work with such a big name?
M: I worked with them before, because I always played at Rock am Ring, Rock im Park and Splash in the Coca Cola tent, also with Afrika Bambaataa.
And how often does it happen that you play with two other female artists?
Usually never. I mean it was a good promotion and Princess Superstar is very well-known, and for the promotion of the album the occasion was perfect. But usually I wouldn’t play at a party if they ask me only because I’m a girl. Foremost, I’m an artist…
You started 6 years ago as a resident in the „Rumble in the Jungle“ parties. Which music did you play then?
That was more classical Ragga and Hip Hop. All Vinyls, but since two years I switched to the Computer program Cerrato…
You released a Mix-Mash-Up album and now your debut. You have toured worldwide already. Is it a hard way to get where you are now?
Yes, because we are so many. We are already so many in the world and then we all wanna work in the fun and good things. I’m very happy every day that I do what I do. And if people ask me what I wanna do later it’s just the same: I want to continue with what I do. I mean it has to do with a lot of luck, that you’re at the right place at the right time, and it has to do with a lot of hard work. And a second part: risks. You don’t have money in the beginning and you don’t know where it goes, but you know you wanna do this. On the other hand I also do graphic design. So I wasn’t completely lost.
That’s the other part. You also design and do graffiti. Where does all this creativity come from? You do a lot of things and in addition very well…
It’s because I want to learn something every day. Since I’m 18 I really like Hip Hop and I always wanted to learn everything that’s got to do with it. The dance, the scratch etc. I didn’t do the dance very well but I liked the graffiti. And then I became part of the BMC Crew, with which I did parties and then designed the flyers.
Did you study graphic design?
No. I learned everything by myself. When I was 18 I made an internship and I was determined to do everything to get what I want. When you move out from home then you either do the typical thing and work in a restaurant or you take the worst way - to go the way of the art. It also got to do with that I can’t make anything I don’t like. I can only do what I really want deep from inside my heart. That has been like that for 9 years now. First I started to learn graphic design in an internship and then I asked everywhere if I could do the graphic for them. In record shops, restaurants and everywhere. The first was a kebab. I was determined to do everything to learn. Then I started to do flyers and so on. Afterwards I went to
There will also be a comic for the album…
Yes, I’m strongly influenced by Japanese Mangas and I work with a Japanese guy together, who readapts my figures to do a comic strip. And for the website there are new comic characters, which you can put different clothes and stuff.
Your name is “Missill”, your new album is called “Targets” and your management is called “Full Force”. It sounds quite reactive, as if you would be always on fight…
Yes, first of all my name is Missill, because I’m speed, I’m very quick. But I didn’t see the connection with the management before. And „Targets“, because I put myself targets. I have a lot of targets and I want to put them all together. It’s all, the life, graphic, and the music. The album was a target as well, for example.
What are your main influences in music? You mix a lot of different styles from Breakbeat to Hip Hop, Ragga, with a rough punk style…
As time goes by you open your mind and if you travel a lot you look a lot for new music, and you find a lot as well. I take a bit of everything and then make my own style. All together is the Missill-Sound, but you never really know where it comes from.
Do you mix it before you play live?
I have a big base of music and sometimes I change some things on the plane. I never play the same, but I have to know all the pitches and I always have to play before. If you don’t do it, it will be shit. You have to know all the tracks, which are with loops, where is the cue and the pitch. And since everything is so quick I have to know it before, because I can’t check while I’m playing…
You went to
I think when you’re young you have to be in the capital. I come from the South of France, where there are only big wine fields. My father has a wine mountain. But I had to move. I mean, I have good roots, but I had to go. First I went to
Apart from making music yourself is there anything that really kicks you right now?
I like Kuduro, but the thing is that styles always come and go. I also like the
Why that?
Yeah, because it’s music from the poor people and the rich didn’t want to hear that. And I said: What??? I’m in Brasil and I shouldn’t play Baile Funk? I can play that everywhere in the world! Yeah, and because of the dirty lyrics…
When did you start to produce your own songs?
That just came. I want to create all the time, because I want to play my own stuff. Because, there is no sense if you go to a party and one DJ plays seven songs and the next one the same. I use Cerrato to make it more personal. First I made Bootlegs and than Beats and if you have are searching the whole time and than you have the possibility to make exactly the beat you want, you do it of course. It’s so cool, when people dance to your beat! That’s a big experience. I play the tracks also when they are not finished. First I put one part and look how people react. Then I play more and create the track together with the people…
You produced your album together with Blurum. How did you start with this collaboration?
I knew him before becasue we had been on tour with Oneself and he wanted to do something for me. I showed him some loops and he said: Yeah, this one rocks! I finihsed it then, it’s the first song from the album and Blurum added his stuff to it. We have a really good connection to each other. And we shared a lot of intense moments and parties together. It was just a good vibe. Later I asked him for another track, but it didn’t really work. You know, sometimes you try really hard but it doesn’t work then anymore.
What are your next goals?
A Live-Show, with Ableton Live, with DJ Netik, the world champion in scratching, with MPC and Tess, the Beatbox and with visuals. To have a big show. But that’s a lot of work. I have my DJ level, because I have been playing for years, but for a Live-Show is something else. That’s the next goal and it’s really important to bring it all together, to show that I’m a graphic designer and a DJ and all!
