How's Life?: NEDDA SOU
Raised in a Moroccan household, Amsterdam-based Nedda Sou's earliest musical memories are drenched in Arabic pop, funk, and Moroccan hip hop. That sound led her to the club—first as a dancer, then as a DJ, and always as a seeker of something real. Nedda is a creative force who knows the power of movement on the dance floor and in society. With a no-nonsense approach to uniting people, Nedda is chasing a myth that’s due for a comeback: a no-phones dance floor, pulsing with the raw energy of bodies and social circles colliding. Now, as both selector and storyteller, she’s making space for honest expression—on the floor and far beyond it. Happy to have her as our next guest.
Hi! Can you please introduce yourself to our readers? Hi! I’m NEDDA SOU—a Moroccan Amazigh woman raised in the Netherlands. I’m an artist with a deep love for frequencies that move, connect, and make you feel. At heart, I’m a club kid. The world has always made more sense to me in nightlife. How did you get into music? Can you take us back to the beginning of your musical journey? Music’s always been a part of me, even before I had the words to express it. I can’t remember a single family gathering without music—it’s always food, music, people, and then the bodies just move. So, it was never a matter of if I’d be into music, just when and how. Nightlife played a huge role in shaping me. In the club, I felt like I could finally just be. No shrinking, no shifting—just belonging. Culture has always been my default setting. It’s all intertwined: music, movement, language, expression. In a Western framework, everything is broken down and compartmentalized, but in culture, it flows together. Even in conversation, the body becomes part of the rhythm. Was there one album or artist your parents used to play that stuck with you? Did it influence your taste in music? My mom used to play a lot of Ahidus, which is Amazigh folklore music. I still listen to it sometimes—everything about it reminds me of home. There wasn’t just one album—it was more like a ratatouille of sounds. Some music I chose consciously, but a lot of it shaped me through cultural nostalgia or because it was playing in the background during key moments in my life. The consciously chosen and cultural music brings me joy in the music itself, while the songs tied to core memories, like late 90s/2000s pop, pull me more into a reflective, nostalgic mood. It’s not necessarily what I’d play now, but it’s part of me.
What’s been your favorite gig to date, and what made it so special? Honestly, there are very few gigs I don’t enjoy—but that’s also because I don’t say yes to just anything. That said, I’m still buzzing from my set at Nowadays in NYC. When the staff, the equipment, the programming, and the whole vibe of the club are aligned, it becomes magnetic. I was on the lineup with two of my favorite people—JADALAREIGN and Ashtrejinkins—and the crowd was so open to connecting and letting go. It was one of those “you had to be there” nights. If you were hosting a stage, who would be on your dream line-up? Lawd… where do I even begin? Hieroglyphic Being, JADALAREIGN, Julion De’Angelo, Mr. G, CTRLzora, Ash Lauryn, Ashtrejinkins, John Agesilas, Specter, Theo Parrish, Scan 7, Mefftah, Deon Jamar, Celeste, Jay Daniel, Charmaine, Kai Alce, Peven Everett, Monique Bingham, Elements of Life… and honestly, the list just keeps going…… Where’s your favorite place to shop for records, and why? Red Light Records. I have a soft spot for second-hand records, and Red Light always delivers. Their selection just aligns with my taste—every time I dig there, I come out with gems.
What’s your current favorite record to play in front of a crowd? When would you drop it in a set, and what makes it so good? I wouldn’t say I have one specific favorite track—but there’s always some acid involved. Acid just gets me hella hyped and happy. It’s like an audio battery for my body and soul. Whenever the energy feels like the crowd's ready to go deeper, that’s when I drop it. It always hits. Everyone has a guilty pleasure track — what’s yours? Phil Collins – In the Air Tonight, and R&B tracks from the 90s/2000s. What’s the number one thing on your bucket list (not related to DJing)? To live off the grid for a while—on a farm close to the beach. Any advice for beginners looking to get into DJing? Start by deepening your love and respect for music. Learn the stories behind the artists and the cultures you’re playing—it adds so much meaning to what your place is in the landscape. Authenticity might not always be understood right away, but it has a staying power that trends can’t touch. Trust your emotional intuition more than any imagined expectation. Play what moves you, not just what you think people want to hear. And above all, be patient. Even if you’ve got all the right ingredients, if you don’t give them time, the final dish won’t be something you’re proud to serve. Let your sound and your identity marinate. Thank you for being part of this, Nedda!
