Mija Reveals How She Got Her Big Break Thanks to Skrillex

Mija explains how she became an international DJ THANKS TO a surprise BACK-TO-BACK with Skrillex. 

Earlier this week, Mija posted to TikTok telling a story of her life and how she has gotten where she is now in her DJ career. In the post, she reveals that she got her big break because of an unplanned performance with Skrillex. 

In 2014, Mija was an unknown DJ in Phoenix, Arizona. She was invited to perform in an art car called Kalliope at the iconic festival Bonnaroo. “Obviously I said yes because I had never performed at a festival before,” she stated. 

On the second night of the four-day festival, she was set to play at 6 a.m. for a sunrise set. The performer before her was, “on acid killing it and no chance was going to let me perform.” Unfortunately for Mija, the DJ playing the art car was the one who built the entire sound system for the car, so she claimed she didn’t have much room to argue for him to get off the stage.

This wasn’t the only performance she had of the weekend, so to her, it wasn’t a big deal as she was just thankful to be there. Her saving grace? When Skrillex had walked on stage and noticed Mija. He noticed her because, before her career as a DJ, she was a promoter and essentially had acted as his artist’s liaison.

Skrillex asked her what she had been up to since their work together and explained to him her situation. “Immediately this man jumps on the stage, takes over the decks, turns around, looks at me, and says ‘I’ll play one you play one.’” Speechless, Mija plugged in her USB and “blacked out the entire time.”

After a magical night of going back to back with Skrillex, Mija’s favorite part of the story is that the DJ who took over her time slot and didn’t let her play sent her an email the next week apologizing. Within the email, he attached the recorded set she played with Skrillex. She posted it on Soundcloud, it went viral and the rest is history.  Listen to the full Sunrise set below!

Kathryn Allyn

My favorite thing in the whole world is music and after hearing “One” by Swedish House Mafia for the first time in 2014, I was hooked on EDM. Dance music has been a large part of who I am and will always be searching for new ways to incorporate it in my life. The pure bliss that I feel from live shows is a feeling I never want to stop chasing (iykyk). Some of my favorite artists are Flume, Rüfüs Du Sol, Mindchatter, Disclosure, Dom Dolla and Fred Again.. 🙂

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