How Yaya Turned a Backstage Meeting with Loco Dice into a Career

Yaya's Clubbing Days Started at 12

You Can Thank Yaya's Father for His Culturally Rich Sound

Get to Know Yaya With 5 Essential Tracks

Exploring Yaya's Tamango Records in 5 Tracks

, a dynamic figure whose unique sounds draws from the depths of his diverse heritage, Yaya has fused his African ethnic roots with his refined Italian sensibilities to create a unique sound.

Born and raised in Turin, Italy, Yaya's journey into music was destined from a young age. His home reverberated with the soul-stirring rhythms of his father, the leading vocalist and percussionist of the ensemble M’bamina. The enchanting beats were Yaya's introduction to music, igniting his inner sense of rhythm. Young 

 found his first musical expression through the drums, performing in venues throughout Turin.

Costa Rica

 matured, he made a decisive move in 2009, joining the formidable Desolat family, an international label known for supporting and promoting the most exciting electronic music talents. This association propelled him onto a bigger stage, allowing him to perform in the biggest hotspots of European electronic music. His exceptional DJ sets have graced the best clubs and festivals worldwide, connecting music lovers from all corners of the globe.

Yaya's creativity thrives in production as well, contributing to some of the most respected underground labels in the industry. His production work showcases his unique approach to electronic music, blending the traditional sounds of his upbringing with innovative beats.

In 2016, Yaya established his own imprint, Tamango Records. This label became a beacon for quality house music, nurturing the talents of artists like 

La Combinacion

 is not just a DJ, but also a skilled producer and the founder of a thriving label. His journey, from drumming in Turin to establishing his imprint and performing worldwide, highlights his dedication and talent in the realm of electronic music. If you're yet to discover Yaya's music, there's a world of rhythm waiting for you.

Italy

Yaya

Denmark

tech house

Manda Moor

France

french tech house

Sirus Hood

United States

Gabriel Torres

Angie Ocampo

Mood Child

Gray Area's new venture, "Debut," aims to bridge the international house music community by bringing established and emerging artists to cities they've never performed in. This initiative seeks to expand artists' fan bases and provide fans with fresh, exhilarating musical experiences. Having played a role in introducing major artists and brands like elrow and Awakenings to new audiences in the past, Gray Area believes in the magic of first-time experiences. By promoting artists in new venues and cities, they hope to cultivate a thriving, unified house music ecosystem. Debut is not merely a marketing strategy but embodies Gray Area's commitment to fostering collaboration, unity, and musical discovery.

Debut

The Roof at Superior Ingredients

Debut: Mood Child NYC w. Manda Moor, Sirus Hood, Yaya & More

Spain

spanish techno

Anna Tur

afro house

funky tech house

tribal house

DJ Chus

Netherlands

circuit

dutch tech house

house

Franky Rizardo

United Kingdom

uk tech house

Mason Collective

nyc club

QRTR

South Africa

THEMBA

bass house

Westend

OCHO Episode 6

The Fellas

Tara Brooks

Sleepy & Boo

Yaya w. The Fellas, Tara Brooks, Sleepy & Boo

Jasper Fioole

Cristina Lazic

Luna Mar

FLOW

Superior Ingredients

Franky Rizardo presents FLOW

Iglesias

Late Replies

Tamango Records

PRYSM

Tamango Records Chicago: Yaya + Iglesias + Late Replies

dark techno

italian techno

Marco Faraone

Manu Gonzalez

deep disco house

Richy Ahmed

Seb Zito

SYREETA

Cova Santa

Do Not Sleep

minimal techno

techno

Marco Carola

Ilario Alicante

deep tech house

latin tech house

Cuartero

Pacha Ibiza

Music On Week 6

Music On

Lauren Lo Sung

Chellzz

AKA PK

Palazzo

Ecuador

Mr.Diamond

BLUE

Blue w. Lauren Lo Sung, Cuartero, Cristina Lazic, Yaya and more

AYYBO

Deeper Purpose

HVNLEE

Jeff Sorkowitz

Joshwa

Mason Maynard

Germany

Melanie Ribbe

Mikey Lion

Oden & Fatzo

Croatia

San Pacho

Toni Varga

Arielle Free

elrow

The Brooklyn Mirage

elrow New York Open Air: Summer Festival - Rowmuda Triangle!

Luuk van Dijk

Debut: Tamango Records Showcase w. Yaya + Manda Moor & Luuk Van Dijk

czsk viral pop

Misha

Tamango New York w. Yaya and Guests

german techno

Loco Dice

Kayper

Daizy

Joseph Capriati

Matt Martinez

Türkiye

turkish pop

Bora Uzer

Romania

rominimal

Rhadoo

progressive house

uk dance

CamelPhat

chicago house

deep house

Derrick Carter

bristol electronic

classic progressive house

Nick Warren

Growing up in the northern Italian city of Turin, Yassin Ligali Ali (also known as 

) is one of the brightest names in the world of minimal techno, afro house, and deep tech house. He began DJing at 17 and was soon discovered by legend 

 who signed one of Yaya’s first records.

Coming up in a city rich with electronic culture would have been enough for most people to find a passion in the industry. Yaya, however, received a double dose, with his father playing a massive role in his musical upbringing.

“From my father, I learned so much about passion, rhythm, and grooves from his African heritage…My father was the lead singer of a group called 

. They were playing afro funk and afrobeat music… From when I was young, there were so many friends of my father at home, they were always around playing music, listening to vinyl. The house was always full of records and when I was super young there was just always music around me. It helped me a lot to discover an identity around music. I still have so many records from my father that inspire me today.”

When Yaya was 12, he started attending a club near his house in Turin every Monday afternoon. It was a techno/house party and love at first sight (or listen) for Yaya. Five years later, he began DJing and immediately spent summer after summer in the electronic Meca, Ibiza. The island has shaped and created many careers over the years, and Yaya’s experience was no different. There was a record store near his house and a plethora of clubs that helped him discover a breadth of music.

“I started producing music when I was 18 years old. My breakthrough was the record ‘Vecute’ in 2009. That was my first release on a bigger label. During that time period I was in Ibiza, I had a few CDs with my name and number on it, I went to 

. I gave Dice my music and he called me a few weeks later asking if he could release the tracks on his label. We went back and forth a bit and then eventually met up in person and began to work together. This was in 2008 and the record came out in 2009.”

Yaya returned to Ibiza for the next 14 seasons in a row. They were some of the best years of his life and it was a time he looks back upon fondly. Although he is by no means done with the island, as his profile has risen, he can no longer spend the entire season navigating the many pleasures of the island.

About seven years into his dance music journey, as his career and standing in the industry began to ascend, Yaya decided to found a label. 

 isn’t just a home for his stunning dancefloor heaters. It’s a tastemaker in deep tech and minimal boasting releases from Luuk Van Dijk, 

“I started the label in 2016. I was wanting to start a label for a while but had to wait for the right moment. I began to collect my music, holding it back. I started to produce music just with the intention of releasing it on my label. I was also working on the team, you cannot just open a label by yourself. At the beginning the label was only vinyl but I began to release it on digital as well in order to maintain the consistent output.”

13k EP

Being a label owner introduced new, unique challenges. As the lead curator for his label, he must consistently choose the right music. Although it sounds obvious, it’s not easy. He constantly receives unreleased music, and often finds himself playing out a track repeatedly, falling in love with it only to realize that just because it works in his sets, it doesn’t mean it works on his label.

Despite the personal responsibility he feels, Tamango has always been a team effort. Yaya relies on his team to help him stay true to the sound while creating unique vinyl and promo efforts. For Yaya, Tamango is about aligning with his sound, which ultimately is focused on creating happiness.

“When I play, I like to see people happy. I watch their faces and when they’re happy, I’m happy. My sound is about creating happiness.”

As Yaya has found himself living his dream life, he sometimes needs to step back and reflect on all he has accomplished.

“When you have goals and they start to come to fruition, it’s an incredible experience. I wanted to play all over the world, and I am. I wanted to start a label and I did it. This year I wanted to focus on building out events around the label. We did a tour around Tamango in South America and we are trying to continue to build off that momentum.”

Growing up in the northern Italian city of Turin, Yassin Ligali Ali (also known as Yaya) is one of the brightest names in the world of minimal techno, afro house, and deep tech house. He began DJing at 17 and was soon discovered by legend Loco Dice who signed one of Yaya’s first records.




Coming up in a city rich with electronic culture would have been enough for most people to find a passion in the industry. Yaya, however, received a double dose, with his father playing a massive role in his musical upbringing.




“From my father, I learned so much about passion, rhythm, and grooves from his African heritage…My father was the lead singer of a group called M’Bamina. They were playing afro funk and afrobeat music… From when I was young, there were so many friends of my father at home, they were always around playing music, listening to vinyl. The house was always full of records and when I was super young there was just always music around me. It helped me a lot to discover an identity around music. I still have so many records from my father that inspire me today.”




When Yaya was 12, he started attending a club near his house in Turin every Monday afternoon. It was a techno/house party and love at first sight (or listen) for Yaya. Five years later, he began DJing and immediately spent summer after summer in the electronic Meca, Ibiza. The island has shaped and created many careers over the years, and Yaya’s experience was no different. There was a record store near his house and a plethora of clubs that helped him discover a breadth of music.









“I started producing music when I was 18 years old. My breakthrough was the record ‘Vecute’ in 2009. That was my first release on a bigger label. During that time period I was in Ibiza, I had a few CDs with my name and number on it, I went to Amnesia to see Loco Dice and Marco Carola. I gave Dice my music and he called me a few weeks later asking if he could release the tracks on his label. We went back and forth a bit and then eventually met up in person and began to work together. This was in 2008 and the record came out in 2009.”









Yaya returned to Ibiza for the next 14 seasons in a row. They were some of the best years of his life and it was a time he looks back upon fondly. Although he is by no means done with the island, as his profile has risen, he can no longer spend the entire season navigating the many pleasures of the island.




About seven years into his dance music journey, as his career and standing in the industry began to ascend, Yaya decided to found a label. Tamango Records isn’t just a home for his stunning dancefloor heaters. It’s a tastemaker in deep tech and minimal boasting releases from Luuk Van Dijk, Fleur Shore, Mason Collective, and Manda Moor.




“I started the label in 2016. I was wanting to start a label for a while but had to wait for the right moment. I began to collect my music, holding it back. I started to produce music just with the intention of releasing it on my label. I was also working on the team, you cannot just open a label by yourself. At the beginning the label was only vinyl but I began to release it on digital as well in order to maintain the consistent output.”









Being a label owner introduced new, unique challenges. As the lead curator for his label, he must consistently choose the right music. Although it sounds obvious, it’s not easy. He constantly receives unreleased music, and often finds himself playing out a track repeatedly, falling in love with it only to realize that just because it works in his sets, it doesn’t mean it works on his label.




Despite the personal responsibility he feels, Tamango has always been a team effort. Yaya relies on his team to help him stay true to the sound while creating unique vinyl and promo efforts. For Yaya, Tamango is about aligning with his sound, which ultimately is focused on creating happiness.









“When I play, I like to see people happy. I watch their faces and when they’re happy, I’m happy. My sound is about creating happiness.”




As Yaya has found himself living his dream life, he sometimes needs to step back and reflect on all he has accomplished.




“When you have goals and they start to come to fruition, it’s an incredible experience. I wanted to play all over the world, and I am. I wanted to start a label and I did it. This year I wanted to focus on building out events around the label. We did a tour around Tamango in South America and we are trying to continue to build off that momentum.”

Yaya

Articles

Other artists