Jean-Jez has made waves in Berlin’s underground for a good while now, with his Kedi Bounce parties (whom he co-founded) quickly becoming a celebratory cornerstone of community and culture. His DJing style and production approach act as a core expressional loop, with Jean-Jez embracing a multitude of styles and sounds with both. Bridging the gap between house, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Afro-Latin and beyond, Jean-Jez is all about nurturing the collective joy found within music – either through his own tunes or deep in the mix at a Kat Nip party.
Hot off the heels of his ‘Soul Notion’ EP on Soul Quest we sat down with the Berlin based DJ and producer Jean-Jez to discuss his musical journey so far!
WWD: Hey Jean-Jez, great to meet you! What’s happening in your world at the minute?
At the moment, I have a lot of DJ gigs coming up this month, and I’m super excited about all of them! First up is Kedi Bounce’s Kat Nip Vol. 11 at Paloma on February 7th who we have invited no other than Anele from Rafiki Berlin. Then, I’ll be making my debut at Kit Kat on the 17th, hosted by the amazing team at Electric Monday. On February 22nd, we’ll have our debut at Kreuz Werk, a rising new venue, hosted by our close friends and family at ANIMA. It’s going to be a packed month!
Aside from the gigs, I’ve been working hard on the release of my EP, Soul Notion. A massive shout-out to the Soul Quest family for their unwavering support and constant push I couldn’t do it without you all!
WWD: Congratulations on releasing the ‘Soul Notion’ EP on Soul Quest Records. Talk us through the release?
Soul Notion is a project that truly comes from the heart. It embodies the core musical principles I hold dear—emotion, depth, and connection.
The EP opens with ‘Did You Want to Dance!,’ a track that wraps you in a deep melodic embrace before expanding with brassy accents, hypnotic drum patterns, and vocal samples that pull you into a higher state of consciousness. It’s a journey that starts inward and then radiates outward.
Next, ‘Take Me to the Moon’ takes center stage with a bold piano lead and uptempo drums that bring energy and flair. The vocals add an airy, almost otherworldly quality, creating a sense of emotional escapism. This track is about letting go and allowing the music to carry you somewhere beyond the everyday.
Closing out the EP is ‘What Is It, Tell Me,’ a track that builds from a deep, resonant low end and evolves with the introduction of a soulful jazz guitar. It’s a moment of introspection and wonder, designed to pull you in and leave you lost in its spell. As a finale, it’s everything I wanted it to be emotional, immersive, and unforgettable.
With Soul Notion, I wanted my soul to resonate through my music. This EP is a reflection of my journey, blending my favorite styles jazz, soul, and club music into a cohesive experience. It’s a record that’s full of feeling, one that invites you to return and discover something new with each listen. I hope it connects with you as deeply as it does with me.
WWD: How did the collaboration with the label come about?
I released my first EP with Flat White Records big shout-out to Chris for making it happen! Through that, Max from Soul Quest discovered a track from the EP via Jonna, who handles PR.
From one moment to the next, we started exchanging messages and tracks, bouncing ideas back and forth. Eventually, Max had a vision for an EP, so I sent over what I was working on. From a selection of seven tracks, we carefully chose three, adding an exclusive vinyl remix to one of them shaping what is now the Soul Notion EP.
WWD: For those who are just discovering your music, what do you hope they feel or experience when they listen to your productions?
No matter where or when you are listening to it, I hope you can connect to it, sad, happy, excited, overwhelmed, loved, no matter what emotions you have during listening to it i hope your soul has a notion
WWD: Can you share some insight into your creative process when producing music? Do you have any particular rituals or methods that help you stay inspired?
Listen to hours and hours of music analyzing the different layers and how they come together. I draw inspiration by starting with a sample I created from something that moved me that day. There’s no set formula for how I work; the only constant is that my mood and emotions always shape the way the music turns out.
WWD: Can you describe the connection between your music and your US roots, and how they continue to influence your music today?
I could write a really strong paper on this question because it is deeply connected to my roots. To keep it short and simple, my musical roots are shaped by what I listened to most while growing up.
I was aswell heavily influenced by the Grooveshark/SoundCloud era of music, with producers like J.ROBB, Kaytranada, Iamnobodi, (The Soulection era of music) Eventually J Dilla, DJ Spinna, and Ron Trent plays the biggest role models in shaping my sound.
WWD: You’ve recently moved to Berlin, how’s that going for you? Has the electronic music culture over there influenced your musical direction?
I’m always on the move when it comes to apartments. Berlin is one of the hardest cities in Europe to find a place in, and it’s slowly taking a toll on me. Other than that, though, things are going pretty great!
Berlin has definitely influenced me in so many ways. The club culture here is like no other, and it’s had a huge impact on my music. Since moving here, my sound has gotten faster and less experimental, and I’ve gained a deeper understanding of what club music truly is. Coming from a background in Jazz, R&B, and Hip-Hop genres that already carry so much depth and are deeply rooted in African culture. Berlin has given me a new way to channel that into a club setting. It’s allowed me to keep experimenting with my creativity while building a foundation that resonates with a crowd on the dancefloor. It’s all about creating something that connects with people collectively, and Berlin has taught me how to do that in a way I never could have imagined.
WWD: Give us your top 3 tips of things to do in Berlin?
If you’re visiting Berlin, the nightlife is a must-experience. Some of the top dance floors to check out include Panorama Bar (Berghain), Heideglühen, Wintergarten (Sisyphos), Globus (Tresor), and Open Air (Else), each offering a unique vibe from euphoric house to deep, underground beats. Don’t miss out on iconic parties like Kat Nip by Kedi Bounce, QS1, ANIMA, Small Great Things, MULTISEX and Fandango which keep the city’s dance scene buzzing with eclectic sounds and high-energy grooves.
For a more relaxed experience, take some time to visit Tempelhof, the former airport now transformed into a public park. This sprawling space is perfect for a picnic, biking, or skating, offering a unique atmosphere with its historical significance and wide-open grounds. It’s the ideal place to unwind after a night of dancing or simply soak in the Berlin vibe on a sunny day.
And last but definitely not least—if you’re a peanut lover (apologies to anyone with a peanut allergy) BASMAH in Kotti is, without a doubt, the best Sudanese Imbiss in Berlin!
WWD: What has been the highlight of your career so far? Can you talk about a specific moment or accomplishment that stands out as particularly meaningful to you?
Production-wise, definitely, releasing my first-ever vinyl is one of my biggest accomplishments so far.
From a DJ perspective, playing at legendary clubs like Sisyphos, Watergate, Renate, and OXI has been a huge achievement. Additionally, reaching a milestone with the 10th volume of our Kedi Bounce party series, Kat Nip, has been incredibly special.
WWD: As someone deeply rooted in the deep house scene, what state is it in right now? What notable artists are emerging?
In my opinion the deep house scene is constantly evolving, intertwining with many other genres while adapting to new trends. Deep house is the fundamental core for most of the soulful, minimal, progressive, and even tech house we hear now a days. There are two sides of this coin and its a very interesting one
One side you have commercial deep house music which has always kind of been there, for example; Searching for a “deep house mix” on YouTube mostly leads to commercial, mainstream-friendly deep house due to algorithm driven curation, chill/lounge style mixes, and big-label influence. These mixes are optimized for mass appeal rather than underground authenticity. And with less underground authenticity the soul in the music seems to vanish.
On the other side of the coin, you have a deep-rooted sense of what true deep house represents; Music that stays connected to its origins, emphasizing soulful melodies, intricate rhythms, and a raw, emotional depth. This side of the genre thrives in underground clubs, intimate venues, and independent labels, where artists and DJs prioritize artistic expression over commercial success. Here, the music often incorporates elements of jazz, funk, and soul, staying true to the genre’s roots while still evolving organically. This underground scene fosters a sense of community and authenticity, where the music is not just heard but felt, creating a profound connection between the artist and the audience. While it may not always reach the masses, this side of deep house remains the heartbeat of the genre, preserving its soul and ensuring its continued evolution in meaningful ways.
WWD: When you are not busy with music, what might we find you doing?
It’s crazy to think but about 90% of my life consists of music and me being around music no matter if I’m at work, or socializing, producing, digging, mixing, clubbing or even walking. The other 10% of the time I am most likely playing video games, yapping or playing some sort of sport.
WWD: Finally, tell us about three of your best dancefloor fillers…
Here are my latest dancefloor fillers tracks that never fail to get people moving and take the energy to another level!
WWD: Sick picks! Thanks for the chat 🙂
The ‘Soul Notion’ EP is available here