An interview taken from our new issue THE CLASS OF 2025! We had the pleasure of connecting with Femme Bass Mafia (FBM), a vibrant music collective based in Berlin, as they gear up to celebrate their fourth anniversary. This milestone is not only a reflection of their growth but also coincides with an exciting EU tour, marking another chapter in their impactful journey. Since its inception in 2019, FBM has been at the helm of cultivating safer and more inclusive spaces for women, trans, and non-binary individuals, fostering their growth in the DJing and music production realms within the electronic music landscape.
Founded by a dedicated ensemble of music enthusiasts from Berlin—including influencers like Dangermami, MSJY, LUZ1E, and Marie Midori—Femme Bass Mafia emerged with a well-defined mission: to enhance the accessibility of the electronic music industry for FLINTA (Women, Lesbian, Intersex, Non-Binary, Trans, and Agender) and BIPOC communities. Since its creation, FBM has blossomed into a vital platform, contributing significantly to an inclusive and diverse music culture within Berlin and extending its influence across borders.
The initiative goes beyond mere representation. Through a dynamic array of workshops, mentorship programs, electrifying club nights, and vibrant community events, Femme Bass Mafia has empowered countless aspiring artists. The collective provides essential skills and cultivates confidence, encouraging many to navigate and thrive in the electronic music industry.
Can you share the journey of Femme Bass Mafia from its inception in 2019 to now, and how it has evolved over the past four years?
The idea of the project came during the first lockdown in 2020 through Lilia (Dangermami) and was born out of frustration not having a group of other femmes to practice DJing with, the lack of FLINTA people in bass music behind the decks and on the dancefloor, and to always hear the same sounds in Berliner clubs! Lilia was already working in the music industry, and kept on seeing the same artists all over again without having lots of FLINTA references to look up to or to share this passion with. While club spaces were empty the idea to start a small practice group and involve other femme DJs in Berlin emanated and about 6 months later in November 2020 she launched Femme Bass Mafia online with a few slides taken from the projects’ Manifesto, thanks to her friend Neale Johnston who created a visual identity from scratch and who is still working with us to this day.
The draft of a program started to form, and the intention was always to create a long-term project with a solid foundation! The energy was so fresh that there was nothing else to do. While she was scouting for people to join the project and chatting to those who reached out. Very quickly Luz1e, Marie Midori, MSJY, DJ Fuckoff, and later on Monibi & jpeg.love was interested in hosting DJ workshops and the ball kept on rolling. Lilia launched a first open call for applications for a 3 month program with weekly practice sessions, with different mentors for each session. As clubs were closed, we had the chance to practice at some of them, and we had our first generation of mentees right there.
After a hyperactive start, FBM landed its first funding by Musicboard and transformed the 3 month program into a 6 month long one, with more in depth classes, allowing for steady progression. In total, since 2020, we have run 5 DJ mentoring programs of 6 people each. At the end of those, a club gig (graduation party) was held where all the mentees would play their first gig, as well as a radio takeover on Refuge Worldwide where every mentee could present their work. We used to also organise streams on different platforms, providing great visibility for the mentees, and for the project.
Shortly after starting FBM and once the lockdown lifted, requests for showcases and bookings started to come in, but this was initially not a part of the plan nor the focus, but we figured these opportunities only help spread our work and help our crew land more shows and gain experience. This is how in 2022 we started to curate and promote the Plasma nights at RSO, which are focused on bass music and through us it became a focus on FLINTA talent from our community but also allowed inviting some of our idols!
Realising that we had a lot of different activity streams which needed attention, Lilia onboarded Luzie and Marie to join her on the organisational side of things, which formed a core team where every member was responsible of one area of the project – soon joined by Jenny as in 2023, a new branch of the project developed, where we focused on music production in partnership with Ableton, a project that she still grows and runs this year.
As it stands today, Jenny and Lilia are the core team with support from Luzie and Marie in some areas. We adjust when we need to depending on everyone’s capacities and whatever is going on in our lives, the goal is for things to stay fun as it’s not our full time job. There has been lots of learning by doing, the team has grown and evolved together and led the project to where it is now!
What have been some of the most impactful workshops or events you’ve hosted, and how have they contributed to the goals of Femme Bass Mafia?
It’s hard to name one! The impact of our work has been simmering over the years and we only took conscience of it until quite recently. We will say that our graduation parties hold a special place in our hearts, it’s always a time where all the mentees come together, play their first sets in a club, surrounded by their friends and support from the crew. There have been lots of smiles and tears during those, and where the mentors would stand in a corner, realise what is happening and stand proud with the mentees. The period before those nights is always intense as there is a lot of practice, questions, and preparation involved, so to see all the work come to life after 6 months together is truly special.
We also just hosted a night at a listening bar, Kwia, where we had lots of different alumni from all generations play, and it was really beautiful to see our community reunite in a literal cuddle puddle. The best reward after spending half a year with smaller groups learning and bonding over music is to see those strong bonds & friendships form, and for us to know that we played a role in this. It was a very eye opening moment to see the joy of being together and put the accent on the community aspect of FBM – we think this was a wonderful moment during this 4 Year Tour to realise why running the project the past years was so worth it.
In a way, we realised that we contributed to creating better, safer, spaces for people to evolve in this industry and show that they don’t have to do it on their own, and that was also one of the goals of the project since its inception. For us as mentors, it also solidified a base we had in the scene and allowed us to share experiences as FLINTA artists and learn from some situations together. The bonds after relating to many instances together automatically grow stronger and we hope it spreads a message amongst our colleagues to act with care and kindness.
Can you explain the concept of “adelphity” and how it guides the collective’s approach to fostering community and collaboration?
We believe in creating a supportive and nurturing environment where everyone feels like they’re part of the crew. It’s about building a space that feels like a safety net, where we can all lean on each other. This sense of community is really important to us, and we think many people in the scene truly feel it too.
There’s a term in France, Liberté, égalité, adelphité, which replaces ‘fraternity’ with adelphité — a concept that has gained popularity among feminist activists. Essentially, it means siblinghood without gender distinctions, and that’s the kind of inclusive spirit we aim to cultivate.
When people first start out as DJs or join the scene, it’s common to feel a range of emotions, everything from self-doubt to comparison, and sometimes even competition. But we really want to move away from that. We try to foster an environment where it’s okay to make mistakes, where people are encouraged to support one another, and where collaboration is prioritized over competition. In our view, sharing music wouldn’t feel nearly as meaningful if we weren’t surrounded by a community that is cheering each other on.
Through our programs, we actively encourage mentees to collaborate – whether it’s practicing together, doing back-to-backs, or sharing music. In a scene that still has a lot of inequalities, we want to remind everyone that there is space for all of us to shine and we try to reinforce that message throughout the programs.
photo by © Vanda PetrellaHow does Femme Bass Mafia select its mentors, and what qualities do you look for in them to support your mission?
It’s mostly been the same team since the beginning, which we think translates into a healthy environment of feedback and evolution, and we’ve all grown into our mentoring roles together over time. We quickly noticed who preferred doing what and kind of wrote the education program based on the mentor’s strength. Should it be Monibi’s ‘Know Your Tech’ workshop, MSJY’s Ableton skills, Dangermami’s DJ Profile Management one. But a big part of what’s kept us aligned is making sure everyone’s heart is in the right place. We all genuinely love the feeling of bringing people together through bass music – it’s such a rewarding experience.
At the core of what we do is not just sharing knowledge, but offering the kind of support we wish we’d had when we first started out. For a lot of us, we’re looking for something deeper within the music scene, something beyond just the act of DJing itself. It’s about creating a space where being part of the scene is an exchange, where we support each other, and where we’re all working together to build something meaningful. There’s the idea that being part of the scene is a responsibility, and that real growth happens when we lift each other up.
What are some challenges you’ve faced in promoting diversity and inclusion within the electronic music scene, and how has Femme Bass Mafia addressed them?
A few things come to mind but those are also experiences that – unfortunately – a lot of us had to live as an introduction to the scene. When trying to dismantle a scene that’s been built on the wrong base it is quite a tedious job to get the key players out of their comfort zone and make them see another (more equal) reality.
This translates into gatekeeping of resources or network, or the unwillingness to cooperate without putting some ridiculous conditions on our collaboration. We had it that a venue in Berlin wanted our DJs to send in a mix before the gig to see if they would fit the space with the sound, all while the mission of FBM was clearly focused on all things bass.
Obviously the tokenism and some random bookings with dire conditions just to have a FLINTA person on the lineup, or to be associated with FBM in some way. This also goes to working with brands, which we have done and it didn’t always go as planned, but over time we learned what to look out for and to set our expectations with the partner from the get go.
We’ve noticed fees would differ and smaller budgets would be given to us compared to our non FLINTA colleagues, or a different treatment during gigs.
With time we found our groove though and attracted a vast range of truly amazing people we work with, with fair conditions and professionality.
How do you measure the success of your mentorship programs and workshops in empowering participants?
We don’t really measure success by whether our mentees go on to pursue a career in music—that’s not our expectation. What we try to focus on is facilitating access and creating opportunities for them to explore the scene. We believe that success is a very personal thing, and it looks different for everyone.
The highs and the lows are both part of the learning process, and that’s true for us as organizers too. Each cycle has taught us something new, and those lessons are an essential part of what makes the program grow.
One of the key ways we measure success is by seeing if the participants stay in touch and continue to support one another after the program ends. When they do, it tells us we’ve created an environment where they feel inspired, connected, and empowered enough to keep that sense of community alive. To us, that’s the best sign that we’ve somewhat positively impacted them.
Can you discuss the significance of the upcoming EU tour and what it means for the collective as you celebrate your anniversary?
The ongoing EU tour is hugely significant for us, especially as we celebrate our anniversary. The mix of educational events and club nights really embodies the essence of why this project was born in the first place. It’s about creating opportunities for learning, but also about celebrating the power of music and community.
One of the biggest milestones for us is the chance to connect with people outside of Berlin. Coming together with different communities across Europe feels like a major achievement. It’s not just about gigging; it’s about sharing music with our members, locals, and guests in a way that strengthens the bonds we’ve built.
FBM on tour is our way of saying, “We’re taking space.” It’s a powerful message—both to ourselves and to the world—that what we’re doing matters to more people than we can reach through our mentoring programs alone. There’s a real need in the scene for spaces where everyone can be heard and seen, and this tour is a confirmation of that need. We’re doing our best carving out that space, and we’re proud to be doing it.
How do you envision the future of Femme Bass Mafia and its role within the broader electronic music culture?
In an ideal future, we see Femme Bass Mafia continuing to be an educational platform at the heart of our mission. We want to remain a community hub—a safer, welcoming resource for both our alumni and new faces to come together, share, and grow.
A key part of our vision is advocating for access to music education for all marginalized groups. We’re also committed to dismantling the inequalities that still exist within the scene. Ideally, the impact of FBM will be reflected in lineups and beyond, where our presence and influence create more opportunities for our community to thrive, and for the conversations to be opened. Our goal is to help empower our people to pursue their own projects sustainably and on their own terms.
One dream we have is to establish an independent community space, a true “headquarters,” where we can host gatherings, workshops, and casual meet-ups for FLINTA creatives. A space that not only empowers but also provides resources, connections, and a sense of belonging. It’s all about creating a physical and emotional space where people can come together, learn, and feel supported.
In what ways do you collaborate with allies to create a more inclusive environment?
We’ve always kept an open mind and made sure to surround ourselves with trusted allies. One of the first mentors who supported us was Jorge, who gave a workshop about the basics of Rekordbox during our very first program. We also owe our visual identity to Neale Johnston, who volunteered his time to help us shape the project from the start.
When it comes to organizing events and finding venues, we’ve often worked with people outside of the FLINTA community, and a big part of that process is helping them understand what FBM is all about and how they can positively contribute. We’ve been fortunate that many allies have been open to working with us once they grasp the mission and the impact they can have.
For us, it’s crucial that allies truly understand how they can help. It’s not just about showing support—it’s about knowing what the issues are and not shutting the door when they’re presented. We encourage our allies to actively engage: call out all-male lineups, speak up when you hear inappropriate comments, see inappropriate behaviour, support events, donate to causes, do your research if you’re booking FLINTA DJs, or hire an awareness team for your event. There are countless ways to be an active ally and help foster safer, more inclusive spaces.
What message do you hope to convey to aspiring artists who may feel hesitant to join the electronic music scene?
To aspiring artists who might feel hesitant about joining the electronic music scene, our message would be: you don’t have to do it alone. There’s a whole community here ready to support you, and you don’t have to navigate the challenges by yourself.
At the same time, it’s important to be realistic about what the scene entails beyond just the music itself. We don’t want to romanticize the industry or make it seem like an easy path, but we do want to have a positive impact on it. We believe that having a grounded, healthy mentality is key for anyone looking to get involved—it’s about understanding both the highs and the lows and knowing that you can still thrive with the right mindset and support around you.
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