Mizeyesis: A Life in Jungle and Drum & Bass

Mizeyesis: A Life in Jungle and Drum & Bass

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If you are a junglist living within the continental United States and you have not heard of Mizeyesis, let me help you correct that. A jungle and drum and bass DJ since 2004, she is a co-founder of the North American female DnB DJ collective DNB Girls, a producer since 2015, and soon, a label owner as well.

A born New Yorker, Mizeyesis began her electronic music journey during her high school years in the 1990s—a pivotal era when the raw, ragga-influenced jungle sound began evolving into the cleaner, more technically refined style we now call drum and bass. The Northeast at that time was a critical epicenter for emerging electronic subgenres, and she was right in the middle of it.

Taking full advantage of the region’s explosion of rave culture, Mizeyesis immersed herself in the scene. Connecticut offered events at The Municipal Café, Velvet, and Insomnia, while New York City was the hotbed. She attended legendary nights at Shelter, CBGB’s, Wetlands, Tunnel, Limelight, Twilo, and Sound Factory, along with making trips to Asylum in Springfield, Massachusetts. These weren’t just parties—they were foundational experiences that shaped her musical identity.

From Dance to the Decks

Mizeyesis eventually moved from NYC to Connecticut, where she attended the Hartford Conservatory for Dance Performance before continuing her training at The Ailey School (then known as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center). Interestingly, she studied there alongside fellow bass music powerhouse Anna Morgan.

In 2001, she stepped away from dance after becoming disillusioned with her progress while dealing with multiple injuries. That moment—combined with a couple of deeply personal breakups—became a turning point.

By 2002, after her second breakup, she found solace in jungle and drum and bass. She walked into Hartford’s Spiritual Emporium, bought five records, then picked up two Technics turntables and a RadioShack mixer. What followed was three months of intense focus learning to beatmatch.

Even then, she took her time stepping out publicly. The scene—especially online message boards—could be ruthless, and she didn’t want to be torn apart before she was ready. After two years of honing her craft, she finally debuted at a night at the Municipal Café for a rave called 100% High Octane as well as a night she cofounded with friends: Threshold Sound.

Stepping Into Production

For years, Mizeyesis remained focused on DJing. She watched from the sidelines as her peers produced tracks, often using programs like Acid Pro, fascinated but not yet ready to dive in herself.

That changed after she began receiving international bookings in 2011. A major turning point came in 2013, when Mantra booked her for Rupture LDN in the UK. During that trip, Mantra and Double O sat her down and encouraged her to level up. The conversation stuck.

When she returned to the East Coast, she threw herself into learning production—spending a week deep in YouTube tutorials (powered by Yerba Mate) and connecting with friends like Tristan Antidote (RIP) and Skru for guidance. Within a few months, she had created a number of tracks and uploaded them to SoundCloud.

Realizing that some early work relied on uncleared samples, she made the decision to refine her approach. That shift led to her first official release: the Sea Jah EP with Skru on Hexagon Digital in 2015.

Collaboration, Mentorship, and Growth

That same year, she met AwakeFM at a show, bonding over shared influences—metal, punk, and drum and bass. Their collaboration resulted in the Convergence EP on Omni Music, a project she still holds close.

She credits AwakeFM as a major influence, describing him as a musical genius who helped expand her technical and creative understanding.

The EP also caught the attention of Patrick Currier, who was running Faction Digital Recordings at the time. He invited her to release on the label, and in 2017 she delivered a self-produced project that exceeded expectations. Currier went on to become another important mentor in her journey.

Back to School and Leveling Up

Today, Mizeyesis is further sharpening her craft at Berklee College of Music, studying electronic music production and sound design. Balancing school, work, and gigs hasn’t been easy, but she describes the experience as both challenging and exhilarating.

Even with prior experience in Ableton, her DAW of choice, she’s gaining a deeper understanding of production—especially when it comes to articulating her creative process and refining her technical skills.

DNB Girls and Industry Advocacy

Beyond her individual work, Mizeyesis is co-founder and co-owner of DNB Girls alongside Jams, who leads the Canadian side while Mizeyesis heads operations in the U.S.

Their mission is clear: push for equity in a scene that has historically been male-dominated. While progress has been made, there’s still work to do. Through takeovers, compilations like the XII release from April 2025, and collaborations with agencies and production companies, they aim to elevate their members as the major players they already are.

Words to Live By

Given her decades in the scene—as a raver, promoter, DJ, producer, and now label head—Mizeyesis has earned her perspective. When asked about the best advice she’s received, she shared a few key points:

• Enjoy yourself. Always.

• Ignore non-constructive criticism, especially from local scenes.

• Women should network and support each other—it’s necessary.

• And finally:

  
  

  “Be careful with your beats and your hearts.”

  
  

Looking Ahead

2026 is already shaping up to be a major year. Mizeyesis has been featured in Sense Media’s Blind Test alongside heavyweights like Kyrist, Makoto, Reid Speed, Fracture, and Jubei.

With new releases lined up across multiple labels, she’s also preparing to launch her own imprint—one that will focus on sound system culture and the deeper, more technical sides of jungle, drum and bass, and bass music.

She’s also looking to expand her booking schedule—so if you’re trying to bring serious energy to your city, she’s ready to step up. For bookings, contact her through CyberGroove Agency.

Persistence Through It All

For Mizeyesis, drum and bass has been both a refuge and a battleground. Racism, sexism, and misogyny remain real issues in the scene, and she has faced her share—along with stalking, harassment, and deeply personal challenges.

But through it all, she’s endured.

She’s taken everything she’s been through, learned from it, and come out stronger—more evolved than the people who tried to hold her back. She’s been here since near the beginning, and one thing is clear:

She’s not going anywhere.

Big up, Tally G