DJ McShellen envisioned a space where DJs could experiment and let loose. Cooler Room, a nod to the legendary “Boiler Room,” birthed out of London’s underground in 2010, McShellen saw an opportunity for the community and brought it to life with her own spin and with the help of Public Functionary.
“I wanted to have something that was mine, one of a kind and in its own lane. Having a DJ-centered space is nothing new; however, prior to my vision, I hadn’t heard of a DJ Art exhibit,” McShellen said. “It was all intentional, down to the DJs. Actually, especially the DJs.”
Spinning all night were the likes of DJ Kwey (producer of Samambo, an afrobeat dance party series), Yasmeenah (a trailblazing femme DJ and house music advocate), DJ Advance (MN nightlife veteran and pioneer), and, of course, DJ McShellen (Cooler Room creator)—all staples of the MN music scene.
According to McShellen, “This event was meant to be an experimental playground for DJs, where the music and party are more about showcasing the DJ and less about the crowd. The aim is to explore all kinds of Afro-diasporic music. With it, I wanted to bring DJs from different social spaces together to get back to enjoying the art of playing music.”
The booth sat in the center of the gallery as the 4 DJs rotated in their own playground, unbound to any one genre. Sounds ranged from hip hop to future beats and Afrobeat to house. Livestreams of the booth projected like art on each wall as partygoers danced the night away, sweating out any and all troubles.
The feedback throughout the night was overwhelmingly positive—something people never knew they needed. Attendee Taycier Elhindi exclaimed, “I hope Cooler Room continues for many years to come. This event is a testament to the art of DJing, showcasing the vital contributions DJs make to the music industry through exceptional curation and talent.”
DJ McShellen plans to bring the Cooler Room back to Minneapolis as soon as possible to continue making folks “feel something different, new, and freeing.”
For more info, follow @cooleroommpls on Instagram for updates. In the meantime, you can catch DJ McShellen at TAP IN, the new Black-owned restaurant, and DJing alongside DJ A-Trak at the Walker Art Center Avan Garden 2024 Gala in September.
Angel Akurienne welcomes reader comments at angelakurie@gmail.com.