The Sunset Beats Festival is coming to Halifax this weekend. Local DJ Madison Saldarriaga, better known as Badi, will perform her first major set at the fast-growing music festival on June 29. This marks her breakthrough moment in her unconventional, double-life journey from the classroom to the club.
“I feel like I’m living the Hannah Montana life,” Badi laughed. “I’m DJing Sunday night, and I’m back teaching primary school Monday morning.”
Originally from the Annapolis Valley, Badi describes her hometown as quiet and cozy but limited when it came to creative opportunities. “The Valley was very quaint. I love where I’m from, but it’s a very small, small town—there are farms, but not much going on,” she said. “So this is me living my dream.”
That dream took shape in Halifax, where she lives, teaches, and mixes deep house and techno tracks after hours. She credits her husband with first introducing her to DJ culture, and since then, she’s carved out space for herself in the city’s vibrant nightlife.
The gig at Sunset Beats wasn’t handed to her, she earned it through old-school hustle. “This happened because I went to a local event at a shoe store called Market Price,” she explained. “They give DJs a chance to get their music heard. I was there networking, talking to people, and I ended up meeting the guy who runs the festival. I sent him some of my music — and the rest is history.”
That “guy” was Kola Hassan, co-founder of the Sunset Beats Festival. Hassan, who moved to Halifax in 2023 for what was meant to be a short stay, quickly found himself inspired by the city’s potential.
“I came to Halifax and was looking for a spot playing Afro Beats. That search turned into a vision,” Hassan said. “We wanted to harmonize different genres — house, Afro Beats, techno — and create synergy. We wanted to celebrate everyone with music, culture, and vibes.”
For Hassan, adding Badi to the lineup was an easy decision. “When we met Badi at an event, we knew she would be a great addition,” he said. “We want to bring in a new audience and push the culture forward. Music is a universal language, and this festival is about bringing people together.”
That message resonates deeply with Badi. “Bringing local talent to the stage with other bigger artists is exciting,” she said. “It’s always fun to watch how people do their thing. That’s a vibe, to learn and to showcase your art.”
As Halifax’s creative scene continues to grow, Badi believes the city is on the verge of something big.
“Halifax has the bones for great festivals,” she said. “We have the talent, and now we’re starting to bring some big names to the city. I love to see the growth.”
Outside the club, her life as a teacher adds another layer to her story. “My kids at school know what I do; they know I’m eclectic. I even play them my sets sometimes,” she said. “My hope is to bring in a mixer one day and show them I’m a real person outside of being a teacher. I want them to know they can do anything.”
She also credits her school community with being an unexpected source of support. “The parents love it. That’s such a blessing,” she added.
Now, she’s calling on the city to show up for her, for local talent, and for the scene. “I hope to see a lot of faces from Halifax coming together — to support the artists, the vendors, and just vibe,” Badi said. “Let’s put Halifax on the DJing map.”
This article appears in Jun 1-30, 2025.