Telekom Electronic Beats

TAYHANA’s Pride Month Mix Showcases the Power of the Queer Mexican Underground

An ode to the community from the NAAFI affiliate.

As Pride Month comes to a close, Mexico-City based DJ and producer TAYHANA steps out with a new mix of saucy house and hyper-charged rave queerness.

A vital part of the LBGTQ+ scene in Latin America, the Argentinian-born producer’s debut album Tierra del Fuego on NAAFI fuses cumbia, dembow and reggaeton with next-gen rave sounds. Just two weeks ago, she dropped Desamor de Primavera, a new EP on her own Encuentros Furtivos imprint. Produced in collaboration with Desdel Barro and Braian, the release is characterized by infectious polyrhythms that erupt around anthemic melodies, capturing the free-spirited sound of Mexico City’s club scene.

Aside from her own productions, she’s collaborated with like-minded spirits like Uruguayan producer Lechuga Zafiro, fellow HiedraH Club de Baile member Aggromance, and Egyptian-Iraniah artist Lafawndah. And a DJ, she plays in extremes, guiding crowds from the lurching swing of cumbia up into the breakneck speeds of rave and hardstyle. Given this track record, you best believe TAYHANA will be front and center once the rave returns.

In lieu of a steamy IRL Pride rave, TAYHANA has whipped up a mix that moves through irreverent selections, bouncing from Latin house to club and hard dance. It’s an hour of pure dance floor catharsis—and not one for the faint of heart. Titled “Real LATINX JOTX VICIOSA PRIDE 2020,” (Jotx, TAYHANA explains, is slang for the LGBTQ+ community in México), it takes us on a journey through the sounds of Latin America’s vivacious queer community.

Strap in above.

Cover Mix Artwork by Ekaterina Kachavina.

Published June 30, 2020. Words by Caroline Whiteley.