Born in Lisbon, Portugal, DJEFF started out DJing at family gatherings and school parties. He soon found a DJ mentor who taught him to mix with CD players and then with classic turntables. It was not soon after that he began his first club residency and then became a freelance DJ
2010 saw his first release – a collaboration with DJ Silyvi titled “Canjika” released through Pandora Records. In 2011 he created his own label – Kazukuta Records – a home for his music, for new African talents and also the first electronic music label from Angola.
He went on to put out many releases thereafter, and 2018 performed in both Berlin’s Watergate and Paris’s Rex Club, as well as in Benetton’s Fabrica in Treviso, Italy, for a very special event devoted and creativity.
“Labyrinth” was released soon after, hitting #1 onTraxsource, a success that led to an exclusive mix for the online music store as well as an Instagram takeover for a full weekend. DJEFF’s première on Spinnin Deep’s catalogue with “Zugu Zugu”, a collaboration with Zakes Bantwini, was played by Pete Tong on BBC Radio One, and FIFA chose it as the soundtrack to Pogba’s entrance at the Champions League.
He has kicked off 2019 with “Ouagadougou” and looks set for another great year.
We catch up with him to chat about what makes him tick…
Tell us about your earliest musical memory?
1992. I was 8 years old and saw Michael Jackson’s only concert in Portugal, at Alvalade Stadium. I can see it in my mind until this day, MJ flying over the crowd as he left the stage – magical!
At what point in your life did you have that moment where you said to yourself “This is it. This is the type of music I want to create?”
The first time I performed live, in 2002, at a Portuguese club, the Scala in Sao Pedro do Estoril. That’s the first time I thought “this is going to be my life”. I was lucky enough to have made it.
Please list some of the most influential albums on your creative outlook and output:
“If You Wait” by London Grammar
“Rose Gold” by Shekhinah
“Homework” by Daft Punk
What key pieces of gear/software are you using to define your sound?
Logic Pro X
What inspires you outside of music? What do you turn to when the creative well runs a little low?
In all honesty? Life itself! But if I had to choose, the beach, sun and sea are maybe my strongest creative inspiration.
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, what do you prefer?
Performing live, any day. As I always say, I am a DJ that produces, not a producer that DJs.
As a music artist, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the business. Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?
I like meeting with people who work in the music industry but also have an undying love for music in their heart and are passionate about what they do.
Any new or upcoming artists on your radar? Who shouldn’t the world sleep on?
Homeboyz
What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
I’m really excited to perform at Fabric, in London, on October 11, to help celebrate their 20th anniversary!
Famous last words?
“Até já” (See you soon) My friends tell me that’s my go-to expression. When I’m chatting with someone, I always use “até já” – in the sense that when you least expect it we’ll be together once more. So… até já Afrotrax readers!
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