“Continuing the full-circle theme we’ve explored with Dee Dee’s Picks this past year, here’s another person we’ve met through the Breakfast Club series. Zion performed on the same night as us last June, closing the evening with a mesmerising set—meticulously curated and full of intent, weaving sounds together in a way that has stayed with us ever since.

Zion is a Swiss DJ and community builder known for blending sonic textures with themes of identity, visibility, and cultural influence. Through their work with 4311 Kollective & their residency at Half Moon with the show Mèsi Tapes, they create spaces for underrepresented artists while advocating for inclusivity & representation in the industry.

Catching up with Zion stemmed from a recent Instagram post that struck a chord with us. It was relevant not only to the Swiss scene but also to the Western world at large. In their post, Zion challenged the superficial treatment of racialised DJs in the club scene, addressing the tendency for clubs to pigeonhole these artists into narrow genres or book them merely for “diversity,” without genuinely valuing their creative potential. They highlighted how these oversights reflect deep-seated inequities that marginalise racialised and queer artists. Zion’s vision extends far beyond representation; they advocate for a fundamental change in how local artists are credited, supported, and protected.

In our chat titled “From Valleys to Peaks: Unpacking Diversity in the Swiss Club Scene and Beyond,” we discussed the need for clubs to engage thoughtfully by recognising artists’ diversity & ensuring safe, respectful working conditions; the importance of community support for racialised & queer DJs, which provides essential resources & connections; and the industry’s responsibility to promote local talent, emphasising equal visibility for all musicians to foster a more inclusive scene.”