in a city teeming with musical legends and fresh talent, MAMI POPO is quickly carving out her own unmistakable space. The DJ and cultural connector has become one of Atlanta’s most exciting new voices in nightlife.
Raised on a steady diet of reggae and ’70s and ’80s R&B, MAMI POPO also carries a deep love for Southern rap in her sonic DNA. The result? Club nights that feel like global joyrides with a mixture of Southern bounce, soulful house or Afrobeats.
“I like weaving those influences together in a way that feels natural, not forced,” she explains. “That’s why I became an open-format DJ, staying in one lane just never made sense to me.”
Before commanding dance floors, MAMI POPO was behind the lens, documenting Atlanta’s nightlife as a photographer. That experience, she says, gave her a unique insight into the anatomy of a great party.
“I got to study how different crowds reacted to certain sounds and how DJs carried a room,” she reflects. “That perspective taught me the importance of reading people, what makes them stay on the floor, what makes them leave, what moments create connection.”
But it was stepping behind the decks in October 2024 that truly unlocked her voice. With a background in piano and percussion, the technical side of DJing came naturally. “Friends who heard me practice would say, ‘You need to do this in public,’” she recalls. “At first it was just for fun, but once I saw how people connected with my sets, I knew I’d found something I wanted to really build on.”
In under a year, MAMI POPO has spun at some of ATL’s most iconic spaces such as Rock Steady, The Trap Music Museum, Our Bar ATL, 3 Milli Productions, Cam Kirk Studios, and more. She’s also delivered standout sets for Boiler Room, R&B Only’s “Office Hours,” and ATL Japan, among others.
Though she’s just getting started, MAMI POPO has already had moments that feel like milestones, like her set for Save The Music honoring the late, great J Dilla.
“Playing in front of his mother and being part of such a special moment was surreal,” she says. “It reminded me why I love this it’s not just about parties, it’s about culture and history too.”
MAMI POPO’s magnetic presence isn’t just limited to event spaces, she’s building serious momentum online, too. Her TikTok clips, which offer bite-sized windows into her live sets and creative edits, have racked up over 121,000 likes and nearly 7,000 followers since her first post went viral in June.
“I’ve really leaned into TikTok by posting clips that feel authentic and bring people into the moment with me,” she says. “That consistency has helped me build a community there.”
A defining feature of MAMI POPO’s rise is her commitment to community and cultural authenticity. As a co-creator with Riddim Nation ATL, she helps build Caribbean-forward events that prioritize safety, celebration, and inclusivity.
“If someone’s never been to a MAMI POPO party, I’d say come with an open mind,” she offers. “One night might lean more dancehall or Afrobeats, the next could pull in Southern rap or house. But the vibe is always the same: good energy, space to dance, and music that makes you feel connected.”
