In Session: Hito

From Ibiza to Israel, Mexico to Mixmag’s very own Lab LDN, Hito has been absolutely tearing up soundsystems in 2016. Armed with an extensive record collection full of deep techno cuts and a knack for knowing when to play them, Berlin’s favourite ex-pat has had a breakout year.

Born in Himeji, Japan, Hito moved to Berlin in 1999, buying her first turntables in the German capital. The move sparked a flame for travel in the budding DJ, but it wasn’t until the beginning of the decade that she hit the world circuit thanks to fellow Berlin resident Richie Hawtin. The British-born, Canada-raised DJ was well established by the time he met Hito, and asked her to play at his ENTER. night at Ibiza’s Space. The move was the jumping off point for Hito’s career as she became a resident, and launched ENTER.Sake in the area of the club remodeled to look like a sake bar, helping build the brand with the rice wine-loving Hawtin.

Even when ENTER. left the white island, Hito continued her momentum, taking the brand to Tokyo. Nowadays you’re just as likely to see her throw down at Circoloco as Awakenings and as an ambassador for Hawtin’s MODEL1 mixer she’s regularly mentioned in the same breath as Nicole Moudaber, Loco Dice and Dubfire.

The remarkable fact is Hito’s made the leap with no productions to her name while sticking to a strictly-vinyl attitude. It’s not a gimmick, its just part of her make-up. Having learnt from someone she describes as the Frankie Knuckles of Tokyo, Hito has shown she’s a willing student and it’s through this dedication to her craft she’s developed her own voice.

“I’m always asked ‘why I do this?’” she told us after gracing the cover for our December issue. “I’ve tried Traktor and USBs but I don’t feel Hito. I think it’s about the way I deliver the message to people. It feels the most natural. It’s continuous in everything I do.”

It’s all part of an identity she’s dubbed #Hitostyle and it’s why she’s rarely seen without her customised bunny ear headphones or wearing a kimono behind the decks. She’s intent on bringing her own heritage to the club but also loves exploring new cultures.

In this all-vinyl selection mixed on the PLAYdifferently MODEL 1 we see her love for emotive techno shine through early before opening up into a session of swinging bangers with swallow-you-whole basslines that highlight Hito’s sense of fun. As much for the heads as it is those just looking for a good time, look no further than this when deciding what to listen to next.

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