DJ Reflex says ‘Oui’ to France
Although France lost its latest World Cup game to football minnows Tunisia on Wednesday, Jamaican-born music selector DJ Reflex is counting on Les Blues to repeat as World Cup champions and bring home the trophy.
“I am a France football supporter because I have the French residency of course, but if Jamaica were competing, you know say a Jamaica straight. Right now, ah France mi a bring because the French team is comprised of some of the best players in the world in some positions on the field like striker [Kylian] Mbappé, midfielder [Antoine] Greizzman and [Raphaël] Varanne in defence. They are the defending champions and have experience of winning. I think Brazil is very good as well because of the quality of all the players and the motivation that Neymar is bringing to lift the Cup,” said DJ Reflex, whose real name is Ilando Henry. “But the World Cup is unpredictable because there’s also Portugal and Argentina with the two most most successful footballers in CR7 and Messi.”
DJ Reflex is employed as the main DJ for the popular Buckingham Club in Poitiers. He is championing the dancehall culture in that country.
“Dancehall in France is the same as it is in Jamaica — the money pull, the girls gyrating… it’s the same. When I’m playing there, I bring Jamaica vibes to France, I push dancehall here and they like and accept it. It’s a very vibrant town and dancehall is growing here, I want to bring the French and Jamaican artistes together, to bring the culture closer,” he said.
DJ Reflex plays at an event dubbed ‘Afrodiziac Party’ and he has performed at clubs all over Europe.The town of Poitiers is a major university town with over 29,000 students, some of whom have international origins.
“I am introducing dancehall to a lot of people in the city,” he said.
He grew up in Waterford where he attended Waterford High School in Portmore, St Catherine. He migrated to France seven years ago and finally became bilingual three years ago.
“It was really hard at first and I struggled a bit to become bilingual, the French language was quite challenging but I finally did it,” he said.
DJ Reflex is also a producer. He has done songs such as dancehall artiste Taurus Ink’s Loyalty. He plans to do more reggae productions in the future between French and Jamaican artistes.
