Remixing cultures: Merchant’s rise in the afro house scene
Jamaican Afro House artist Merchant is making waves in the electronic music scene, blending Caribbean rhythms with global dance floor vibes.
Photo credit: Merchant – Instagram
With a distinctive fusion of Afro, Caribbean, and tribal house, Merchant’s sound reflects his diverse musical influences and Jamaican roots. His breakout year has garnered support from industry heavyweights and BBC Radio One, with his remix of John Summit’s ‘Where You Are’ propelling him into the spotlight.
Merchant’s latest remix of Major Lazer’s ‘C’est Cuit’ demonstrates his talent for crafting beats that resonate with audiences worldwide. With over 10,000 followers and half a million SoundCloud streams, he’s rapidly becoming an artist to watch in the burgeoning Afro House genre.
In this exclusive interview with EG, Merchant discusses his recent success, upcoming collaborations, and his journey from Jamaica to the forefront of the global electronic music scene. From his current writing camp in Cuba to his thoughts on AI in music production, Merchant shares insights into his creative process and future aspirations.
EG: Hi, Merchant! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now?
Merchant: Thanks for having me! I’m doing great. I’m actually in Cuba right now on a writing camp with Noise Cans, Sheriff, and Marlon Roudette. It’s been an incredible experience—we’ve been here for three days with four more to go. Collaborating with live musicians who bring Afro-Cuban influences to my tracks has been surreal. Working alongside Grammy-winning producer Andrés Levin, who organized the camp, has really helped bridge any language or genre gaps. It’s been inspiring.
EG: So, first of all, congratulations on the release of your latest edit of Major Lazer’s ‘C’est Cuit’! You must be psyched to have this one out to share with everyone. What are some of your initial feelings now that the track is out for everyone to download?
Merchant: Thank you! I’m absolutely thrilled to share this remix with the world. Seeing it resonate with people has been incredible. DJs like Sparrow and Barbossa have been playing it, and the crowd reactions have been amazing. It really motivates me to keep pushing forward. When you release something, you never know how it’s going to be received, so it’s rewarding to see it connect with both DJs and the audience.
EG: Now, what can your fans expect to find in this version of ‘C’est Cuit’? What was it that drew your attention to the original piece?
Merchant: The original had this classic Jamaican, 96 bpm, style instrumental that instantly caught my ear, and I’ve been really into French music lately, so it felt like the perfect blend to approach as a remix. I also tapped into my progressive house influences by incorporating arpeggiators and layered pianos, adding depth and a fresh vibe to the track. It all came together naturally, almost like it was meant to be.
EG: Your recent edits have garnered a lot of attention, including support from tastemakers like Pete Tong, Blond:ISH, and Diplo. Were you ever expecting them to have such a widespread reception? Does that put ‘pressure’ on the next release?
Merchant: Honestly, I didn’t anticipate such a widespread reception, and it’s been truly humbling. Getting support from legends like Pete Tong, Blond:ISH, and Diplo is a dream come true. It definitely inspires me to work even harder. Seeing Blond:ISH play my ‘Welcome to Jamrock’ edit throughout the summer and watching the audience react so positively reinforces that I’m on the right path. It’s easy to get discouraged in this industry, but support like this keeps me motivated. As for pressure, I think it’s a healthy kind—it pushes me to keep evolving and delivering music that resonates.
“As for pressure, I think it’s a healthy kind—it pushes me to keep evolving and delivering music that resonates”
EG: Since we’re on the releases front…we do know that you’ve got some highly anticipated collaborations incoming. Is there anything you can share with us? What are we in store for?
Merchant: Absolutely! I’m really excited about some upcoming projects. One that I can share is a collaboration with Hoax and Idd Aziz. Hoax and I started connecting last December as we were both gaining traction. We bounced ideas back and forth, experimenting with different keys and inspirations. Through a mutual friend, we got Idd Aziz involved, and when he sent back his vocals, we were blown away. We debuted an early version of the track during a back-to-back set at Miami Music Week, and the reaction was incredible. It’s evolved into one of my favorite records I’ve ever made, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
EG: Hailing from Jamaica, how has its music influenced your sound? What were your first interactions with electronic dance music like?
Merchant: Growing up in Jamaica, music is woven into the fabric of daily life. The rhythms of reggae and dancehall are a big part of who I am, and they naturally influence my sound. I also embrace the diverse cultural influences in Jamaica—from Indian and Asian to Middle Eastern and African—which aligns with where music is globally right now.
My first real interaction with electronic dance music was back in 2013 at a Major Lazer concert at the University of the West Indies. It was my first electronic music show, and the energy was electric. The youthful vibe combined with the production and music was eye-opening. It made me realize that my cultural background could blend seamlessly with electronic music. That experience really set the course for my musical journey.
EG: And are you making the music you thought you’d be making when you first started out? Where would you like for your sound to take you?
Merchant: When I started out in 2012, I was into progressive house. Around 2015, I shifted towards moombahton and tech house. Looking back, I’m happy with where I’ve ended up. Afro house allows me to combine elements from all those genres, blending them into something that feels authentic to me. Incorporating arpeggiators and layered pianos taps into my progressive house roots, adding depth to my current sound. Moving forward, I want to continue evolving and pushing the envelope, creating music that resonates with people while staying true to myself.
EG: Now, onto a hot topic…How do you feel about the rise of AI implementation in music? What’s your relationship with that like? Has any form of AI been used on any of your recent productions?
Merchant: I haven’t really delved into AI in my productions yet. I’m keeping an eye on how it’s developing. I can see its potential, especially for technical aspects like generating vocal harmonies or layering sounds. Using it as a tool to enhance the creative process could be interesting. For now, I’m more focused on organic collaborations and live instrumentation, but I’m open to seeing where AI technology goes in the future.
“I want to continue evolving and pushing the envelope, creating music that resonates with people while staying true to myself”
EG: Finally, what can we expect from Merchant in the next few months? Where can your fans catch you next?
Merchant: The next few months are shaping up to be exciting for sure… I’m really looking forward to releasing the track with Hoax and Idd Aziz, and a record I have with French producer Syls. Heading into 2025, I’ve been fortunate to assemble a great team, and we’re focused on creating more music and hopefully starting to tour as more releases come out. I’m excited about what’s ahead and can’t wait to share it with everyone.
EG: Thank you so much for your time, Merchant! We wish you all the best for the future. Take care!
Merchant: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure chatting with you. And to everyone who’s listened, commented, or shared my music, I appreciate you more than words can say. I promise to keep making records that stay true to my sound and continue to push boundaries. Take care!
Major Lazer’s ‘C’est Cuit (Merchant Afro House Remix)’ is now available. Stream and download here.
Follow Merchant: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram
