IN THE MOOD #10 - NAMOY BUDAYA "not rushing—just enjoying life and music"

A Journey Through Music and Culture: An Interview with Indonesian Selector Namoy Budaya

In the heart of the lively reggae scene, selectors (DJs) play a vital role in shaping the soundscape, blending rhythms from various cultures and creating unforgettable atmospheres. We had the honor of sitting down with Namoy Budaya, a multi-talented Indonesian selector, comedian, and entrepreneur, during his Japan tour in July. Known for his energetic love for reggae, Namoy shared his journey from the shores of Indonesia to stages across Japan. In this interview, he opens up about his inspirations, the cultural bridges he’s building through music, and his future projects.

Let’s start with an introduction. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and how you began your music career as a DJ and selector?

Namoy: "Of course! My name is Namoy Budaya, and I’m a comedian, selector, entrepreneur, and producer. I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember, especially reggae. My dad played a big role in that—he used to take me to school, and every morning we’d listen to reggae music in the car, on cassettes. That’s where my love for artists like Imanez and Souljah started. As a music lover, I’ve been listening to reggae for a long time, but becoming a selector is something that happened more recently.

I didn’t start selecting professionally until the pandemic hit. Before that, in 2016, I was more involved in organizing events. I helped create music parties, like beach parties and outdoor events in Bali. When the pandemic hit, everything slowed down, and I started making playlists and sharing them with friends and brands. Eventually, I was invited to play at Zodiac in Jakarta, and that’s where my journey as a selector really began."

You’re a man of many talents—comedy, music, and entrepreneurship. How do these roles complement each other?

Namoy: "I think they all come from the same place—my desire to entertain and connect with people. Whether I’m on stage doing comedy or behind the decks selecting reggae tracks, the goal is to make people feel good, to share that joy.

I’ve been doing a lot of comedy online. One of my most memorable projects was a collaboration with Compass, a well-known Indonesian shoe brand. For the video, I played a funny character, a doctor, and we created a kind of parody where I had this reggae-inspired personality. It was a big moment for me, and the character I created really connected with people. I’ve continued to make similar comedic content, often mixing reggae and humor in my videos on social media."

Your music style seems to blend a variety of genres. How did you shape your sound, and what influences stand out for you?

Namoy: "Reggae is the foundation, but I like to play other styles too. I play dub, reggae-pop, dancehall, and even traditional Indonesian reggae. One artist I’d recommend to Japanese listeners is Dub Youth from Yogyakarta. He’s a dub artist who also leads a band called Shaggy Dog . His sound is influenced by both Indonesia and global reggae."

I heard you playing Japanese Lovers Rock. How did you discover this music? Can you recommend a few tracks?

Namoy: My Friend from Kyoto who know me right now being a selector he give me a playlist Japan Dub Lovers Rock, and the begin im in love listen and playing Japan Lovers Rock while im on the stage.

here is my recommendation tracks

Sakura - Bird ( Mad Professor Remix )
Always mi - Yellow Teresa,MedicalTempo
Midnight Love Call - Yoshitaka Minami
ラビリンス Dubforce Mix - Mondo Grosso
Aliens (Lovers rock Dub Edit) - Gen Tamura

You’ve just toured Japan. How has the experience been, and are there any memorable moments from your shows?

Namoy: "Japan has been amazing! Each city gave me a different experience. Kyoto holds a special place in my heart because it was the first place I performed in Japan last year. Osaka was memorable too because a lot of reggae friends came to my show. Nagoya also stood out—it was my first time playing there, and the crowd had such warmth and positive energy. I felt like I was performing in my hometown. And Tokyo... wow! The energy was incredible. Many friends from Indonesia came to my show, and it felt like a reunion. I played a more digital set there, which was different from what I did in other cities."

You've released the record 'OLAH REGGAE' through Japan's Baseline Records. How did this partnership come about

Namoy: "It started through a connection with a local clothing brand back in Indonesia called Potmeetspop. They helped release my single a couple of years ago, and when I came to Japan, I reached out to Baseline. We ended up doing a pop-up event at their store in Hakodate. Hakodate is such an old city with a rich history, and the people there gave me such a warm welcome."

What projects are you currently working on, and what can we expect from you in the near future?

Namoy: "Right now, I’m working on a couple of remixes. One project involves reworking a famous Indonesian pop song and giving it a reggae-rock vibe. It’s a song that many people know, so I’m excited to see how they react to this new version. I’m also working on a collaboration with some local musicians. We’re experimenting with new sounds that combine reggae with traditional Indonesian music. There’s a lot happening, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone."

As someone who has experienced both the Indonesian and Japanese reggae scenes, how would you compare the two?

Namoy: "There are definitely differences, but also a lot of similarities. In Indonesia, reggae has a huge following, but many people don’t really know much about Jamaican reggae beyond Bob Marley. It’s similar in Japan, where Japanese reggae is often more popular than Jamaican roots reggae. Something that’s growing in Indonesia is a love for vinyl. People are starting to collect 7-inch records from Japan and other places because they’re hard to find back home. There’s a special appreciation for physical records that’s gaining traction."

You’ve mentioned the concept of 'slow living' and Nusantara. What does that mean to you, and how does it relate to your music?

Namoy: "'Nusantara' refers to the Indonesian archipelago, or in other words, the many islands that make up Indonesia. 'Slow living' is about taking life at a more relaxed pace. Indonesia is full of beautiful islands and beaches that naturally encourage this kind of lifestyle. For me, slow living means not rushing—just enjoying life and music. It’s something I try to incorporate into my music and my daily life. When I visited places like Kyoto and Hakodate in Japan, I noticed a similar vibe. People there also know how to take things slow and live in the moment, which I really connected with." slow and live in the moment, which I really connected with."

Finally, what message would you like to share with your Japanese fans?

Namoy: "Keep it warm, keep it real, and keep it original. I love Japan, and I love my Japanese friends. Let’s keep sharing reggae music and good vibes, and I hope to keep building connections between our cultures."