ONE TO WATCH: PASSION DEEZ
The inimitable Passion Deez is best known as a DJ who crafts an alchemy of bass-centric sounds, ranging from 2-step and dark garage to instrumental grime and jungle. With over 10 years of experience broadcasting on community and pirate radio, Passion Deez is committed to creating sustainable spaces to showcase his ideas and influences. We’re honored to have him in our new One to Watch series!
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got into music? Hi, my name is Passion DEEZ. Zimbabwe-born, London-raised, Amsterdam-based party starter, ass shaker, and semi-retired raver. I was always obsessed with the radio growing up, so I always wanted to be on the radio. While growing up in London, I listened to former pirate stations like Jackie and Rinse, and eventually, I started doing my own shows on pirate stations. I was kind of in the last generation of pirate radio before they all transitioned to online platforms, so I got to be part of a radio culture that was still quite close to the foundations of DIY broadcasting. Back then, it was all CDs and vinyl, so I would burn CDs each week and come to the station with whatever was new. I never really had access to gear, so I learned to play in front of everyone. After a while, my DJ partner and I started getting shows supporting big names in London and beyond. It all stems from the radio. Now, what I do is more centered around clubs and festivals, but the sentiment is the same, and I make sure to get inasmuch radio time as possible. What’s the most memorable reaction you’ve received from the audience during a set? I’ve been playing for far too long to have just one standout moment, but this festival season has shown me some of the most insane reactions. One that stands out was during sunset at Sunny Side Up Festival on the beach in Texel. I looked out from the booth and saw about 15 people on their friends' shoulders, having the time of their lives. I don’t often see DJs getting that kind of reaction, but I think the current pacing of my sets—similar to the punk bands I grew up listening to—creates a lot of tension on the dancefloor, which can whip people into a frenzy. I play hard and fast, so I want my audience to commit to getting a bit sweaty and exercising their demons with me. Are there any other genres or artists outside of the music you play that you’re particularly into right now? I play everything, so I’m not sure if there’s anything outside my genres that I’m super into, but I used to be a chef for seven years. I’ve been traveling more this year than ever before—from India to Korea, Paris to Berlin, and Croatia to Stockholm. I’m currently fascinated by seafood and how different cultures showcase their local produce. It’s interesting to see whether people let the quality of the produce speak for itself, showcase techniques to enhance it, or disguise lesser-quality produce in a sauce. This same mentality can apply to the way I play a song; sometimes I let a song breathe, and sometimes I layer it with vocals or prepare a three-deck blend if the drop doesn’t hit.
What do you think are the biggest challenges for new DJs breaking into the industry today? The biggest challenge is standing out from the crowd. Nowadays, anyone can play music, and with certain creative tools, anyone can mix. What people should focus on is creating a unique narrative and brand, showcasing their own passions rather than what is commercially viable. This approach allows for longevity and the space to tell great stories while you’re here! Bucket list gig? After doing this for 15 years, I don’t really have a bucket list gig. I’d love to go to Coachella or Burning Man more for the environment, but I’ve achieved everything I wanted to—playing on the radio, in clubs, and at festivals. Now it’s about building up what I’m doing at my own party, Passion DEEZ & Friends, and creating a legacy that is bigger than just me. Where do you see yourself in the next five years, both musically and professionally? I see my party growing leaps and bounds over the coming years. We’ve been doing it for over a year now, and we’ve sold out eight editions in a row, taking it all across the city I call home. I want to keep scaling it up. We started doing merch that sold out both times we released it, in collaboration with Pointless James, and that’s something we both want to continue. I also did a pop-up shop on the Zeedijk in Amsterdam, which was a huge success, so I want to keep expanding beyond the dancefloor. My resident DJ is one of my best friends, and I’d like to make sure she has ample opportunities to perform, so I can enjoy her company as often as possible. Give us a track that shaped you and why. Enter Shikari - The Jester This band was quite formative for me. I remember running around my bedroom, doing air guitar to this track and moshing on my own. It felt incredible to be so full of endorphins. When I had this record blasting through my speakers in my childhood bedroom, I knew I wanted to be a performer. Stream Passion Deez on Soundcloud
