Dems, the Afro House and Afro Tech DJ and producer, has crafted a signature sound that blends lush melodies, driving rhythms and an irresistible energy for the dancefloor. With champions like Black Coffee, Bun Xapa, Kasango and Marco Carola, Dems has made his mark on respected labels including Into Art, Olumo and Under The Hat. Early anthems such as ‘Exchange’, ‘Mandalorian’ and ‘Money Check’ set the tone for his musical identity, while later releases like ‘B.A.B.E’, ‘We Move, We Dance’ and ‘Malfunction’ pushed his artistry further, culminating in the electrifying collaborative single ‘Without Borders’, released 16 October 2026 on Afroholic and Amajoyo Records.
In this exclusive written interview, Dems shares insights into his creative journey, the making of his latest track, and what the future holds.
Hey, thanks so much for sitting down with us today – what’s been the absolute best part of your week so far, music aside?
At the moment my wife is due to give birth to our first child. So as most DJs and producers are prepping for ADE, im at home making sure the baby room is done, we have enough diapers and making everything baby proof haha
What is your Primary Role(s) in Electronic Music? For Example, are you a DJ, vocalist, producer etc.
I’m a DJ and producer
What is your preferred main electronic music genre/style, and what makes you resonate with it?
I dont really attach myself to one genre. I discovered Afro House very soon into dj’ing but also love the afro tech and melodic house side. That’s why I implement those 3 genre’s when making music.
If someone wanted to understand the real vibe of you as an artist beyond the music, what’s one story from your everyday life that says it all?
I am an energetic person. I can’t sit still (except when producing haha). I try to enjoy life as much as possible every day. I like being with like minded and creative people, talk about whatever topic, share ideas but also enjoy being at home with my wife and do nothing from time to time.
Describe your typical studio/production workflow (e.g., hardware vs. software focus, favorite gear, creative starting point).
How I work depends on how I feel that day. I might have seen a clip of a track and feel inspired by it. Once a week I just open ableton and try out whatever i havent tried. Random plugins, creating loops in a different way then i normally do, try to recreate a sound that I’ve heard. I somehow always start with the drums. I try to get a groove going before adding anything else, because the groove is the life of the track.
I use a lot of different plugins, but recently I’ve also started creating plugins and extensions myself. I recently recreated the Teile Revolo as a plugin for example. So a day in the studio is never really the same.
Which major music platform (Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, Soundcloud, etc.) generates the most engagement for your work?
At this moment it’s spotify and soundcloud.
Do you prefer performing Live Sets (using hardware/controllers to manipulate sound) or DJ Sets (mixing tracks)? Why?
I like DJ sets, since I don’t have the knowledge and equipment to do live sets. However I do want to learn it and see if I could someday use it in my sets.
What’s one underrated production skill you wish more electronic artists focused on?
I think there are 2. One is to learn a little bit about music theory. It can really help to know what sounds good together without having to guess. Just makes you more confident when making music. The other skill, which is the hardest, is to try and find your own sound. And that can take years but I think your own sound is just looking at your favorite artist, taking something from each of those and implementing that into your own way.
Do you see AI as a threat to musicians, a helpful collaborator, or something else? How do you plan to keep your music relevant as the industry changes rapidly because of these tools? By embracing AI, avoiding it, or taking a different approach?
I think AI is here to stay. Like in any other business, it will take some jobs from people. However, I think that the human touch in music is something that will always make the difference when comparing it to AI generated music. But even the biggest artists use AI vocals, so you can either fight it or use it to your advantage.
If you are a producer, how often do you utilize generative AI tools in your current process?
The most use of ai i do is using it to split a track into stems haha. But since ableton has that feature by default i dont really use it that much. I do use it to code my own plugins or extensions
What is the single biggest challenge facing electronic music artists in the next 5 years?
I think its becoming a lot harder to be seen. The amount of people who want to be a dj or producer is growing by the day, especially with help from ai. And of course the use of social media is something that is important but also hard. The beginning of your career is all you; producing, making content, reaching out to people, getting your music out, branding etc.
How would you describe your creative process when a new beat or synth line first clicks?
Whenever i have a sound that feels good, i just go into hyperfocus haha. Sometimes you just find all the right samples, loops and sounds for that track and you’re able to build out the whole track in a few hours. Truth be told, this does not always happen.
What’s the toughest technical or industry obstacle you’ve faced as an electronic artist?
I think the hardest part is to maintain your socials and network. How to use your network is sometimes harder than to create a network.
If you could revisit one decision from your artistic journey and do it differently, what would it be?
None, I am where I am because of every decision I made.
What’s your current favorite piece of electronic gear or plugin that you can’t stop playing with in the studio?
I bought the Akai Midi mixer. The knobs and faders are linked to my groups and plugins so I have a more natural feel when mixing or making automations.
If you could change one thing about the modern music industry overnight, what would it be?
I recently saw Adam Port doing a show when nobody was using their phone. That clip just gave me goosebumps. That’s what music and clubbing should be about. Connecting with the music, dj and crowd.
What’s one unexpected influence, maybe from outside music, that keeps showing up in your work?
The biggest influence for me is collabing with other artists. I always take one or two things with me whenever I get out of a session, because you always learn from somebody else.
Event Details
Amajoyo presents Afroholic ADE
Friday, 23 October 2026
Soulkitchen Amsterdam, Amstelstraat 30
23:30–05:00
Lineup: Nitefreak | De La Noise | Wilson Kentura | Thami The Unknown | Elson Soares | Randoree | Marinus
Stream ‘Without Borders’:
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