Connecting the Culture Through Music with DJ Miamor of the UK
DJ Miamor is a 16 year old DJ from the UK we discovered on Twitch. Her classic R&B sound mixed with future beats, and enthusiasm for the music is what drew us in. She was featured on the UNDSCVRD Livestream finale in October, and rocked a killer set for us! We sat down with DJ Miamor to chat about how she got started, who her influences are, and what it means being Filipino in South London. Be sure to follow DJ Miamor on her Twitch channel where she streams regularly.
1. What inspired you to become a DJ and how long have you been spinning?
I've been officially DJ’ing on Twitch for around 2 months but I've been practicing in my room for 2 years My uncle is a DJ (Flecs), so I've looked up to him from a young age: watching him mix - at first it looked a bit intimidating with so many buttons but once he started to teach me I knew it was something that I wanted to do whether it was a hobby or something to pursue full-time.
2. We really dig your R&B selection, but a lot of these tracks are older than you! Did you grow up listening to R&B?
Well my whole life has basically been surrounded by R&B, I grew up listening to it from each of my family members, who are all different so I had quite a variety of tastes that influenced me and my love for music today. I'd have my mum who would belt out the power ballads; my grandparents with the classics - especially the four seasons lol; my sisters obviously with the in my feelings R&B and my aunts and uncles with the typical old skool R&B as well. So I would say my music taste is very eclectic but R&B will always hold a special place for me.
3. Who are some of your favorite R&B artists?
That's always a tough question lol. I have love for soo many: you've got to love a bit of the current artists like Jhene Aiko, Kiana Lede, KAYTRANADA, Nao - you can tell I love my female artists. I also have to big up the more lowkey artists that don't get recognized enough - I try to listen to them more and move away from the commercial stuff. I like to play some of them on my stream just to put their work out there and show people what they're really missing haha - names like Bellah, NIKI, Snoh Alegra and Sinead Harnett. I also have to do my Old Skool justice and have to show my love for Janet Jackson and SWV especially - I think R&B wouldn't be what it is today without some of those influences. But to be honest, I love R&B not for the artists but more of the composition and how it makes me feel - I'm definitely more of a beat/melody person and like something depending on how the song makes me move. I can't wait to start learning how to produce myself!
4. How long have you been DJ'ing on Twitch? And what motivated you to start streaming on the platform?
I've been streaming for about 2 months, I'd only heard about the platform vaguely before I started but then I got familiar with the UK Filipino DJ community and heard that this was where everyone was streaming sets due to COVID. So I did my first stream (which wasn't actually on my channel but on DJ Flecs') and just loved the thrill of interaction from everyone and knew straight away I wanted to start up my own channel.
5. October is Filipino American History Month in the States. We're curious, what's it like being Filipino in the UK? Is there a large community out there?
To me, the culture of the Philippines already is so hospitable and loving so I think wherever we go we take this with us. In the UK our community is small but large at the same time - in London we're kind of scattered everywhere but everyone is connected to everyone: you either know someone or know OF someone, so it's a small but big world. I grew up in South London where there aren't many Fili's but we wouldn't be the Filipino community without the parties and big ass spread of food which I think is similar with you guys over in the US and communities internationally which is great.
6. The theme for UNDSCVRD X this season is Culture Connected. How does it feel to connect with other Filipinos (and music lovers) on Twitch?
It never stops growing! I like meeting new people in general so the Twitch community amplifies this even more - not just with Filipino's but with people who have the same interests and me and just straight vibes! At the start the SIN crew really made me feel welcome: it was like I had a whole bunch of titos handed to me just like that haha. But as I'm easing into it even more the networking of everyone makes it like one big huge family. The only downside to this is not interacting with everyone face-to-face: without Corona I'm sure that there would have been hundreds of events lined up for everyone to meet one another.
7. What's your favorite Filipino food?
Ugh IMPOSSIBLE question! That's like asking my mum who her favorite child is (obviously me) but not only was I raised with good music but I was raised to be a major foodie! It goes without saying that everyone grows up around the deliciousness of the Filipino cuisine but if I had to choose one dish it would be pork adobo/beef sinigang for mains and Leche Flan for Dessert. But coming from a 10 pound baby - put anything in front of me and I'll eat it.
8. If you could open a show for any artist who would it be?
Ella Mai. I went to watch her in concert last year and just think her stage presence is amazing. Also the fact that she's from South London too makes it even more destined! I started listening to her early in her career at the time of her initial EP's and watched her grow since then - I'm a big fan of her music and her journey, which inspires me to persevere through mine. And maybe I won't be opening for anyone, but perhaps even my own show lol. I would also love to open for H.E.R because she's also filipino plus she doesn't have one bad song and her voice is just!!! So it definitely would be those two.
9. Who do you admire most and why?
It may be the cliche answer but definitely my mum. I just admire how she could raise such a wonderful daughter like me. Joooke.
But in all seriousness, she's one of the strongest people I know and is definitely one of my inspirations - the fact that she could raise 3 daughters on her own, seemingly unfazed, really amazes me. I couldn't have asked for a better upbringing: I'm so grateful that she's not a typical, conventional mum because this is what has made the relationship between my sisters and her even more bonded. Also, throughout my whole twitch journey she's been so supportive (annoying slightly, jk) but is really investing into it as much as I am. BEST MOMAGER EVER.
10. Where can people catch you on Twitch and when do you stream?
I'm currently only streaming on Sundays at 6:30 GMT because of juggling school and everything (As I write this during my free period haha) but hope to have 2 regular slots coming soon. You can find me at dj.miamor on twitch and Instagram.
On a final note, I want to thank undiscovered and the whole crew - especially Marky for giving me the opportunity and inviting me to share my story!