In a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation at the Nexus Lounge, Aaron from Nexus Radio sat down with drum & bass innovator MXN, also known as Jimmy, to explore the influences, experiences, and philosophies shaping his unmistakable sound. Known for weaving Middle Eastern textures into high-energy drum & bass, MXN represents a new wave of artists blending culture and club music with intention.
MXN spoke warmly about his deep connection to Amsterdam, a city he once called home for five years while studying and working. Returning now feels like reconnecting with family—a celebration of music, collaboration, and shared history. That sense of belonging, he explained, plays a major role in how he approaches both life and art, grounding his work in real relationships rather than surface-level networking.
At the heart of the discussion was MXN’s upcoming drum & bass project, slated for release early next year. The record bridges his past and present, featuring collaborations with close industry friends including Brian Powell, Sarah, and Ludovic. Living between Cairo and Spain, MXN draws heavily from Arabic rhythms, melodies, and percussive traditions, blending them seamlessly with the relentless drive of drum & bass. The result is music that feels global, emotional, and unmistakably personal.
Collaboration, for MXN, starts long before the studio. He emphasized the importance of genuine human connection—sharing coffee, conversation, or a night out—before creating music together. That philosophy shapes the emotional core of his tracks, which are built on trust, shared experiences, and authenticity rather than convenience.
Reflecting on earlier challenges, MXN spoke openly about the financial realities of starting out in music. Limited resources forced him to be inventive, pushing his creativity beyond comfort zones and helping define the richly textured sound he’s known for today. Those early constraints, he noted, became unexpected advantages, teaching him how to extract maximum expression from minimal tools.
When offering advice to emerging producers, MXN returned to a single guiding principle: authenticity. In an industry crowded with trends, staying true to one’s own voice is what creates lasting impact. Music, he believes, succeeds when it forms emotional connections—and those can only come from honesty.
Lighter moments punctuated the interview, including MXN’s humorous comparison of his music to blue cheese—bold, slightly aggressive, and definitely an acquired taste, but deeply rewarding when paired just right. It was a fitting metaphor for an artist unafraid to challenge expectations.
Looking ahead, MXN shared his dream of collaborating with His Acrylics, an idol whose work inspired him from an early age. His journey—from receiving his first drum kit at age three to formal training at the Abbey Road Institute—speaks to a lifelong dedication to craft, now expressed with both technical precision and emotional depth.
As the conversation closed, MXN described his creative spark as largely spontaneous—sometimes beginning with a drum pattern, other times with a piano line that unlocks a new direction. His story is one of movement, adaptability, and cultural fusion. Listen to the full interview below.
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