Reversing the tide: Femme Bass Mafia's impact on a predominantly male DJ industry's structure

In the heart of Berlin, a collective named Femme Bass Mafia is making waves in the dance music scene. Founded in 2020 by Dutch DJ and music producer Lilia van Beukering, who goes by Dangermami behind the decks, the collective aims to prove that the dance floor truly belongs to everyone, not just white cis men.

Van Beukering started practising DJing alone at home due to a lack of community and kindred spirits. Recognising the discomfort felt by women yearning to DJ in all-male settings, especially during the pandemic lockdown, she decided to take action. Femme Bass Mafia was born on social media, immediately resonating with many, leading to an outpouring of support and offers of mentorship from artists like New Zealand-born Berlin-based DJ Fuckoff.

The collective's mission is to shun competition and ego in the DJ sphere and foster solidarity instead. It has expanded its scope to include a music production training program in collaboration with Ableton. The mentoring program offers a six-month journey, welcoming six participants each round, with no prior experience required but a preference for bass music and a willingness to be fully committed.

Seasoned mentors offer technical expertise, insights on track curation, and discuss social media promotion in biweekly sessions. Workshops aim to provide a safer space for participants to amplify their sonic talent and creativity with confidence. After graduation, most participants continue to receive support from the collective, with gig opportunities being redistributed among members if someone can't make it.

Approximately four out of six graduates tend to pursue DJing more consistently, with some even leaving their day jobs behind to pursue DJing full-time. Katia Fisenko, a proud member of the second Femme Bass Mafia cohort, shares that the mentoring program was a life-changing experience for her.

Femme Bass Mafia is part of a larger movement in Berlin's club culture, where conversations about diversity and inclusivity have become more public and passionate. However, despite efforts to promote diversity, the bass scene in the UK remains predominantly male-dominated, making it challenging for new artists to break into the market.

Van Beukering has ambitious plans to establish a dedicated community space for skill development and networking. She envisions branches of Femme Bass Mafia in cities like Barcelona, Paris, or the Netherlands. The collective is working towards a future where the dance floor truly belongs to everyone, and everyone has the opportunity to shine.

Reversing the tide: Femme Bass Mafia's impact on a predominantly male DJ industry's structure