"PELE PELE MAKE EM SWEAT. PELE PELE MAKE EM SHAKE." There are mottos, and then there are mission statements. Just a few weeks after launching OBEY THE DRUM alongside spoken word artist Tenesha The Wordsmith , AQUTIE is already bringing that vision into the real world through PELE PELE , her newly launched label and cultural platform. This Friday, June 19, the project takes over a stage at We Belong Here Festival with a line-up curated by the New York artist, performances from members of the legendary House of Chanel, and a celebration of diasporic sounds that feels like the beginning of something big and meaningful.
Raised between Harlem and South Africa, AQUTIE has built her artistic identity in the space between cultures, communities and genres. That perspective runs through everything she does, from her belief that "music always transcends differences" to her desire to create spaces where people feel "liberated and celebrated."
Community sits at the centre of everything AQUTIE is building. Whether through the records she releases or the experiences she creates around them, the goal remains the same: bringing people together. "I've always been this independent, one-woman show, and sometimes even now, I forget how strong my tribe is," she tells us. Ahead of her Barcelona debut alongside Pablo Fierro at W Barcelona on June 28, we caught up with AQUTIE to discuss belonging, nightlife, community, and why, in her own words, "we're human beings before we are artists."
It’s now been almost a week since OBEY THE DRUM and the official launch of PELE PELE. How have you been feeling emotionally now that this project is finally out in the world?
I’m happy it’s finally out. We’ve been working on this for a minute, so seeing it live is really lovely. It actually started out as something totally different and flipped into what it is today. I can't wait for people to see what else we’ve got coming up on the label.
You’ve described PELE PELE as something much bigger than a label, more like a cultural platform and community space. At what point did you realise there was a real need for something like this?
Community is everything to us. We’re always thinking about how to support each other, and music is the easiest way to bring people together. People can be from different places, but music always transcends those differences. With PELE PELE, we want to create moments and experiences; whether through the music we release or the live events we host, it’s a place where you can connect and actually see yourself in it. We want people to feel liberated and celebrated.
What was the process like emotionally and creatively between identifying that need and actually building PELE PELE into a real project?
Emotionally, it was definitely exciting. Starting a new venture is always fun, but also really tough. You have this idea, and you know you want to start it, but where do you begin? It's always going to be a work in progress, and it will be until we feel like we've fulfilled our mission. As I continue this journey, I'm learning a lot about myself and what it takes to actually succeed.
Were there other platforms or collectives that inspired you while shaping the identity of PELE PELE?
I’ve always loved the scene in NYC. PELE PELE is 100% inspired by me growing up here, my love for club culture and my African upbringing. I love what Papi Juice has been doing. Iconic events like Soul Summit have kept house music alive for decades, bringing the old school and new school together. I also love festivals like Lightning in a Bottle and brands like Soulection, Circoloco, Indo Warehouse, Innervisions, and Más Tiempo. They are all platforms where electronic music is being highlighted in the best way, which deeply inspires me.
The PELE PELE stage takeover at We Belong Here on Juneteenth (June 19) feels like one of the first real-world expressions of everything the platform stands for. What does it mean to bring that vision into a live festival setting, and what are you hoping people take away from the experience?
It means a lot to be given an opportunity like this. We Belong Here has really championed what we’re doing, and it feels amazing to be supported in this way. I want people to leave feeling fulfilled and wanting more. They can expect endless amounts of dancing, amazing music by fabulous artists, performances and a vibe you can only get at PELE PELE. Our motto is 'PELE PELE make em SWEAT! PELE make em SHAKE!' It truly is going to be a time.
Growing up between Harlem and South Africa must have exposed you to very different energies and ways of experiencing music. What parts of those environments still shape the way you create and move through art today?
I always thank my mom for keeping me rooted. I could have easily grown up not knowing anything about my culture, but her sending me back home every year really shaped me in the best way. Having that NYC upbringing mixed in with the South African side gave me a completely unique take on my art, which is exactly why PELE PELE was created in the first place. For a long time, I felt misunderstood as an artist. Being in NYC and not feeling African American enough, then being in South Africa and not feeling African enough... It was a constant battle. It still likes to show up sometimes, but I’ve gotten way more confident along the way. I just let my creativity flow now. That’s the beauty of art; you’re allowed to evolve.
Do you feel like existing between cultures also changed the way you understand identity and belonging from a young age?
Absolutely. Music gave me a better understanding of myself and where I belonged. It’s an ongoing journey and something I still navigate today, but I'm constantly making my way through it using sound.
A lot of club culture historically came from communities creating space for themselves when the outside world wasn’t built for them. Do you think nightlife still holds that power today?
Yeah, for sure. People have been complaining for the past six years about how nightlife isn't the same anymore, but honestly, they're just going to whack events. I've personally been having a ball. I'm discovering new artists, new music, going to the afters, and meeting people from all walks of life. People have stories, and the dancefloor is where they go to tell them.
Do you think artists now have a responsibility to position themselves socially or politically within the world we’re living in, or do you think music should sometimes exist separately from that?
I believe it’s important to stand for something. For many people, it’s hard to separate the music from the realities of the world. At the end of the day, it comes down to basic human empathy, knowing right from wrong and speaking out if you have the platform. We’re human beings before we are artists.
You recently reflected on your experience during Miami Music Week 2026, speaking about how much this past year changed your understanding of both your life and your business. What were some of the biggest personal conclusions you arrived at during that period?
The past few years of my life have been very reflective, but it reminded me why I'm doing this in the first place. It’s so easy to get in your head as a creative—that's all we do, rack our brains. But MMW was great. I got to connect with so many artists, have dope experiences, and I realised that as a woman in this industry, I’ve got to lock in. Because nothing is promised to us. I have to go hard for myself. It's easier said than done, but I'm doing all I can to make it happen.
Was there a particular conversation or moment during Miami Music Week that stayed with you emotionally afterwards?
My manager, Tay Allen, who is also the co-founder of PELE PELE, and I always have deep conversations, and we definitely had a few on that trip. Also, just being around influential people, talking to them, and seeing/hearing what they've been up to. That always sticks with you because I envision myself being right there, too.
You also mentioned learning more about how you want to navigate the industry moving forward. What parts of the music world have become more important to protect your energy from?
The business side and maintaining healthy relationships/boundaries in the business. I've always relied on my talent, but the business is a whole different beast. I want to make sure I surround myself with the right people and the right spaces, because it will chew you up. You need discernment, and you just have to be decisive, be confident, and believe in yourself.
Do you remember the first time you saw an artist and realised music could also become world-building, identity and community all at once?
Yes, definitely. I saw that in Kaytranada. I've been a fan of his since his SoundCloud days, and I love what he's built. He created his own lane, which is so commendable. He’s in a league of his own, and it shows. I’ve always loved that he stayed true and believed in himself. People gravitate towards that. It's hard not to conform and follow trends, but he built his own thing, and his community stood behind him. I aspire to do the same.
Do you feel like you’ve found a genuine support system within the industry, or can music still feel isolating despite constantly being surrounded by people?
Yeah, I have a solid support system. I've always been this independent, one-woman show, and sometimes even now, I forget how strong my tribe is. People really do want to see me win. When I have moments of doubt, I think of them and how they've always been there. My people support me, and I don't take it for granted.
It’s now been five years since the release of Give Thanks. When you listen to that track today, what emotions or memories come back to you?
Oh my goodness, that's a throwback, lol. Funny you mention it because I was actually talking about this record the other day with a friend. That song reminds me of how curious and eager I was to make music. My sound has totally changed since then, and it's still evolving, but my hope is that people understand my story through the music. Right now, my sound draws from so many different spaces. The challenge is translating all of those influences into something cohesive and timeless without feeling boxed in. I want to create music that feels good and rocks the dancefloor FOREVER.
Looking back at the version of yourself who released that track and the person now launching PELE PELE, what do you feel has changed the most?
For one, that was AQ, and I’m now AQUTIE. I'm not the same person I once was, and I want people to embrace that. I know they're used to me sounding or being one way, but when I rebranded, I realised I wanted to do more for myself. I wanted to explore a side of me I hadn't tried yet. My hope with PELE PELE is that people come along for the ride and trust me through the process.
Dance music moves incredibly fast now, especially online. Do you ever worry that people sometimes consume culture faster than they truly understand where it comes from?
Yeah, definitely, especially with AI going rampant in the streets. People are just really impatient now. Not only are we fighting against an actual clock, but we’ve got to figure out a way to keep people engaged within three seconds. It's tough, but we’ve got to move with the times because it isn't going back to what it once was.
You’ll also be playing at the W Barcelona alongside Pablo Fierro on June 28th. What can people expect from it?
Yes, I'm very excited about my Barcelona debut! All I can say is expect a very, very good time. I love Pablo Fierro, and this will be our first time playing together, so a moment will be had. You just have to be there to witness it.
