about us
ABOUT DONT PRETND
Created in 2025 by French DJ Flave (FR), DONT PRETND is a music platform and collective designed to showcase the most passionate and promising DJ producers in House Music. Through exclusive DJ sets recorded in our fully equipped studios, we aim to highlight their talent by creating unique and high-quality content that reflects their sound, style, and creativity.
Using a hybrid mixing system combining vinyl and digital turntables, we offer a fresh take on traditional formats: putting authenticity back to the art of mixing, where energy and technique come first over image and appearance.
DONT PRETND is not a label, it's a mindset that celebrates uniqueness, boldness, and transparency in the world of House music. Discover talented artists through their authentic sound, listen to their unique hybride DJ sets, explore our radio playlist, and get in touch to record your own mix sessions.
Be part of the most authentic community in House music.
THE ORIGINS
“Don't Pretend” carries a strong message of authenticity and sincerity, both for artists and audiences.
From an artistic point of view, it's about promoting DJs who are truly passionate about music, who have mastered their art and prioritize quality over appearance. The concept is opposed to the culture of appearances, embodied by a superficial image of DJing focused on social media rather than performance and technique.
From an audience perspective, “Don't Pretend” invites everyone to truly enjoy music and experiences, to live in the moment rather than simply showing it off on social media.
The DONT PRETEND eye logo symbolizes truth and sincerity, inviting us to see beyond appearances. In a world often guided by image and trends, this eye embodies our commitment to authenticity and artistic integrity.
It represents connection, emotion, and intensity: through a glance, through music.
THE STUDIO
At the heart of DONT PRETND is a studio designed as a true stage for expression, where every detail of the decor extends our vision: putting the artist and his talent at the center.
Equipped with a professional setup combining Pioneer CDJ-3000 digital turntables, Technics SL-1210 MKII turntables, and a Pioneer DJM-750MK2 mixer, the setup offers a hybrid mixing system designed to reveal the true artistry and skill of each DJ.
Its sound system, inspired by stage monitors, guarantees an immersive and precise sound for mixing.
The studio's wood and green decoration embodies our commitment to nature and authenticity, far from artifice.
Finally, the television placed behind the DJ symbolizes the boundary between image and truth: it puts the DJ in front of the screen, allowing them to shine through their presence rather than existing solely through the screen.
THE TEAM
FLAVE (FR)
Founder of DONT PRETND, Paris-based DJ and producer Flave (FR) brings his passion for House, Afro House, and Tech House into a broader vision: one that connects artists through authenticity and collaboration. Driven by a deep love for create and sharing music, he shapes the identity of DONT PRETND through his own studio and the contents he shares on the platform. Guided by a philosophy of mutual support, his goal is to help every artist rise together toward the light, where talent and truth take center stage.
JEREMY LACOSTE
Graphic designer and visual art director of DONT PRETND, Jérémy Lacoste (aka. Studio Fatalis) is the creative mind behind the collective’s logo and distinctive visual identity. Based in Paris, he has built a signature style rooted in urban culture and deeply influenced by music. His work bridges street aesthetics with refined contemporary design, reflecting the bold spirit of the project. Beyond DONT PRETND, his artistic eye has captured the live energy of renowned artists such as Lomepal and Tessae in concert.
the platform and collective that brings authenticity to every beat.
DONT PRETND is more than a collective, it’s a living universe where every sound, image, and performance tells a unique story. Dive into our DJ sets to feel the raw energy of our talent, discover our artists and their vision through their creations, and let our Spotify playlists carry the experience wherever you are.
