EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
For DJ and producer RAYZIR, music is more than just a career, it reflects his identity, culture, and passion. This year, as he gears up for his highly anticipated debut at Hï Ibiza, one of the globe’s most influential dance music venues, RAYZIR’s journey is set to reach a powerful milestone. A blend of cultural authenticity and raw energy pulses through his tracks, his DJ sets, and the unique platform he’s building, ZIRCLE. In this interview, we peel back the layers of RAYZIR’s approach to music, his philosophy on the power of cultural expression, and how he’s shaping the future of electronic music with each beat.
Having spent over 15 years in the electronic music scene, RAYZIR’s upcoming performance at Hï Ibiza is a moment of reflection, but also a new beginning. With such a long and colorful career, it’s not just about a culmination; it’s about the continuation of a story. When asked about stepping into the hallowed booth of Hï Ibiza, RAYZIR explains it’s a mix of pride and anticipation.
“It feels like a major achievement and the start of something even greater. It’s what I’ve been working toward for more than 15 years. It’s a moment to reflect on the journey and be proud of how far I’ve come, but also to embrace what lies ahead. With this set, I want to tell a story of rhythm, culture, and connection. A musical journey from where I began to where I’m going.”
The anticipation surrounding his performance highlights the artist’s deep connection to the pulse of music itself, a theme that resonates with his longtime experience in the underground dance scene. This year is a year of debuts, also adding to his list this year, besides Hï, is his debut on Marco Carola’s festival in his hometown, Music On. After getting years of support from the boss himself, he’s now part of the much-an- ticipated festival. Here, he learned the importance of rhythm and energy, something that’s become integral to his style.
“The Music On crowd truly feels the music. They don’t just dance, they listen. That made me realize how important it is to build energy gradually and maintain a steady groove. It taught me to trust the flow of a set and to stay present, always watching how people respond. Marco Carola has always been a big inspira- tion for me in that exact way.”
For RAYZIR, it’s not just about playing tracks; it’s about telling a story through sound, building a journey that transcends the music itself. But that journey isn’t just his; it’s one deeply influenced by his heritage, something he brought with him when he released on Cuttin’ Headz, a label renowned for its uncompromi- sing quality and global appeal. His debut EP under the label was a statement of cultural pride and emotional depth, blending Surinamese rhythms, salsa, soul, and electronic influences to produce a sound that feels both grounded in his roots and forward-thinking in its execution.
“This EP was deeply personal. It was built on the music I grew up with, blending Surinamese rhythms, soul, salsa, and electronic sounds. I wanted to share a part of my background and honor my culture. Through the music, I gave a voice to my roots, my childhood, and my fami- ly’s journey. With roots in South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia, I represent a mix of the world, and I try to re- flect that in everything I create.”
Cultural expression, however, is often a double-edged sword. In a genre where experimentation is often met with the pressure to conform to trends, RAYZIR was cautious about how much of his identity to reveal. But it was the support from mentors like The Martinez Brothers that gave him the confidence to fully embrace his cultural roots without reservation.
“My girlfriend and manager, Sara, described my style perfectly. ‘Electronic music with cultural influences.’ And yes, I sometimes wondered if going too deep into my culture would be misunderstood or rejected. But I chose to stay true to myself. The Martinez Brothers gave me the freedom to express that side without hol- ding back. They never asked me to change anything. They embraced my sound and encouraged me to go all in, which paid off.”
RAYZIR paints the portrait of an artist deeply in tune with his roots and driven by a purpose greater than the dancefloor. His upcoming debut at Hï Ibiza isn’t just a professional milestone—it’s a spiritual checkpoint, a reflective pause in a journey spanning over 15 years. What’s striking is how he doesn’t see this as a peak, but as a launchpad for new horizons. There’s humility in his tone, but also a sense of earned pride. His vision for the set—a narrative built on rhythm, culture, and connec- tion—reflects a DJ who isn’t there to just move bodies, but to move minds and hearts as well.
Equally compelling is RAYZIR’s understanding of the Music On ethos, where groove and patience take center stage. He captures the unspoken bond between DJ and crowd with clarity, noting how presence, flow, and subtle energy shifts shape his current approach. His admiration for Marco Carola is evident, not as a name-drop but as an acknowledgment of influence. It’s in these details that RAYZIR demonstrates his deep respect for underground values: discipline, sensitivity, and intentionality.
This isn’t someone chasing trends—he’s cultivating something lasting.
Perhaps the most powerful element of the interview lies in how RAYZIR channels his cultural lineage into his music. His EP on Cuttin’ Headz is described with emotional weight, merging the rhythms of Suriname, soul,
salsa, and modern electronics. Rather than
presenting culture as a branding tool, RAYZIR frames it as a personal truth—one that required courage to express fully. The tension between self-expression and audience expectations is addressed with honesty, but also triumph, thanks to the creative freedom granted by The Martinez Brothers. In a scene that often demands conformity, RAYZIR’s refusal to dilute his identity marks him as a singular voice—one that reflects not just where he’s from, but where electro- nic music can go when it embraces its full, global spectrum.
mixmagnl.com 27
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46
