We’re looking forward to introducing you to MUSUBI. Check out our conversation below.
Hi MUSUBI, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity, always.
I promised myself early on that no matter what life throws at me, I’d move with integrity. It’s how I show up. In my work, my relationships, and my creative process. Intelligence and energy are powerful, but without integrity, they lose meaning. It’s the foundation. When integrity leads, everything else aligns.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I go by MUSUBI. I’m a DJ, artist, and producer based in LA, born and raised in San Francisco. My roots are in house, hip-hop, and club music, but I’m drawn to emotional, cinematic textures. I want my music to feel expansive, nostalgic, and alive. Like memory and future at once.
I’m a first-generation Asian American woman making space in a scene that’s still largely white and male. My background is Chinese, Japanese, and Burmese. I’m not just here to be included, I’m here to build something of my own. What makes my work unique isn’t just the sound; it’s the intention. I create to connect. To make people feel seen and to remind others that they can carve out their own space too, even when the odds feel stacked.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
That my voice didn’t matter.
Growing up Asian American, I was taught, directly and indirectly, to stay quiet. To be agreeable, and not take up space. For a long time, I believed being silent was safer. But I’ve learned that shrinking myself doesn’t serve anyone, especially not me. My voice matters. My story matters. And every time I step into that truth, I hope it gives someone else permission to do the same.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Resilience and gratitude.
The hardest parts of my life are what shaped me the most. I don’t share my past for sympathy, I share it because it’s real. It’s human. I’ve been through things that forced me to grow up fast, but they taught me how to hold myself through it. How to stay soft without breaking. How to keep going even when no one was watching.
But beyond the resilience, suffering also taught me to be grateful. For the smallest moments. For the people who show up. For my own strength. I’ve learned to thank life not just for the highs, but for the lows too — because they gave me depth, clarity, and purpose.
Success is beautiful, but it doesn’t build you the way pain does. I carry both, and that’s what gives my work depth.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Authenticity.
I’ve been in this world since I was 16, and the one thing I’ve never let go of is being true to myself. I’m not here to follow trends or chase algorithms. I’m here to create something honest. Something lasting.
I want to build a world where people feel seen, reflected, and inspired to live in their own truth. That takes time, and I’m in it for the long game.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
That it came easy.
People might see the aesthetics, the visuals, or the milestones and assume it’s been smooth. But I’ve fought for every inch of this. I’ve sacrificed, I’ve stumbled, and I’ve kept going when it would’ve been easier to quit. I could’ve taken shortcuts, but that’s where integrity shows up.
I don’t share my struggles publicly, but they’ve shaped everything I create and do. How I interact with others and the world around me. My legacy isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being real, being consistent, and showing what’s possible when you stay true to yourself, even when no one’s clapping.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://djmusubi.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madisonriese
- Twitter: https://x.com/itsmusubi
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeeh0xA0rRczL78t6AKrJ0g
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/itsmusubi
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1H4NB6i4ypCKgEvhEhOPP3
