A master of the decks, former dancer, model, and style guru – what can’t Lexii do? DJ Lexii is taking the music scene by storm with a multi-facet of talents tucked firmly in his pocket (next to his non-negotiable lip-balm and chewing gum). Influenced by a life spent in artistic roles, Lexii shines a light on the wealth of dynamics and ambitions that drive his sets and have moulded him into the performer and creative that he is both on and off stage. After an incredible summer running the festival circuit, Noctis caught up with Lexii to talk pinch-me moments, pre-set rituals, and what it takes it keep the crowd moving.
You have such a broad range of stories from performing at various events, which event would you say has been a personal favourite of yours & why? Or what’s the most surreal venue or setting you’ve ever played in?
I’ve had a few favourites that really stick with me. On more of a surface level, and for the kid-like dreamy reasons, I’d say playing at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London and the MTV EMA afterparty in Düsseldorf. I was literally in the room with people I’ve idolised for years, bumping into stylists who had dressed me back when I was modelling, and seeing familiar faces from production, but this time in a completely different light as me, Lexii. I was honestly starstruck left, right and centre, surrounded by actors and artists I’d grown up watching. It felt like a proper pinch me moment, especially considering that just a couple of years earlier I was in lockdown mixing in my dressing gown at home.
On a more personal level, Sextou London Pride special was really special. Seeing my people on the dancefloor, reacting to every blend and coming with me dancing and affirming was lit was deeply fulfilling. Those are the markers for me: the dancefloor and the energy exchange. Love that stuff. When it feels good to me too, selfishly, as an artist or creative I have to enjoy it too, it’s so special.
Which artist or genre secretly shaped your style, even if it’s not obvious in your sets?
Honestly, I don’t think there are any secrets to my influence. I’d like to think it’s all in there, whether understated or loud, but definitely my mentor Ollie Rant had a huge impact. He really took the time to teach me the full scope of CDJs and shared techniques from his own toolbox that leaned towards UKG, bass and hip hop. He also encouraged me to branch out into other styles and sounds, even recognising my own sound before I did and knowing what I would gravitate towards, pulling from my upbringing and community. I carried those sounds and mixing techniques with me, RnB heavily, Midland’s bassline, rave chaos, queer electronic sounds – and started flipping them into something that felt like me, something authentic, rooted in the skills he taught me. That foundation allowed me to adapt to so many different sets. So, shout out to Producer, DJ, and friend @ollierant, for real.
Do you have a personal “pre-set ritual” before stepping into the booth?
My pre-set ritual is that I have to stretch. Like physically stretch, even if it’s in a tight confined space. I love yoga, movement, and dance, and I played a lot of sports growing up, so it feels like a warmup for me. I’m about to be locked in for two hours or more, and I can’t leave that moment until the job’s done. Maybe it’s my performing background that makes me treat it more like a show, but either way being physically grounded and comfortable means a lot.
Even just recently at Body Movements Festival I literally jumped into the side bar porta loo before my set and did this quick arm stretch routine I’ve taught myself from different classes. Then I came out, touched my toes, held my stretches, the whole thing. I’m tall and I’ve been told I have a wide stance when I mix, so it really all feels like a physical act for me. I feel comfortable that way.
What’s one item you’d never step into the booth without?
One thing I cannot step into the booth without is lip balm and chewing gum. My concentration face is pretty tight lipped, I’ve got a strong jaw, so chewing gum helps keep it active instead of locked in one expression. Plus, it tastes nice. Most recently it’s been apple flavour EXTRA, haha.
And then a good lip balm is essential. I’ll settle for Vaseline, but I prefer Paw Paw, Elizabeth Arden or Lanolips – something a likkle premium haha. No shade to Vaseline, cos I still keep a tin handy too. Dry lips while playing makes me feel crusty, and with high flash, especially film cameras, it can look really jarring on melanated skin. So, I make sure my lips are sorted before I start my set, or even mid-way through if I need to. Can’t get caught slipping.
As a trained dancer and former model, do you find that your experiences within these roles have influenced your style as a DJ?
I definitely think being a model and dancer has shaped how I approach DJing. Both gave me discipline, presentation, and attention to detail, which carry over a lot. For me, a set feels like a show, my solo performance and of course as a by-product I’m also being seen as a figure, which can feel vulnerable. That’s where the rituals I picked up from dance come in, to calm my nerves and keep me grounded.
DJing is live performance and there’s so much you can’t control, the location, equipment, energy, lights, but dance drilled into me to just make it work. Lock into your skills, be ready for curveballs, and still perform.
I think you can care about your aesthetic and presence, while still being a purist about music and respecting the craft. Same as in modelling or dance, critique is part of it, but you keep going and perform with a good heart. At the end of the day, I just want to do this DJ life my way.
If your fashion sense were a music genre, what would it be?
Maybe my fashion sense isn’t a whole genre, but more like a song. I’d say a rave-style
Aaliyah (RIP baby girl) edit, produced this year by a British queer UKG producer from the Midlands. Maybe that sounds like a cop out, but if you really think about what that track would sound like, and then think about the fashion influences around it (the era, the location, the brands), that’s literally my fashion sense. I could break it down further, but honestly, I think that says it best.
Have you ever had a set completely change direction because of the crowd’s energy?
100%. I think it links back to what I learned from dance and modelling – you can show up with a whole idea of what’s expected, but once you’re in it, you can literally feel if it’s not landing. On a shoot you see it in the faces behind the monitor; with DJing, you feel it in the crowd’s energy. And in both cases, you have to switch it up on the spot.
Is there a moment you realised, “I’m not just playing music, I’m creating an experience”?
I had a gig recently, naming no names, where I decided to take a more experimental, different sonic journey. But within the first few minutes I realised that wasn’t what people had come for, or what I’d been booked for. So, I adjusted, found a middle ground where I could still express myself creatively but also give the crowd the show they wanted. That adaptability is such a big part of DJing for me, you can’t be too rigid, or it takes the fun out of it.
What’s one thing you want people to feel the moment they leave your set?
I think it’s when people come up to me afterwards and they’re so sweet and complimentary, telling me about specific things they heard or noticed. I put so much thought into the tiniest details in my sets, so when someone picks up on that and says it connected with them, I’m like whoa, people are actually listening to me, hearing my ideas, fully locked into this little experience I first daydreamed in my room on my mixer. That feeling is so so so fucking special. It leaves me chuffed, and also shocked – I get that people are experiencing things but it’s shocking and sweet to know I could be a part of it.
I want people to feel a release, like that exhausted, euphoric release where you didn’t leave the floor because you had to go in with your friends, your partner, your crew. I want you to feel complete for that chapter of the night with me (Lexii lol) my little chapter — before the next set, the afters, or another club. If you leave feeling like you got what you came for from me, then I’m happy.
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Words: Libby Matthews