Midan - 10 Questions
Midan (Nadim) is a Cologne-based beatmaker, DJ, and lifelong record head. Born in ’99 to Algerian and German parents, he grew up in Paris but reps Cologne as home. Along the way, he’s lived in England, spent time in Brazil, and explored Japan — all of which left a mark on his sound.
Fluent in five languages and handy on multiple instruments, Nadim cooks up soulful, sample-heavy beats that blend jazz, hip-hop, and global textures. He’s released over 10 albums and a handful of EPs — always rooted in mood, concept, and culture. Every project comes with a physical release, usually on vinyl, sometimes on tape — and most of them sell out fast. Check out his latest album - Letter To Brazil below.
With over 5,000 records at home and a vinyl-only approach behind the decks, Nadim stays busy playing sets around Europe and beyond. Slowly but surely, he’s building a tight-knit fanbase of heads who care about sound, story, and the beauty of physical music.
Follow the journey or catch him live via Instagram: @nadimbrah
Midan sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
My dad’s a musician, so I basically grew up surrounded by music — especially jazz and North African sounds, since he’s from Algeria. From a young age, I played music with him: jazz sessions, school big bands, street performances — mainly bass and drums, but also guitar, piano, and traditional percussion like the derbouka. Being on the road with him taught me so much.
My love for hip-hop came later when I got into breakdancing. I remember hearing A Tribe Called Quest’s “We Got the Jazz” and recognizing the sample from “On Green Dolphin Street” — a song my dad and I still play together to this day. That moment made everything click.
Eventually, I transitioned from dancing to DJing — baggy pants, vinyls, the whole vibe — and then into beatmaking. I was always jumping between instruments, and producing gave me a way to combine everything I’d learned into one creative outlet. Sampling became my passion. The more records I collected (I’ve got around 5-6k now), the more fascinated I became with the beauty of flipping those perfect moments into something new.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
The classics will always be part of my DNA — J Dilla, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, Thes One… all that golden era stuff. But honestly, I feel super lucky with the scene we’ve got in Cologne. I’ve already worked with people like Hulk Hodn, Twit One, and Hubert Daviz (not everything is released yet though).
If I had to name a few I’d love to collaborate with, Wun Two, Knowsum, and Flamingosis come to mind — artists I know personally and deeply respect. Also, Coryayo — that guy is unreal. Everything he touches has a certain magic. But in the end, the best music usually comes from friends I meet along the way.
3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?
Haha, great question! My next album is a collaboration with my brother AHNAMUSICA from Japan. We dropped a project back in 2021, and this new one is finally coming out around the end of September — limited vinyl included. We’ve been working on it for 4–5 years, and I couldn’t be more excited.
Apart from that, I’m already deep into part two of my Brazil-themed album. I’m also exploring a more abstract, experimental sound inspired by Hubert Daviz, while still making jazzy and laid-back lofi stuff here and there. I usually just create beats and throw them into folders until I find a concept that connects them all.
There are a bunch of other collab projects in the works too — with Leavv, Mr. Käfer, Deeb, DonC, and MindTheBlue. Lots of styles, lots of love.
4. How would you describe your sound?
Versatile, old-school, and always made with love.
I work with concepts, and I let the sample I find that day guide the direction. That’s why I often have multiple projects running at once — I don’t like to limit myself. I love creating cohesive, mood-driven albums that feel like stories — especially on vinyl. As a record collector, I know how special it is when an album feels like a complete experience, not just a playlist of tracks.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
That's a tough one. Honestly, every time I make a new beat that I love, I feel like it’s the best thing I’ve done so far — like right now, writing this, I’ve got one on repeat!
But beyond that, the real joy comes from people connecting with my music. Whether it’s someone studying or cooking to my tracks, or a DJ spinning my vinyl, or a stranger asking me to sign their record — those moments hit deep. I’m just grateful to be part of something that brings people joy. That connection is the real reward.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Don’t overthink it — just release your music.
I know so many talented artists who never drop their stuff because they think it’s not good enough. (Shoutout to my brother Letsuo — he’s crazy talented. Go tell him to release his beats already!)
Look, worst case, people don’t vibe with it. Best case? It resonates, and it opens doors. I’ve released tracks I wasn’t 100% sure about, and someone later told me that exact track was their favorite. You never know. Don’t be too harsh on yourself. Let go, share your art, and keep it moving — it’s part of the journey.
7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?
Definitely — I mentioned a few earlier, but here's a list off the top:
Hubert Daviz, Coryayo, Wun Two, Hulk Hodn, FloFilz, Letsuo, Leavv, Mr. Käfer, AHNAMUSICA, Deeb, Knowsum, Flamingosis, Flitz&Suppe, George Fields… and many more I could name. I usually dig into older music, especially jazz, funk, soul, and Brazilian records, but the beat scene has some serious gems right now.
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
I mostly listen to vinyl, but I’ve been deep-diving into Brazilian music lately — always discovering new gems. That said, here are a few timeless favorites I keep going back to:
João Gilberto – João Gilberto (the white cover one) — pure magic, filled with memories
Pete Rock & INI – Center of Attention — one of the first hip-hop albums I obsessed over as a teen
A Tribe Called Quest – any of the first four albums — straight classics
Bill Evans – pretty much anything — incredibly soothing and elegant
My listening habits change with my mood. One day it’s mellow jazz for a crossword puzzle and coffee, the next it’s obscure Brazilian grooves or dusty hip-hop loops. I’ve got around 5,000 records staring at me — I try to give them all some love.
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
DJ’ing, digging for records, cooking, binge-watching series, hanging out with friends, partying, traveling (usually music-related), meeting new people… I try to keep a good balance between social energy and zoning out at home. It all fuels the creativity in the end.
10. Name three things you can't live without when in the studio?
Honestly? My MacBook with Ableton and my plugin setup is the core. But if I had to name a few essentials:
A record player and a stack of dope vinyl to sample
A good keyboard — ideally a Fender Rhodes, that thing is just sexy
A bass guitar — I love laying down basslines here and there (check my Lab Progressions album!)
And of course, the most important ingredient: a good vibe. Some days the magic flows, other days nothing clicks. But when it does… man, it’s the best feeling in the world.