afem syko
Finding Groove in a World Obsessed with Hardness Afem Syko
Afem Syko has lived on both sides of techno’s current divide. He cut his teeth during the Hard Techno explosion, but in recent years, he’s stepped away from the louder-is-better race to carve out a sound rooted in trance, flow and groove. The decision wasn’t without risk. Still, for Afem, it was essential: a return to authenticity and the joy of dance music as he had first experienced it.
He recalls how his early sets already carried playful and groovy textures, even while the pressure of the scene pushed him toward faster, harder sounds. For a time, he went along with that current as an upco- ming artist. Still, eventually he realized that the relentless direction of Hard Techno no longer reflected what he truly felt inside.
“Looking back at my sets from a few years ago, I wasn’t always playing hard. My sound was energetic and raw, yet still playful and groovy. However, over time, the techno scene evolved and became increasingly challenging, with a growing influence from hardstyle and hardcore. It felt like the only thing that matte- red on line-ups was who could play harder and faster… After many conversations with my team and with people I trust, I decided to take a risk, change direction, and return to a style that truly represents me, regardless of outside expectations.”
Shifting sound comes with its own obstacles. Fans, promoters, and peers can be slower to adapt when an artist changes course. For Afem, the early months of this transition tested his conviction.
“Going harder as an artist is actually quite easy: promoters, events, and the crowd usually adapt very quickly to it. But moving the opposite direction turned out to be much more challenging… It takes a great deal of courage to stay true to your plan and not deviate from it. I had to accept that some fans would drop off. But honestly, I’m really grateful for my core fanbase, which is super open-minded and can appreciate different styles in one night.”
That core support eventually gave birth to a new identity: “Bouncy Syko,” a nickname that stuck due to the playful, off-beat basslines in his latest productions. Authenticity, he insists, is everything.
Between Hard Techno and Trance/Groove
“What I play now is still very energetic and driving, but the feeling is happier, more flowing, even more sensual. The first thing I noticed was the way people move and dance. It’s less aggressive, with more smiles, and it feels more relaxed and expressive… That being said, I don’t think the key values are oppo- sites at all. Both cultures share the same foundations: respect, love, caring, and togetherness.”
This openness between styles is what fuels his creativity. After a set, he often wanders through festi- vals to soak up completely different energies. Listening to all kinds of genres, seeing other stages at festivals, soaking up their energies, and embracing the musical beauty... for Afem, that’s the real life- blood of electronic music. For Afem, that’s the real lifeblood of electronic music.
Although he’s moved into more melodic territory, Afem hasn’t abandoned the technical and structural lessons that Hard Techno taught him.
“Hard techno taught me how to build and release tension, how to structure a track so it keeps people on edge, and how to deliver that rush of energy at exactly the right time. I still use those techniques today, just in a different context.”
His current productions lean heavily into melody, vocals, and bounce, often beginning with a strong central idea that locks the track into focus. For Afem, producing has become as much a spiritual ritual as a technical exercise.
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AUTHOR: SERGIO NIÑO PHOTOGRAPHY: MATHIS KRÜGER
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