The Illustrious Blacks Whip Up a Mix That Will Make You Soar

Afrofuturist electronic duo The Illustrious Blacks dropped off a mix filled to the brim with uplifting house grooves that will help kick your summer off in style.

Monstah Black and Manchildblack found love on the dancefloor over a decade ago and quickly bonded over their shared passion for radical art and music. Soon after, they formed The Illustrious Blacks, a project rooted in championing their Blackness and Queerness while also dedicated to inspiring others to live freely, proudly, and out loud. They’ve taken the scene by storm since then, delivering genre-defying releases and throwing down wicked sets that have moved dancefloors.

The Illustrious Blacks have continued to pursue their mission in 2025, recently releasing their fresh Velocity EP on Soul Clap Records. This four-track ride features everything from ballroom-inspired house rhythms and bubbling acid basslines to Caribbean percussion and lyrical commentary on cultural appropriation and racial hypocrisy. You’ll quickly find yourself enamored by lead single “Suck My Disco,” while “Outlaw,” “Next To Me,” and “Turbulence” all stand tall and showcase the dynamic soundscapes this duo offers.

A big summer is ahead of The Illustrious Blacks with an upcoming appearance at Elements Festival and others, such as Vancouver’s Pride Closing Party and Glitterbox shows in Montreal and Ibiza, on the horizon. Yet before they start jet-setting around the planet, they’re soaring with a special mix for our Summer Sessions series. Press play, and you’ll fall in love with their funky grooves, perfect for any dancefloor throughout the season.

We titled this mix In-Flight Entertainment, in hopes that it raises the vibration of the listener and propels them into the stratosphere at high velocity.
The Illustrious Blacks

Listen to this exclusive guest mix from The Illustrious Blacks on SoundCloud and follow the duo on social media to stay in the know on upcoming releases and shows.