Her latest weapon, “SCANDAL,” released on Solomun’s prestigious Diynamic Music, has become a certified festival anthem. But for Calao, the music is merely the tip of the spear. It is the culmination of a journey that spans the gritty hip-hop blocks of New York City and the refined electronic culture of Brussels.
“Music has always been an obsession since I was a kid. I never needed alcohol or drugs to feel transported by music; it has always taken me far away on its own.”
From Hip-Hop Roots to Techno Hypnosis
Calao’s sonic palate was forged in the melting pots of NYC and Los Angeles. Before she ever touched a CDJ, she was immersed in rap and hip-hop, a foundation that gave her an innate sense of rhythm and grit. When she eventually migrated to the electronic sphere, she found her niche in darker Afro sounds – the closest relative to the boom-bap energy she grew up with.
Living in Brussels provided the final catalyst. Belgium’s robust festival culture allowed her to refine an identity that thrives on “contingency” – the ability to adapt and react to a crowd without losing her artistic core. Her sets are masterclasses in tension, balancing hypnotic atmospheres with the kind of energetic peaks that demand physical response.
“Hypnotic doesn’t mean static. It’s about sound construction that allows the mind to escape. I move smoothly between related sounds so the subconscious can trust the direction of the journey.”
The Weight of the Stage: Overcoming Performance Anxiety
One might assume a former model would be a natural under the spotlights of Tomorrowland or Extrema Outdoor. However, Calao reveals a more vulnerable reality. Unlike the distance created by a camera lens, the direct gaze of a dancefloor presented a profound challenge.
“Facing the crowd was the hardest part. I struggled with anxiety, tears, and physical stress before performances. It’s improved over time, but it was a major challenge.”
This honesty is part of what makes her “SCANDAL” release so poignant. The track, which gained massive traction after being played by Solomun b2b Anyma at Futur Festival, was born out of a desire to speak back to global manipulation and injustice. It is a track with teeth, reflecting the “lives” she has lived outside the DJ booth.
Calao: Activism Beyond the After-Movie
While “SCANDAL” dominated the 2025 Tomorrowland Core stage after-movie, Calao is focused on a different kind of legacy. Her platform serves as a megaphone for charity: water, an organisation founded by her friend Scott Harrison. For Calao, access to clean water is a fundamental human right, and her music is the engine that drives awareness for the cause.
“Supporting this cause shifts perspective on privilege and responsibility. Focus on intention rather than image. If your intentions are right, impact follows naturally.”
As she looks toward the next 12 months, the objective is clear: more music, more sets, and more impact. Calao isn’t just playing tracks; she’s building a realm of endless possibilities where the only limit is the listener’s imagination.
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