DJ Aminator, Host of “Nohô” in Rennes: Meet a Passionate DJ and Demystify DJing

Some people choose a passion and stick with it their whole lives. And then there’s Aminata. A social worker for 17 years, podcaster, festival organizer, exhibition curator, and now a DJ known as DJ Aminator: she never gives up and makes no apologies. In Rennes, she’s hosting an event at Nohô centered on her latest passion, DJing, with the energy and generosity that define her. Get ready to dance, reflect, and leave feeling inspired to try something new.

Can you introduce yourself?

My name is Aminata, I’m 48 years old, and I still have all my teeth! I’ve been calling myself a “slashie” for a few years now. I like to dive into topics that speak to me whether it’s because I know a little about them and want to learn more, or because I knew nothing about them at all and thought, “Why not give it a try?” Generally speaking, once I start to get the hang of something, I always do things the way I would have wanted them done in other words, the way I felt they were missing. In life, I always tell myself that life is a laboratory. I try things out; if I feel good about it, I go for it. I don’t wait for perfection.

What has your career path been like?

I’m a bit of an outlier in that I originally trained as a social worker, a profession I practiced for over 17 years. Today, I work full-time at the department and use my vacation time for my hobbies and activities. In 2020, I started a podcast company called “Tout le monde passe sur le trône.” I create content for others or for myself, and I teach adults, children, and students about podcasting. Every year, I organize a podcast festival with a friend. A few years ago, I also created a traveling exhibition on identity, to go out and meet people and ask them to talk about themselves.

A Daily Learning Process

What I’ve learned along the way is to dare to be myself. I didn’t think that was a bold thing to do. I realize that people are very afraid of embracing who they are. My journey has really been built on little building blocks of things I want to learn as I go. And last year, while working, I earned a bachelor’s degree in communication through accreditation of prior learning (VAE), with honors. I was pretty proud of that.

Would you describe yourself as someone with many passions?

It was a bit embarrassing for me a few years ago; I didn’t really dare to say it out loud. But then I realized that it was just that I could stick with one activity for three or four years, but I also enjoyed discovering new ones without it driving me crazy. I’ve learned to enjoy getting older, because I’ve realized that you can learn at any age. And I don’t let any skills fall by the wayside: I’m no longer a social worker, but I’m still capable of doing it. My podcasting is on hold for now, but I still know how to podcast. And right now, DJing is the activity that stands out the most.

How did you become a DJ?

There were lots of reasons why DJing interested me. For one thing, I love clothes and wanted to be able to dress however I wanted with even more flashy outfits than what I wear in everyday life. And above all, I was always frustrated when I performed in DJ sets as a dancer: the music would be cut off, out of sync, and heavily remixed. I couldn’t relate to the music I loved. And I really struggle with playlists that are 100% reggae, 100% hip-hop, 100% this or that. So I always promised myself that I’d do DJ sets the way I like to dance: varied.

A passion born from an observation

I also realized that there were few female DJs, and that they weren’t always given a prominent role. And above all, it was a space where women could feel like they didn’t belong because of the technical aspects. In the first workshop I led, many said they wouldn’t take the plunge until they were experts on every button. I never thought that way. When I started the podcast, it was the same. I experiment, and I just go for it.

What do you offer on Nohô?

I want to demystify the craft. I can introduce the basic equipment, show that everyone can add their own touch, and develop their own style. I’ve performed in places I never would have imagined: a private garden, a general assembly. There are so many places where you can DJ that I want to share that, to show that you shouldn’t limit yourself. And above all, I want people to give themselves permission to value their work: even when you’re just starting out, it takes time to prepare and download music. All work deserves compensation. What I want to tell people who come to dance is that it doesn’t matter if you’re a good dancer or not. What interests me is bringing people and genres together. McDonald’s says, “Come as you are”; for me, it’s “Come dance however you want to dance.” Fun comes first.

When Life Becomes a Laboratory

On Nohô, certain encounters make you want to try everything. Aminata is one of those people. She’s not an expert confined to her specialty, but a woman who moves forward, learns, shares, and deeply believes that anyone is capable of anything as long as they dare to take the plunge. Meeting DJ Aminator in Rennes means leaving with a turntable in your head and the urge to say yes to the next opportunity that comes your way.