Ankhoï, born in Morocco, developed an affinity for music at age twelve when he received a guitar and a Djembe from his parents. His musical journey began by performing in local folk groups during high school.
Photo Credit: Ankhoï – Official
At 15, Ankhoï discovered progressive music and was introduced to the synthesizer and other electronic instruments. After several months of practice, he developed a passion for DJing and decided to pursue it professionally.
Recognized by notable artists like Keinemusik, Black Coffee, Diplo, and Pete Tong, Ankhoï is a rising talent who produces a unique blend of Progressive House, Afro, and Melodic Techno. His remix of Keinemusik’s ‘Before the Flood’ was featured on BBC Radio 1, and his remix of Mayra Andrade’s ‘Afeto’ for Sony France has garnered international acclaim. Inspired by Andrade during his stay in Brazil, Ankhoï’s remix has received over 3 million Spotify streams. To him, music is not just a hobby, but a platform for creativity, live performance, and cross-cultural collaboration.
EG recently interviewed Ankhoï to explore his creative process, inspirations, recent releases, and future plans. Join us as we delve into the musical journey of this emerging talent.
EG: Hi Ankhoï! Welcome to EG. Congratulations on your recent release with Sony Music! When did you first get acquainted with Mayra Andrade and can you tell us about the creative process to getting the remix to the final version as we know it?
Ankhoï: Hello, thanks for the invite. During my time in Brazil, I came across Mayra’s music and was immediately amazed by her voice and artistic versatility. In early 2023, I ran into one of my favorite songs of hers, ‘Ilha do Santiago,’ and discovered from there ‘Afeto.’ At that moment, I knew I wanted to create something with it. After stretching the vocals and identifying the parts that could potentially be the focal points, everything fell into place naturally. I added a few elements to keep it groovy, deep, and interesting. The main idea was to make it sound simple and give enough room for the vocals to express themselves in a deeper way, this creates some moments to make it enjoyable on the dancefloor too.
EG: What do you look for when thinking of which track to revamp? Do you tend to go for original material that usually sits in a different genre?
Ankhoï: It usually starts off the same way for me: I come across a track from a different genre that I really vibe with, and I decide to tweak it to fit into my sets. My main goal is always to give tribute to the original track, capture its essence, and give it a new spin for a different audience to enjoy. Plus, I believe an important part of my job as a DJ is to expose people to new music they might not have heard before. That’s why I like to do it on sounds from various cultures, it keeps things fresh and interesting.
EG: Is there a word or an expression that describes your music style the best? And which record would you consider your signature tune?
Ankhoï: ‘Evocative,’ I hope. At least, I always try to create music that stirs up emotions and takes listeners on a journey. I don’t believe I have a signature tune (and I try to avoid having one), but if there’s a track, for now, that captures the essence of what I’m trying to achieve, it would be my remix for Keinemusik ‘Before the flood.’ It carries elements that can easily fit in other electronic genres, yet sound coherent, deep, simple, and enjoyable on the dancefloor and in the car.
EG: Morocco is your land, the center of your narrative. What have you absorbed in your music of the scene there and what are other places that you consider crucial for your artistic career?
Ankhoï: I believe that the music you grow up listening to and the sounds around you influence your productions in one way or another. For instance, in my drum patterns, you might notice some noisy, distorted percussion, which is likely influenced by my love for the “Bendir” sound. On a global scale, in Moroccan culture, we have a strong tradition of dancing and singing together at family and friend gatherings. I always try to create these types of moments in my music, and I believe there is always something to enjoy along and sing with your friends, whether a good hook, a nice melody, or other details… And, If I had to pick another important place, it would definitely be Paris. I’ve been living there for 11 years now, and it’s where I crafted my sound and produced almost all my tracks.
“I always try to create music that stirs up emotions and takes listeners on a journey”
EG: Our readers are very curious to know what your studio setup is. Is there a specific tool that you are most fond of that is leading in your productions?
Ankhoï: Mainly a computer, decent monitors or headphones, and a MIDI keyboard. Occasionally, I work without the keyboard to focus more on the sound itself rather than complicating the notes, to bring the feeling I’m looking for. As for tools, I don’t stick to specific ones. I’m always exploring new options and tweaking my workflow slightly to keep having fresh ideas.
EG: As a DJ, where would you say you are at the moment? What’s the unique spice to your sets?
Ankhoï: I’ve got a lot of exciting shows coming up, and I’m thrilled to be slowly gaining access to some really cool events, larger audiences, and communities of passionate people. As for my sets, I always make sure to set aside time to prepare new material, whether it’s new productions or some edits that suit the occasion. I also enjoy researching to discover fresh sounds and artists.
EG: Let’s sneak into your record bag: could you please share your favourite track for opening, peak time, and closure?
Ankhoï: It really depends on the vibe I’m feeling beforehand. Sometimes, I’ll kick things off with a couple of slower tunes to set the mood before rebuilding up, while other times, if the crowd seems eager for high energy, I’ll jump straight into it. However here are some of my favourites:
- For an early sexy opening: ‘Jamie Woon – Sharpness (J Paul Getto)’
- For a Housy peak time: ‘Jerome Sydenham & Dennis Ferrer – Sandcastles (Mark Knight & Martijn Ten Velden Remix)’
- For that closing track that sticks with you on the way home: ‘Angie Stone – Wish I didn’t miss you (John Junior remix)’
EG: Are there any artists who have been like a guide for you? Or specific records that influenced your approach to music?
Ankhoï: Hans Zimmer, I learned a lot from his productions: his approach to sound is unique. I feel that his creative possibilities are truly limitless, and he always strikes the perfect balance in telling stories through formats that sound simple yet are actually complex to achieve.
“I prefer playing in natural outdoor venues, especially during a beautiful sunrise or sunset. It’s the ultimate visual experience, in my opinion!”
EG: Today many artists are working on a visual part to give their work a more organic look. What is your experience with this and do you feel that digital art today can be a complement to the listener experience?
Ankhoï: It adds something to the overall experience. Though, I believe that music should always be the focal point, with everything else complementing it. Personally, I prefer playing in natural outdoor venues, especially during a beautiful sunrise or sunset. It’s the ultimate visual experience, in my opinion!
EG: Looking to the future. Do you have anything special in production that you would like to give us a little preview of?
Ankhoï: I prefer to keep things under wraps until they’re ready to be shared. However, exciting projects are in the pipeline, including collaborations with talented artists and probably an EP this summer with one of my most requested songs.
EG: And finally, what goals do you have for the Ankhoï project for 2024 and beyond?
Ankhoï: Releasing good music, having fun in the studio and on stage, trying to reach new heights, and exploring more genres. Thanks a lot for your time!
Ankhoï’s ‘Afeto’ Remix is now available via Columbia (Sony). Stream and download here.
Follow Ankhoï: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram
