DJ And Producer Noizay Takes Us On A Bumper Musical Trip To His Childhood

At some point, Atlanta-born Xavier Frone became DJ and producer, Noizay. “It was when I was making music at home, I’d turn the beats up LOUD. That way I could feel them better – like I was in a studio. That annoyed my mom. She would always shout: ‘Turn that noise down Zay!’ I heard that so many times. So, I decided to embrace it. And that’s when ‘NoiZay’ was born…”

Đọc bài viết bằng Tiếng Việt

These days, Xavier, or DJ Noizay as he’s better known, plays in some diverse locations. To say the least. There’s Piu Piu and Irusu. And there’s weekly sessions at Wink Hotels and weekend sessions at Hustle Gym – where he drops DJ sets to work out to. There’s the 7 Bridges Brewing Co. Saigon Taproom and dive bars like TnR. “My number one goal was to play outside of Saigon. I did that DJing the super cool Wink Hotel Danang Centre opening party, where I also got to play backing tracks for Vu Thanh Van.”

There were other one-off shows like the United States Marines Ball. “I was surrounded by more Americans than I’ve seen since I’ve been here! And they knew the words to every track,” Noizay remembers. And a night at TnR Tavern. “Man, everyone went apeshit! And I got to play back-to-back with my friend, DJ ‘Chocolate Thunder’ – the person who inspired me to DJ again.”

Noizay has his brother, Maguzzii, to thank for all this. Before relocating back to the States, as an emcee and rapper based in Saigon, Maguzzii built lasting friendships in the local hip hop community. “Since I produce, he suggested I come over, and work with artists here. And it’s the best decision I could have made.”

“Inevitably, bigger venues have to feed their guests what they know musically. But that lets the underground scene thrive – places and parties like Piu Piu, Nhac Gay, The A Collective – a group of black creatives that I’m a part of that’s bringing Afro and UK vibes,” Noizay muses. “And people like Larria are so good. I’ll love that kid till the end. Levi Oi is killing it. Minh Lai is fire. There’s Devilman TYO. And 95G too. Sea Chains is lit. And I want Kimmese to come back so bad – she’s dope.”

All this makes Noizay eminently qualified to drop the latest guest mix for The Dot Magazine, inspired by his memories growing up, like when his mom was shouting for him to turn the volume down. “It’s a coming-of-age mix,” Noizay nods, “with some of my current inspirations – I pictured me in a Mercedes G63 picking up my girlfriend when I put it together!”

Which of your own productions would you play to someone to introduce yourself?

NoizayBeats’ ‘Yellow Line.’ Producing is like my secret cheat code. Since I can count bars and beats, but pick up on drums and other sounds, I can take from one song and add it to another – kind of like a live mashup on the spot. Producing gave me that ear. 

What’s the first song you remember making an impression on you?

Master P’s ‘Make ‘Em Say.’ The song just has so much energy. It’s f*cking reckless and flexy! There’s those horns and that weird piano sound. Then he tops it off with the most outrageous gangster sh*t. I remember trying to convince my dad to buy me the album – Master P’s ‘T.R.U’ – and he said he would, on the condition that he could listen to it first. Let’s just say I never got the album…

Which song helps you get hyped-up for the day? And which song helps you sleep at night?

For the former, Kanye West’s ‘Illest MF Alive.’ And for the latter, Sade’s ‘Cherish The Day.’

What do you secretly listen to when no one’s around?

Glitter pop! Haha. Like Japanese girl bands and sh*t. It’s hella glittery. And it’s hella flashy. And their voices sound like I’m in an animated toy world where the sky’s the limit. Plus, you can get trẻ trâu to that sh*t.  Everyone knows I’m trẻ trâu certified. 

Besides that, I have to also mention death metal…

You’re stranded on a desert island, and you can only take one album with you. Which is it and why?

Kanye’s ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.’ I don’t know man, that album changed my entire perspective on music. Kanye is crazy in the best way. I was going through some stuff when that came out. And it motivated me to shoot for the stars. 

Which song would you play at your wedding? And which one would you like played at your funeral?

At my wedding, Spice Girls’ ‘Two Become One.’ And at my funeral, the Watch The Throne’s track ‘H.A.M.’ – and put the crazy part at the end on repeat, please.

Finally, what mood should this mix put us in?

I hope it empowers you. And that it makes you feel 10-feet tall. 

Photos for The Dot Magazine by Nghia Ngo