He loves his cats, he loves classy vibes—okay, we admit it, Jengi has captured our hearts. With a passion for blending the timeless grooves of house music with modern production flair, Jengi has rapidly ascended the ranks of the electronic music scene. Known for his infectious beats and an ability to make the crowd move, this Dutch DJ and producer brings a fresh energy to the dance floor, inspired by the vibrant history of electronic music.
Jengi’s journey in music began over a decade ago, evolving from experimenting with various styles to establishing his unique sound that pays homage to the roots of house music while pushing its boundaries forward. His latest single, “Da Feeling,” is a nod to the classic, groovy vibes of the ’90s, reminding us why we fell in love with house music in the first place. It’s always a treat to dive back into the old days, isn’t it?
In our interview, Jengi opens up about the inspiration behind “Da Feeling,” his creative process, and the importance of musical freedom in collaborations.
Photography by Sacha Hoebergen
“Da Feeling” revives a 90s house classic. Can you share more about what drew you to this particular track and era?
I’ve been fascinated by old school house for a few years, and a vocal from Sweet Tee was the perfect fit to delve into that style of music-making. Rap vocals from the 80s are always fun to play around with on house music tracks.
And why did you choose to revive “The Feeling” by Sweet Tee and Tin Tin Out for your debut on Three Six Zero Recordings?
GFDM and the label Three Six Zero Recordings came with the idea to use the Sweet Tee acapella, they asked me to give it my own twist.
You’ve mentioned that after a “rollercoaster year post Bel Mercy,” you’ve been changing your BPMs back to where you started your musical journey. Can you tell us more?
I’ve been making dance music for 10 years and was switching styles several times, Bel Mercy is one of these experiments I did. It blew up eventually and so did my touring schedule, but I still had no idea what to do. I was a bit rebellious at the time and I played different stuff that sometimes didn’t connect with me. Finally after 1 year I took some time off to work on new dj sets and new music (including Da Feeling) which turned out to be the same genre that I used to make & play 10 years ago: House Music.
“It’s difficult to predict because the music industry is evolving rapidly. The future holds endless possibilities.”
“Da Feeling” is described as a mix of nostalgia and cutting-edge contemporary production. How do you balance the respect for the original track’s essence while injecting your own modern touch? Were there any particular challenges in doing so?
In terms of mixing, I aimed for a modern sound while preserving the classic feel with iconic 90s elements like the piano sample, bass, organs, etc. The challenge was to create a unique sound that stands out from the crowd.
Working with other artists, like in ‘Da Feeling’ with GFDM, is really good. What’s one great thing about making music together?
Musical freedom.
The track celebrates an iconic vocal by Sweet Tee from ’87. What significance do vocal samples from past decades hold for you, and how do you approach integrating them into your music to ensure they resonate with today’s audience?
Everyone wants old/known vocals; it’s timeless. Everything gets covered and remixed. It’s a bit of a shame, but that’s just how it goes. A vocal from Sweet Tee stands out more originally because it’s not super well-known. However, I do know that old rap vocals on house music is super popular. Nowadays, hard-house is making a comeback, and other genres are using a lot of old-school rap vocals as well.
What are your main sources of inspiration when creating new music?
Making music that fits the vibe of my DJ sets is key to my creative process.
When I see how tracks by other artists light up the crowd, it gives me inspiration. It’s that energy I aim for, and it keeps me driven in the studio. Listening to other genres helps me creating too. Things that are not related to music helps me a lot (clearing your mind), like cooking, having a beer with friends etc.
“I definitely chose music. I still have a lot of freedom in my work.”
I get the feeling that anything is possible in electronic music right now, but techno seems to be especially popular among younger audiences. How do you see the current landscape of electronic music, and where do you think it’s headed in the next few years?
It’s difficult to predict because the music industry is evolving rapidly. Trends change every couple of years now. I’ve witnessed various genres emerge, from drum n bass and trance to stutter-house and afro-house. The future holds endless possibilities. Perhaps dubstep and trap music will make a resurgence in the electronic scene, but who’s to say for sure?
After finishing a track or project, how do you measure its success personally, beyond streams and commercial performance?
If I can genuinely enjoy it myself (which can be quite challenging sometimes), that’s a personal success
I noticed your Instagram page is quite focused on your music with minimal personal details. Do you view social media primarily as a platform for your music, opting to keep your private life separate?
I’ve never been that person who seeks attention or approval on social media, so I won’t do it for my music page too. It’s just not for me. People on social media follow me solely for my music
Did you choose music, or did music choose you?
I definitely chose music. I still have a lot of freedom in my work.
Follow Jengi for more:
www.instagram.com/iamjengi
www.facebook.com/iamjengi
www.jengimusic.com
twitter.com/iamjengi
