Mix It Up: Mischa Notcutt

Mischa Notcutt’s fashion education began at Central Saint Martins where she studied fashion design, before moving into styling upon graduation. Now it’s Mischa who’s become the educator, as a creative voice and tastemaker whose impressive body of work includes styling, creative direction, casting and DJing. As an NTS radio resident (she DJs under the pseudonym Mischa Mafia) and one of the founding members of iconic East London club night PDA, we asked Mischa to create a playlist for us.

“I put this playlist together as a reflection of how I am feeling during this awakening for Black Lives Matter,” Mischa explains. “The playlist title, Peace Of Mind, is from a Lauryn Hill song called I Gotta Find Peace Of Mind. There’s a lyric in the song that resonates with me: "He says it's impossible, but I know it's possible," and that's how I feel for this moment right now. It's possible, it's possible for change.”

Empty by Ojermie
This song has been my lockdown song. The whole album to be honest! Ojermie’s voice is comfort; a friend in isolation.

iPhone by Hawa
I met Hawa when she performed at the Telfar show in Florence. It was incredible and I’ve been in love with the whole record ever since.

Marry Me by DJ Call Me
This song reminds me of my friend SUUTOO who is an amazing DJ and musician. I haven’t seen them since before lockdown and this reminds me of her.

Beauts (PDA Compilation) by Shygirl
PDA is a club night I ran for six years with Ms Carrie Stacks and Akinola Davies Jr. We made a compilation to raise money for the Association For Queer Ethnic Minorities, and everyone who had ever played at the night contributed. It was really special. The video is recordings of everyone coming into the venue that we collected over the years.

Feelings (live version) by Nina Simone
Ms. Simone can grab your heart. This live performance really made me understand where she was coming from with all her other songs. She’s telling a story on how to be free and survive.

enemy of progress by Joey Labeija
I love this song by Joey Labeija - this whole record is so fab. Joey’s made the leap from amazing DJ/producer to this incredible musician. I think the title of the song sums up how many of us feel; how we need to move through anything that is in our way.

AHYA SIMONE_ENOUGH_NO BPM by Kelela
I have worked with Kelela as her creative director for three years, however I was a fan first. Her voice and words are so healing and her lyrics are therapy. This song is a remix and features the amazing harpist Ahya Simone.

Kerosene by Yves Tumor
This record was released just before lockdown and it is amazing. Yves’ music feels like you’re on a LSD trip in a desert.

wicked, sexy! by Odunsi
This song makes you feel exactly what the title says. I can’t wait to dance again.

I Gotta Find Peace Of Mind by Lauryn Hill
This song is so touching to the soul that I thought it would be great to use to title this playlist. This performance was part of the MTV Unplugged that she did. If you have time, watch the whole thing.

Breakdown by Mariah Carey
Mariah always appears in some way in all my sets. This one in particular reminds me of driving to the sea for a full moon cleanse I did with some of my close girlfriends. We played this over and over all the way there in the dark.

Giving You The Best That I Got by Anita Bakar
This song - especially right now - always makes me feel better and reminds me not to be so hard on myself.

Sonini feat. Simmy & Lelo Kamau by Sun-EL Musician
This song Ib Kamara played for me and I instantly fell in love with it. Ib has such great taste in music, art and fashion and I know Ib could make a beautiful album. This song makes me feel like we can fly.

You Got Me feat. Erykah Badu by The Roots
I think community is so important; looking after each other, especially during this time. Also fun fact: Jill Scott actually wrote this song. They performed it live together at Dave Chappelle’s block party.

Missing You by Brandy, Tamia, Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan
This song is for Breonna Taylor, Nina PoP, Tony Mcdade, Oluwatoyin Salau, Nakia Crawford and the many others. BLACK LIVES MATTER.

You can also listen to this playlist on Spotify, just search for Browns Fashion to discover more music to enjoy.

Interview by Georgia Graham