Franky Wah’s ascent in electronic music has been anything but accidental. Raised in the rural outskirts of Doncaster, England, his early musical experiences were shaped by a deep passion for rhythm and storytelling, first discovered through hip hop before evolving into a broader exploration of sound. What began as an after-school hobby eventually grew into a full-fledged pursuit, fueled by curiosity, determination, and an innate desire to connect through music.
Photo Credit: Will Jaques
“I’ve always been into music growing up, but started out by listening to hip hop mainly,” Franky recalls. “I’m still a huge fan of hip hop and always will be, but there was a time when I naturally shifted my attention to electronic music.”
That shift marked the start of a journey that would eventually take him from the confines of a makeshift studio — an old computer in a shed behind his parents’ garden — to some of the most revered stages in the world. Surrounded by a community of talented producers in his hometown, Franky quickly found his footing, learning the technical nuances of production while honing a distinct sound centered on emotional resonance. “It all started from there, really,” he says, reflecting on those early, formative years.
Rather than a single defining moment, Franky Wah’s career has been a succession of breakthroughs — each one building on the last. “It’s hard to just pick one,” he admits. “There have been so many moments that have felt like a breakthrough. Most recently, bringing my live show back for a sold-out London show was huge. The Ibiza residencies were obviously a massive milestone too, alongside revisiting the ‘The Revival’ mixtape series with Volume 2 this month.”
Key among those early successes was the 2020 release of ‘Come Together’, a track that remains a pivotal marker in his evolution. “It really cemented my place in the dance scene and opened so many doors globally,” Franky says. “I still get messages today from people who connected with that track when it first came out — it’s mad to think about how far it’s travelled.”
Whether producing melodic anthems, brooding club cuts, or expansive live sets, Franky’s goal has always been consistent: to create a journey. “I want it to be an artist project with tracks that can exist in and outside of the club,” he explains. “I want people to feel something genuine. Every track is like a snapshot of where my head is at that time.”
In 2022, Franky took a decisive step toward even greater creative autonomy by launching his own label, SHÈN — a move rooted in authenticity and vision. “‘SHÈN‘ means ‘spirit’ in Chinese,” he shares. “That connection to energy and emotion is a big part of what I try to put into my sets and productions. I wanted a platform where I could release music without any restrictions — where the only real guideline was the feeling and the quality.”
Today, SHÈN continues to gain momentum with carefully curated releases, high-profile showcases, and a residency on the white isle of Ibiza — all driven by the mission to foster a genuine community around music that transcends genre limitations. “The plan is to keep developing it and building a home for like-minded artists and fans,” Franky says.
Although much of his energy has recently gone into building SHÈN, 2025 marks the beginning of a new chapter for Franky Wah’s live show. “Over the past couple of years, I’ve been really focused on building SHÈN, which has been amazing, but it’s meant I’ve had to put the live side of Franky Wah on hold,” he admits. That hiatus ended in March, with a landmark sold-out performance at Hackney Church — a show that reignited his passion for live performance and opened the door for an ambitious new chapter. “It was a great opening show to continue building something special and showed us what we can do, music-wise and production-wise,” he says.
At a time when electronic music can often feel saturated by trends, Franky Wah’s music stands apart because of its depth and emotional weight. “One of the things that’s helped me stand out sonically is that emotional thread that runs through everything I make,” he reflects. “Whether it’s melodic, progressive, or a bit deeper and darker, there’s always a real feeling behind it — it’s never just about making a track that bangs in a club.”
This focus on authenticity resonates both in his studio work and in his performances. “When I approach my performances, it’s always about creating a journey,” he says. “You’ve got to read the room, feel the energy. It’s that tension and release that makes a night memorable.”
The future for Franky Wah looks expansive. With new live shows in the works, SHÈN’s continued rise, and a full-length album scheduled for 2026, he is set on building something that goes far beyond individual tracks or fleeting moments. “Lots of things coming and I’m excited for all of them,” he says.
In every step, whether through music, performances, or his label, Franky Wah remains true to the spirit that first led him into music: a desire to connect deeply, honestly, and without compromise.
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