Afro House is having its moment in the United States and shows no signs of slowing down. We had a chance to catch up with one of the most exciting breakthrough artists, Merchant. Born in Jamaica and now based primarily in Miami, Merchant’s authentic and revitalizing sound has started to earn him global appeal.
If you’re not familiar, his standout edits such as Badbwoy vs. Damian Marley’s “The Light Vs. Welcome to Jamrock,” have earned him the support of titans like Pete Tong, Blond:ISH, and Diplo along with spins on shows such as BBC Radio One’s Hot Mix. Even his edit of John Summit’s chart-topping hit “Where You Are” grabbed global attention after Summit highlighted it in a recent interview with Alix Earle.
Now, he’s back with an impressive remix to Major Lazer’s “C’est Cuit“, injecting the original with a mesmerizing groove. The arrangement features shimmering synths and intricate vocal samples, creating a remix that could effortlessly energize dance floors anywhere in the world.
Read more about how Merchant approaches remixing, live shows, and his take on Afro House below!
How has your Caribbean heritage shaped your approach to music production, especially in this remix of “C’est Cuit”?
Growing up in Jamaica, certain rhythms and percussion patterns are just ingrained in me—the snares, toms and shaker/hat elements and basslines that are a big part of the appeal of afro house to the audience are all part of the everyday soundscape in Jamaica. Blending in Indian and Arabic influences, which have also become a part of the sounds in Afro House, comes naturally since Jamaica is such a cultural melting pot. Those sounds have always been around me. Major Lazer has had a massive influence on me since I started making music almost 11 years ago now. So, when I heard “C’est Cuit,” it just resonated. It happened to be in the same key as a demo I was working on, and considering France’s significant role in the Afro House scene outside of Africa, it felt like the perfect match. The remix came together organically, almost like it was meant to be.
How do you choose which tracks to remix, and what draws you to certain songs?
I gravitate towards tracks that strike a personal chord. I’m always plugged into Afro House, reggae, dancehall, and pop, but it’s that emotional connection that pulls me in. Sometimes it’s a melody that takes me back to my youth; other times it’s a hook that reminds me of home or something I’m into at the moment. If a song resonates with who I am as an artist and a person, that’s when I know it’s the one to remix.
You’ve performed at Deep Tropics and lent direct support to heavyweights like Diplo and &Friends. How have these experiences influenced your growth as an artist, both creatively and personally?
Sharing the stage with artists like Diplo and &Friends has been incredible. It’s both humbling and inspiring. Creatively, it pushes me to keep evolving and exploring new sounds. Being around such innovators motivates me to step up my game. Personally, it’s made me appreciate the amazing community that surrounds this music—the artists, promoters, crews, everyone. It’s not just about the performances; it’s about the connections and shared passion for what we all do before, during and after the shows. Always grateful for the lessons learned and the friendships formed along the way.
As Afro House continues to grow globally, how do you see your role in pushing the genre forward?
Afro House is exploding worldwide, and it’s exciting to be part of that movement. I feel a responsibility to stay true to my roots and bring my unique perspective to the genre. It’s easy to chase trends, but I believe in contributing something authentic. By blending my cultural influences and staying genuine to who I am, I hope to push the genre forward and keep it evolving. It’s about honoring the roots while also exploring new horizons.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I’m really excited about what’s on the horizon. I’m focusing on releasing more original music on Spotify since that’s where so many people discover new sounds. I’ve got a collaboration with Hoax and Idd Aziz that’s already getting amazing reactions on the dancefloor. It’s a fusion of our styles that I think really pushes the sound forward. Can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
The post Rising Jamaican Afro House Artist Merchant Shares New Remix, Discusses Support From John Summit, Blond:ISH + More appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.