What is your real name?
My real name is Edivaldo, so friends call me Edy. The muchiila (a misspelled word for “backpack”) part of my artist name came out at the birthday of some foreigners. I went to enjoy a party and I was also supposed to DJ, but they didn't know, because I had been invited by someone else. When I arrived, there was already another DJ playing, and it looked like the DJ was not pleasing the party much.
I was waiting for my turn to play, and I was always carrying around my backpack. People started thinking I was taking drinks and putting them in my bag. When it was time for me to play, I open the backpack, took out the computer, turned it on and started putting my sounds on. It seemed like my way of playing touched their hearts. All of a suddent, they stopped the music and asked me: "Boy, what's your name?”.
I was scared, I thought they didn't like the way I was playing and they were going to take me out of the party, but replied calmly that my stage name was EDY MIX, and they said that from that day onward my name would be Edy Muchila.
It's good when people give you a stage name. I liked the name EDY Muchila and I use it to this day.
What are the obstacles you face knowing that there is a lot of competition in the DJ world?
I don't care much about the competition. For example, I don't go to a party to compete with other DJs, I go to play for the people. I stay humble and I continue to be a DJ for the people and not for the career.
And what is your goal as a DJ?
In fact, I want to be like DJ David Guetta: I want to be a big, famous DJ. That's what I want to be someday. But we don’t know on what will happen in the future.
As a DJ, what styles of music do you like to play more?
To be honest, the style of music that I like but play, is antillian music, as well as semba, kizomba and other music styles from the older times, but I fit in with any style of music.
Are you from Benguela and have you always lived in Benguela?
Yes, I’m from Benguela. I was born here and I will die here.
Are you “simply” a DJ or do you do something else too?
Before I was a DJ I used to rap, but as I saw that the life of a musician was complicated, I found a new vibe: to be a DJ… so I became one. In fact, my dream of being a DJ comes from a young age. When I was a kid I used to make noise with the cans although I didn’t think much of it. Now I have a name, I'm really a DJ and I intend to continue on this path.
How do you feel when you are playing and people don’t welcome your music?
I feel bad, but I can’t keep those feelings for long because I'm the DJ, and if the people are not enjoying it, I have to find a way to fit in with them. The party belongs to the people. I have to keep playing, and change the styles of music. The DJ cannot stop playing because people are not dancing, he has to find the way people like it.
Why do you support the work of Ego do Tchan?
I support Ego do Tchan’s work because I really like his music and I'm his fan.
In addition, I have to say that - with him and our other colleagues, I found a family. When I started in the DJ world I wasn’t much, but I know that having met them made me grow up a lot. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't be on the level I am today, that's why I say that if today I'm here it is thanks to them.
Don't you think there is a lack of female DJs?
To be honest here in Benguela there is a lack of women DJs, yes. In Luanda there are many and they play very well, like Elli Chuva, Dimas Dimas, DJ Marleny de Troy… there are many DJs in Luanda, and I would like to work with a woman DJ here in Benguela.
And what advice would you give to a young man who wants to be a DJ?
I always give three pieces of advice: be humble, respectful, and play for the people.