Meet Bianca Mocan, aka bblove: a full-time visual artist and part-time music player. She’s all about shining a spotlight on emerging artists from minority communities, breaking barriers, and showing that there is room for more than a handful of artists on the scene. Her work takes heavy inspiration from the culture of her generation and the ironic twists of today’s society, always infused with a raw touch of sensitivity.
We also made a playlist with Bianca, which you can listen to HERE.
Growing up, what kind of kid were you, what did you enjoy doing and how did you spend your time?
Growing up, I was the kind of kid who spent the whole day outside, biking 24/7 and with a touch of shyness and sensitivity. I’m still the same—loving to bike, but no longer shy, just reserved, haha, and have learned to embrace power.
So this May, you spent a month in Copenhagen. What brought you here and how did you spend your time?
I had the opportunity to engage in an internship as a graphic designer, my main qualification, at Copenhagen Fashion Week, and I took it! I wanted to expand my connections and experience more in graphics. It was a great month, I have always loved the Nordic culture and was stoked to experience it as ‘home’. I met many talented and special people in both the visual and music industries all around the city.I can’t wait to be back for more, now that the plan is cooking!
Tell me about how and when you got introduced to DJ’ing?
That’s funny, because I never thought about becoming a DJ—it just happened. Me and my close group of girls were hosting events under the name ‘Hip Hop la feminin’, but I was the organizer, not the DJ. We felt that the music scene in Romania needed a fresh breath of air, especially in hip hop and underground music. My friends pushed me to DJ. I was extremely nervous and anxious at first, but when I felt the energy from the crowd and the power it gave me while playing, I completely fell in love with these experience. It really helped me grow and boosted my confidence and self-trust.
Who are some of the musicians you look up to?
That’s a very difficult question because they’re constantly changing, there’s always someone new. Ojerime, Main Phase, Qendresa, Sicaria, namesbliss, DJ Lycox, bastienGOAT, Stekker, Louis Culture, Cooking Soul, K-Lone, Mushkilla, The Alchemist, Dj Spinn, drip-133, Hamdi, Reek0, Action Bronson, BELOVED SUN, Chester Watson. I can go on forever, haha.
What is your preferred music genre or style, and how do you tailor your DJ sets?
My heart is sold to hip-hop and rap music, but recently, I’ve begun exploring electronic music, jungle, bass, amapiano, and everything in between. I always begin with a selection of tracks that resonate with my feelings and beliefs because, first and foremost, I play for myself and my passion. Secondly, I try to spotlight and support minority artists in the scene to push them ahead.
Can you describe any techniques or approaches you use to enhance your DJ performances or set yourself apart from other DJs?
I am not a super-professional DJ; I am simply a passionate one, so my only innovative technique is my feelings. I work with feeling and I express emotions through my sets. In my opinion, that’s the only thing that matters. If there are no emotions, it’s a lost set for me.
Alright Bianca. I think we covered it when it comes to your music. Can you tell me about World Wide Lab and Ouch Collective? And what are your vision for the projects?
I make graphics under the name World Wide Lab. It’s my design studio where I develop brand identities, logos, posters, magazines, and anything else that stimulates my creativity. Offbeat, always on the grid, unconventional, quirky, and totally wow. I love working with texts in general, producing digital graphics that have a physical feel and putting them out in the world with a little bit of a twist.
Ouch Collective is a dynamic musical platform based in Romania, community dedicated to amplifying predominantly female and minorities voices. At its core, is a trailblazer, challenging industry conventions by spotlighting and supporting womxn artists, illustrating that the stage is vast and accommodating for a multitude of talents. Beyond its artistic mission, the collective has transformed into a global nexus of friends, music insiders, event enthusiasts turned DJs, and individuals from diverse backgrounds. What unites them all is a shared passion for hip-hop culture and a profound love for music as a whole.
Beyond the collective’s deep-rooted connection to hip-hop, from classic old-school and 90s rap to soul, R&B, and the ever-evolving contemporary soundscape, Ouch’s core emphasis lies on exploring the latest industry trends, aiming to align with and explore various musical styles and genres. Ouch is not merely a DJ collective, it is a movement that empowers and embraces musical diversity.
In a parallel universe who would you be? and what would you be doing?
I would be exactly the same person I am today and do the same things. Both graphics and music are something that give me pure joy.
Can you tell me a story about a time when a connection with someone had a big impact on you?
The best connection I can talk about is the one with my mom. She taught me to view everyone as equals in life—neither superior nor inferior. For me, this is a strong and valuable lesson that keeps me going.
What qualities do you find most important in the people you choose to spend time with?
Honesty, vulnerability and empathy.
What motivates you?
My motivation is based on inner fulfillment. As long as I enjoy what I do, I can keep going forever and push through anything.
How would you describe a perfect day?
I don’t believe in perfection. I believe that every day can be a perfect day as long as you are aligned with your needs and feelings and stay true to yourself.
Alright Bianca. I always ask these two questions at the end of an interview. The first is. What’s your favorite movie(s) and why?
I don’t have a favorite movie, but I do have a favorite series – ‘Top Boy’. I like it because it shows a tough world where all the characters strive to conceal their emotions to succeed in a non-vulnerable world. But, in the end, we can see that we are all the same: sensitive creatures trying to make it out there.
The second is. What song(s) are you currently listening to the most right now?
2 Much – Qendresa
PS: Don’t forget: FREE PALESTINE