Tasteful Techno: An Interview with Fatima Hajji

Fatima Hajji, the Spanish-Moroccan techno queen, is renowned for her unapologetically gritty and full-throttle performances. Her music, rooted in both analog and classical traditions, incorporates her deep African heritage while blending contemporary sounds, including techno-house. The result is a relentless groove that serves as the perfect medicine for a sweat-drenched night at one of the surging DJ's ruthless sets. If you’ve ever had the chance to see Fatima live, then you know her energy is electric, her mixing style eclectic, and her crowd control top-tier, with everyone’s heart rates and vibes shooting through the roof.

Fatima's journey into the world of techno began at a young age, with her passion for music evident from the start. By the age of 12, she was already experimenting with mixing tapes, laying the groundwork for what would become a lifelong career in music. Her early dedication led her to master vinyl mixing by 16, and by 18, she had moved from her hometown of Salamanca to Madrid, diving headfirst into music production. This move marked the beginning of a career that would see her rise to prominence not just in Spain but across the globe.

Her ability to connect with the crowd is unparalleled, and this was evident during one of her most unconventional gigs—a performance on a ship sailing down the Hudson River in New York City. "It felt like a dream to be raving among the buildings I had seen so many times in films," she recalls, describing how the experience, combined with her exhaustion from a previous gig in Belgium, created an almost surreal atmosphere. This event is just one example of the many riveting and remarkable performances that have defined her career.

Fatima Hajji’s sets are praised for their high energy and intensity. "My sets are very energetic—I always try to give my best, playing with the mixer and spreading maximum energy to the crowd," she says. She finds her sweet spot in sets that last between 90 minutes and two hours, where she can fully engage with the audience and build the energy that drives her performances. However, she also enjoys the challenge of extended sets, such as the All Night Long format, which allows her to delve deeper into her music collection and explore sounds that she doesn’t typically include in shorter sets.

Despite her commanding stage presence and technical prowess, Fatima is no stranger to the occasional mishap. One particularly memorable incident involved her tour manager accidentally stepping on a cable that powered the entire club, causing a momentary blackout. With her characteristic humor, she quips, "Of course, I killed him," showing her ability to handle the unexpected with grace and a bit of lightheartedness.

Living in Madrid, Fatima is immersed in a vivacious music scene that continues to inspire her. "It has loads of great clubs, amazing events, and the energy of the people is so crazy—in a good way," she shares. Madrid is not the only city that fuels her creativity; Amsterdam also ranks high on her list for its top-tier parties and high-quality production. These cities, with their rich musical cultures and emphasis on experience and production, provide the perfect backdrop for her ever-evolving sound. Fatima Hajji’s influence extends beyond the DJ booth.

She is also a prolific producer, with numerous tracks and EPs that have resonated with techno lovers around the world. Her productions are known for their depth and intensity, drawing on a wide range of influences while staying true to the core of what makes techno such a powerful genre. She has notched over a million streams, with her music skyrocketing through Beatport’s charts, making her a standout and a valuable addition to the techno industry and community.

Fatima unleashes a striking yet balanced track selection during her sets, delivering a primal performance that leaves a lasting impression and leaves the crowd wanting more. Internationally, she has played some of the most prestigious festivals, including Monegros, Awakenings, Airbeat One, SoundWaves, and many more.

Throughout her career, Fatima has accomplished a lot, including establishing her own record label and event brand, SILVER M, which embodies her personal vision of sound within the techno scene. Inspired by the symbology of the moon (M) and silver, SILVER M represents the power to stand out, the magic of brightness piercing through darkness, and the irresistible allure of the night, all driven by a burning passion to party. This brand has also thrown parties in iconic locations such as Amsterdam, Ibiza, and Barcelona, all spots that boast a stellar music scene.

As Fatima Hajji continues to tour the world, bringing her unique blend of cultural influences and relentless energy to every performance, she remains a staple in our beloved world of music. Whether she’s headlining a show or playing an intimate underground set, Fatima Hajji is always pushing the limits of her art, creating rabbit hole experiences for techno lovers everywhere.