From the wild breakbeat rivers of 90s Andalusia to the sun-drenched dancefloors of Ibiza, M.E.M.O. has carved out a singular path through electronic music’s ever-shifting landscape. With over two decades of experience behind the decks and in the studio, this Malaga-born producer has evolved from festival stages drawing 20,000+ crowds to become a guardian of deep, organic house music in an increasingly digital age.
His latest release, “Afroiberico” on Mobilee Records, is more than just an EP, it’s a sonic meditation on identity, blending the ancestral fire of African rhythms with the earthy melodies of his Iberian roots. Armed with an impressive arsenal of analog synthesizers (Moog, Juno-60, ARP 2600, Prophet series) and an unshakeable belief in human imperfection, M.E.M.O. stands as a counterpoint to the AI revolution, championing artistry through his new label venture, Made By Humans.
In this exclusive interview, we trace his journey from hip-hop scratching and vinyl obsession through residencies at Barcelona’s ZEN and Ibiza’s legendary Space, explore his philosophy on keeping soul in an algorithmic world, and discover what’s next for an artist who refuses to stand still—including a debut album with his new band project Nur Nur, featuring collaborations with M.A.N.D.Y, Cedric Kazihise, and a constellation of underground luminaries.
1. Your musical journey began with piano studies as a child, then evolved through a rap-metal band before electronic music took over during the English Breakbeat boom in Andalusia. Can you take us back to those early days – what was it about that breakbeat scene that captured you, and how did you transition from playing festivals for 20,000+ people in that genre to the deep house and Afro-house sound you’re known for today?
Breakbeat arrived in Andalusia like a wild river in the 90s—pure energy that captured me as a kid and made me feel part of something bigger. My first contact with vinyl came through hip hop and scratching; that technique was essential for diving deep into this sound and carving out a unique space for myself in Spain’s breakbeat scene. My curiosity for exploring other styles and deeper sounds led me to techno for many years. Little by little, I started enjoying studio production more, reconnecting with my musical side. That slowly brought me to lower the BPMs and arrive at the sound I stand for today.
2. You’ve had a long relationship with Mobilee Records, with releases like “Tai Tai” (which hit #3 on Beatport in 2018) and now “Afroiberico.” How has your sound evolved within the Mobilee family over the years, and what makes this label feel like home for your music?
Mobilee is family. Not just a label, but a place where I can grow without masks. My sound keeps evolving, but I always find a refuge there, a place to express myself—like coming home after the storm. Ralf gave me the chance to share my music with the world through Tai Tai, and that moment changed my artistic path, taking me to another level and bringing me more international recognition. I’ll always be grateful for his belief in me.
3. Your latest EP “Afroiberico” on Mobilee delivers what’s described as “pure Afro-house energy.” What inspired this particular project and blending African rhythms with Iberian influences?
Afroiberico was born from the curiosity to unite what I am: Africa with its ancestral fire (as an Andalusian, those roots are everywhere in the places I grew up) and Iberia with its earthy melodies. It’s a clash, a dialogue between cultures that, in my view, creates an atmosphere full of tension and beauty while never losing focus on the dancefloor.
4. The title track blends organic sounds with hypnotic grooves, which seems to be a signature of your production style. Can you walk us through the creative process and production tools and techniques you use?
My creative process is about listening to silence until it speaks. I use a lot of hardware to generate textures or find a sound that grabs me, and from there I start building the groove—or sometimes the other way around. I’m always immersed in analog synthesizers; it’s an addiction of mine, and I’ve built quite a collection over the years. I like combining hypnotic sounds that reflect my techno and underground roots with organic freshness that pulls listeners into my world. I work with Ableton for its speed, and machines like Moog, Juno-60, ARP 2600, Prophet 1, Prophet 6, OB, Jupiter 4, Tom Oberheim SEM, TR-808… and I’m also a big fan of plugins for creating noise and glitches.
5. With over two decades of experience producing and performing, what’s your perspective on AI’s growing role in music production? Do you see it as a tool that could enhance the creative process, or are there concerns about maintaining the organic, human touch that defines your sound?
AI is fascinating and dangerous. It can help, but it will never feel what a human feels when striking a note. Music needs mistakes, imperfections, scars. If everything is perfect, the soul dies. That energy that flows from artist to audience doesn’t exist with AI, and I believe that energy is 80% of a work of art. In fact, my new label project is called Made By Humans, fully focused on artists with a live act approach—musical artisans sharing the raw energy of their work in an era where we’re facing an avalanche of AI-generated music.
6. Your career has taken you from Malaga through Barcelona (where you had a residency at ZEN and opened your own vinyl shop) to five years in Ibiza with regular performances at Space, Privilege, and Sankeys. How have these different Spanish cities and their distinct scenes influenced you and the sound you’ve developed?
Malaga gave me the roots, Barcelona the streets, vinyl culture, and experimentation, and Ibiza gave me total freedom and a touch of madness. Each city left invisible marks that live in my sound today. That’s why I’ve always considered myself eclectic, open to learning and evolving, a true musical nomad.
7. Having performed everywhere from Watergate Berlin to festivals like Creamfields and Dreambeach, what is the biggest challenge of a touring life for you?
I think the biggest challenge is not losing the excitement—always enjoying the journey, meeting people, and learning from other cultures. Touring life is tough: sleepless nights, distance, loneliness. But that moment when you’re playing for others, or when someone thousands of kilometers away tells you they love one of your tracks… it makes it all worthwhile. Personally, I love traveling and building family wherever I go.
8. You currently host a weekly show on Pure Ibiza Radio which you described as “full of feeling and freedom.” How did this opportunity come about, and what do you enjoy most about having this regular radio platform?
Radio is my weekly refuge. Every Saturday from 6 to 7 pm I host the Made By Humans Radio Show, where I can share pure vibrations, speak into the void, and know that someone, somewhere, is listening. There are no labels or rules—it’s absolute freedom. It doesn’t depend on immediate feedback, but on sharing the music that I truly feel in the moment.
9. You were named Best Deep House Artist at the 2018 Vicious Music Awards. For upcoming producers and DJs trying to develop their own sound and build a sustainable career, what key lessons from your 25-year journey would you share?
If I had to give one piece of advice: don’t try to please everyone. Stay true to yourself, even if it hurts, even if it takes years. Real music is born from patience and resilience. The rest comes naturally.
10. With “Afroiberico” just released on Mobilee and your continued work as both a DJ and live act, what’s next for M.E.M.O. for the rest of 2025 and beyond? Are there particular sounds, collaborations, or creative directions you’re excited to explore?
A lot of new music is coming: I have a collaboration with Yamil for Pablo Fierro’s label, another with M.A.N.D.Y and Cedric Kazihise (the singer of Azari & III’s hit Hungry for the Power). And in January 2026 I’ll release the debut album of Nur Nur, my new band project with Monolitio, featuring remixes from Facundo Mohrr, AFFKT, Yamil, Thimble, SIS, Robbie Akbal, Martin Herrs, and more to be confirmed. And of course, I’ll keep touring and exploring new corners of the world.