Francis Mercier Will Bring Afro House to Hocus Pocus

Miami partygoers are no strangers to Afro house. Local audiences have come to embrace the combination of the sounds of the African diaspora with homegrown house music.

At least, that's according to Haitian DJ, producer, and Deep Roots Records boss Francis Mercier.

"Not only does Miami have the best weather in the U.S., but its people have a very rich appreciation and affinity for international and ethnic dance music," Mercier tells New Times over email. "The Miami crowd really understands my music and style, which makes for a great audience and energy felt at my shows. And most of all, I have Haitian friends and relatives living in Miami, which makes me feel a little bit closer to home away from home."

Francis has already stopped the Magic City several times this year, playing Toejam Backlot and Jolene Sound Room in the past few months, with two more appearances scheduled for Hocus Pocus at Factory Town on Halloween night and a Deep Root Records showcase during Miami Art Week.

With his label showcases, Mercier brings attention to Afro house's rising stars, including Nitefreak, MoBlack, Avö, Coco, and Arymé. These have occurred locally during Miami Music Week and this year's We Belong Here festival.

"My Deep Root Tribe showcases are special as they bring together different artists, DJs, musicians, and dancers from all around the world," he shares. "Deep Root Tribe aims to bring together musical talent stemming from different corners of the world, so fans and attendees love the unique, global, vibrant musical experience that we create. It is fresh and exciting for house music fans."

As Afro house's popularity has continued to grow, Mercier has become a figurehead of sorts for the genre, spreading the sound on dance floors across the world on dance, from Ibiza and London to New York City and Miami.

"It feels good that more and more people around the world, especially in America, are finally appreciating the genre the way that I have been appreciating it for many years now," Mercier says. "As a leader for the genre, it all happened organically, and it is my duty to keep creating and disseminating the genre for as many ears around the world to discover and hopefully fall in love with the beautiful genre that it is."
The genre's growth doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon. Portugal's Afro Nation music festival continues to grow in prominence, and Afro house can be heard on the stages of music festivals like Coachella and Tomorrowland.

"Afro- and Caribbean-inspired house music is surely on its way to mass global appreciation and popularity," Mercier adds. "It is the mixture of real organic African and Caribbean instruments with electronic synthesis and electronic drums that is driving global interest in the sound. It is refreshing for people to hear real instruments and percussions in dance music now since most electronic dance genres consist of predominately electronic synthesis."

Mercier's Haitian upbringing significantly shaped his sound, and the Haitian and African music he grew up listening to influenced him profoundly.

"I've been able to express and channel my Haitian musical upbringing into the songs I make and the styles of my sets," he says. "Haiti is home to a mixture of traditional Haitian music, Caribbean music, and African music. This musical combination is heard in my artistry and curation practices. Haiti has also been undergoing dire hardships over the years, so I find great joy in being able to represent and share Haitian musical inspiration."

He adds that he's particularly looking forward to an upcoming gig at the Karibe Hotel in Port-au-Prince on December 25. But before that, he's spinning at Miami Link Rebel's Hocus Pocus party on Thursday, October 31, where he'll do a two-hour solo set before closing the party with collaborator and protégé Nitefreak.

"Nitefreak is one of the first Deep Root artists that I began working with over five years ago. I found his music online when his profile was in its nascent stages in Harare. His originality, talent, and energy inspired me to help him grow into the globally renowned act that he is today. We've helped each other grow in many ways, and it has brought me great joy and gratification to work with and alongside him."

Mercier says he's always seeking new artists and music to release on Deep Roots. He's particularly looking for acts that show authentic musical ingenuity.

"It is so important to be genuine and original as an artist because that is how they will stand out from the others and, most critically, find the highest level of personal joy and enthusiasm in their music that they create and perform."

Hocus Pocus 2024. 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Thursday, October 31, through Saturday, November 2, at Factory Town, 4800 NW 37th Ave., Hialeah; factorytown.com. Tickets cost $74 to $230 via dice.fm.