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Draft:WAÏ

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  • Comment: External links need removing from the article body. The whole article is written in a promotional tone - RichT|C|E-Mail 13:02, 23 September 2024 (UTC)


WAÏ
Birth nameWaël Mechri-Yver
BornJanuary 20, 1985 (age 39)
Paris, France
GenresElectronic, Dance, Soulful Electronica, House
Occupation(s)Musician, Producer, Entrepreneur
DiscographyLiberation EP
LabelsStill Vor Talent, A Tribe Called Kitori

Waël Mechri-Yver (born January 20, 1985), known artistically as WAÏ, is a French-Tunisian musician, producer and entrepreneur. Recognized for his contributions to the electronic music scene, WAÏ[1] represents Mechri-Yver's personal artistic project. His creations include founding the cultural collective BABËL,[2] and the venue GOSPËL. He also leads the music direction of Silencio NYC.[3]

Early Life

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Waël Mechri-Yver, born in Paris, France, was raised in a multicultural environment that shaped his artistic identity. His mother, Genevieve Yver, a journalist, exposed him to diverse cultures and musical traditions. This early immersion in global sounds deeply influenced his creative development.[4]

Early Career in Music and Nightlife

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At age 18, Waël Mechri-Yver began organizing events and booking DJs at La Sorbonne, where he was a student.[5] His interest in music and nightlife led him to study Hospitality and Hotel Management at École Hôtelière de Lausanne. After graduating, Mechri-Yver moved to London, where he worked at Christie's before attending Burning Man,[6] at age 24, where he connected with the founders of Institut Bonheur. This encounter led him to become Music Director at Paris’ former Man Ray club, that they launched and rebranded as Cirque Bonheur.

Founding BABËL and GOSPËL

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In 2011, Waël Mechri-Yver moved to New York City and founded the global music and culture collective BABËL in 2013 [7][8][9][10][11]. Drawing inspiration from Burning Man, BABËL connects people worldwide through music and the arts, fostering positive change through creativity. BABËL helped launch the careers of artists like Carlita, Layla Benitez, and Salome Le Chat in the global dance music scene. In 2017[12], Mechri-Yver later founded GOSPËL, a Soho club, where he lead the creative direction. In 2024, began curating Silencio NY[13],, a Parisian nightlife brand, collaborating with industry figures such as Swizz Beatz and Marley Family..

Musical Evolution and Debut EP "Liberation"

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In 2015, after a silent meditation retreat, WAÏ shifted from curating to creating music. His debut EP, Liberation, was released on June 21, 2024, featuring the lead single 'Sanctify',[14] a collaboration with Senegalese-American artist Marieme, and 'Faith'[15] an eight-minute track reflecting themes of transformation.

Performances and Collaborations

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WAÏ has performed at notable venues worldwide, including The Edge at Hudson Yards, Hï Ibiza, Webster Hall,, Sony Hall and the Robot Heart bus at Burning Man, alongside electronic music artists like Black Coffee, Dixon, and The Martinez Brothers.[16]

In 2024, he founded DiscOlympics,[17] an event held during the Summer Olympics opening in Paris, celebrating 50 years of disco. The event, attended by over 3,300 guests, honored disco’s influence across music genres, with performances by Agoria, He.She.They [18] , and Roche Musique[19], and paid tribute to Cerrone for shaping France’s disco scene.[20]

References

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  1. ^ "In conversation with Wai". Numéro Netherlands. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  2. ^ Maida, Stephanie (July 2, 2014). "Interview: Babël New York, The Creative Team That's Bringing Magic Back To Nightlife". Guest of a Guest. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  3. ^ "BABËL is Changing Nightlife for the Better". The Manual. 2014-07-24. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  4. ^ "Waël Mechri-Yver - Conversations with Artists | Jonsar Studios: Portrait, GIF and Video Experiences for Brands". Jonsar Studios: Portrait, GIF and Video Experiences for Brands. 2017-04-17. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  5. ^ "In conversation with Wai". Numéro Netherlands. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  6. ^ https://burningman.org/
  7. ^ Kamm, Jennifer (2014-09-10). "Art, Fashion, & Music Collided at BABËL's DIMANCHE Season Finale". Haute Living. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  8. ^ Jordan, Eliza (2015-03-12). "BABËL & Whitewall Close The Armory Show 2015 at The Bowery". Whitewall. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  9. ^ "BABËL New York Celebrates 1 Year Anniversary With Two Day Event of Excess and Splendor". TWELV. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  10. ^ "The 28 Best Parties, Openings and Events of Armory Arts Week 2015". Observer. 2015-03-02. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  11. ^ "Exec Profile with Babel founder Waël Mechri-Yver". www.musicconnection.com. 2024-07-25. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  12. ^ "Exec Profile with Babel founder Waël Mechri-Yver". www.musicconnection.com. 2024-07-25. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  13. ^ Holtermann, Callie; Smeyne, Rebecca (2024-02-08). "David Lynch's Parisian Club Comes to New York". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  14. ^ "Spotify". Spotify.
  15. ^ "Spotify". Spotify.
  16. ^ Holtermann, Callie; Smeyne, Rebecca (2024-02-08). "David Lynch's Parisian Club Comes to New York". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
  17. ^ "From the opening ceremony to DiscOlympics, Cerrone still reigns nearly 50 years on". AP News. 2024-07-29. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  18. ^ https://www.heshethey.me/
  19. ^ https://roche-musique.com/
  20. ^ "From the opening ceremony to DiscOlympics, Cerrone still reigns nearly 50 years on". AP News. 2024-07-29. Retrieved 2024-08-23.