Exploring the Journey of NOT SO HUMAN: A Miami-Based DJ with Brazilian Roots
NOT SO HUMAN
This week on The Groove Palace, we sit down with DJ and producer NOT SO HUMAN for an exclusive conversation about her journey from Brazil to Miami, her evolving sound, and her aspirations as an artist. With a deep connection to house music and an undeniable drive to succeed, NOT SO HUMAN’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and passion.
From Brazil to Miami: A Fusion of Rhythms
Born in São Paulo, Brazil, and splitting her upbringing between Brazil and Miami, NOT SO HUMAN was immersed in a wide range of music from an early age. Her family’s clothing store frequently played 90s house, while the vibrant Brazilian sounds of samba and reggaeton added to her eclectic musical foundation.
"I was surrounded by 90s house music growing up, especially in my family's store in Brazil. My mom’s love for house shaped my early tastes, and moving to Miami only broadened my horizons with Latin and American influences," she recalls.
The Ultra Experience That Sparked a Dream
One pivotal moment for NOT SO HUMAN was her first experience at Ultra Music Festival in the early 2010s. “I remember promoting the festival, handing out flyers, and getting free tickets. It was my first time seeing artists like Swedish House Mafia and Hardwell, and the energy blew me away. That was when I realized I wanted to be part of this world.”
Despite her early love for house music, it wasn’t until the pandemic that she fully committed to DJing. Like many artists, the lockdown gave her time to dive deep into her craft.
Finding Her Voice: Becoming NOT SO HUMAN
During the pandemic, NOT SO HUMAN bought her first controller but hesitated to use it. “I was terrified of my own potential. I knew that if I really committed, it would take me far, and that scared me.” With encouragement from her mom, who was always her biggest supporter, she finally overcame her fear and started mixing.
Her DJ name, NOT SO HUMAN, reflects her desire to stay mysterious and focus on the music rather than the person behind it. “I didn’t want people to know whether I was male or female, one person or a group. I wanted the focus to be on the sound and the experience.”
Evolving Sound: From Tech House to Minimal Deep
While she started with Latin tech house and groovy basslines, NOT SO HUMAN’s sound continues to evolve. She’s currently drawn to minimal deep house, which she describes as touching her soul in a way that other genres don’t. "I love how house music is always changing. There’s so much room to grow and experiment, and I can’t wait to see where it goes next."
Female Artists She Looks Up To
NOT SO HUMAN draws inspiration from a number of powerful women in the electronic music scene. “Ms Mada is a huge influence on me. Her ability to go back-to-back with anyone and absolutely crush it is inspiring. Chelina Manuhutu is another one—she’s the queen of minimal tech house, and I love how she dominates the stage.”
She also looks up to Manda Moore and Silvie Loto, two female artists who are making waves in the underground house scene. “Silvie’s rise has been incredible to watch—she’s so young and talented, and I love seeing her crush it in the industry.”
Dream Back-to-Backs: Aiming for the Stars
When asked about her dream back-to-back set, NOT SO HUMAN doesn’t hold back. “If I could aim high, I’d love to go back-to-back with Paco Osuna, Marco Carola, or Chris Stussy. Those guys are just legends, and I know I could tear it up right alongside them.” She also admires the random back-to-back sets that happen with some of her favorite artists and hopes to be part of one of those someday.
As for a dream set she’d love to witness? “A Chris Stussy and Marco Carola back-to-back would be insane. Their styles are different but complementary, and I’d love to see how they’d play off each other.”
Future Aspirations
Although she’s been primarily DJing, NOT SO HUMAN is eager to dive into producing. “Right now, I’m in a bit of a transition phase, living with my mom and not having the space to produce regularly. But as things settle down, I’m planning to start working in studios and collaborating with other artists.”
Her ultimate dream is to create a community through music. “In the next 5-10 years, I’d love to start my own record label and host festivals, bringing together both new and established talents. Community is everything to me, and I want to build something that brings people together through music.”
Advice for Aspiring DJs and Producers
NOT SO HUMAN is passionate about supporting the next generation of DJs and producers. Her main advice? Don’t be afraid to dream big.
“Don’t be scared of the dream. If you have a vision and it makes you feel alive, go for it. Eat, sleep, breathe it. Surround yourself with like-minded people, show up in the scene, and be present. It’s not just about DJing; it’s about building relationships and being part of the community.”
She also emphasizes the importance of showing up in the right way: “Don’t just show up to party. Show up as the person you want to be seen as—someone who’s serious about their craft. Opportunities come when you’re present and ready.”
NOT SO HUMAN’s 1.5-hour mix is now available exclusively on The Groove Palace SoundCloud, featuring a captivating journey through minimal and deep house, packed with unreleased tracks and her signature sound.