For UK-born artist Pippi Ciez, the journey through electronic music has never been about shortcuts. It’s been about soul. From learning to beatmatch on a pair of gifted turntables at the age of 12, to crafting genre-blending live sets that blend the spiritual with the visceral, his rise has been rooted in patience, intention, and an unwavering belief in the long game.
Photo Credit: Steven Limnardo
“I was 12 years old when my parents gifted me a pair of turntables for Christmas,” he recalls. “Every weekend, I’d spend my pocket money at Tempest, a record shop in Birmingham, digging for garage, grime, hip hop, and R&B.” What began as a teenage obsession soon evolved into deeper experimentation, as he and a friend discovered Fruity Loops, and later, Reason 2.5—“that’s when I started to believe I could actually do this and build a future in music.”
That dream took formal shape when he studied Music Technology and Audio Engineering at college and university, before landing his first job in a local studio. But it was Ibiza that catalyzed his immersion in electronic music. A summer trip turned into four transformative seasons. “Those years taught me more about electronic music than I ever could’ve imagined,” he says. “Since then, I’ve never looked back.”
His signature came into focus through a meditative, earthy take on deep house and organic techno—a sound rooted in intention. “When I write music, I’m not thinking about trends or listeners—I’m transmitting a frequency, an emotion from the soul. I see myself more as an author than a producer in those moments.”
That sincerity was fully realized in 2020 when he released ‘Riziki’ via Lee Burridge’s All Day I Dream, marking a major turning point. “It was my first EP to hit number one on Beatport… that release changed everything,” he explains. “Thanks to Lee, I went from a bedroom producer to headlining shows across the USA, Europe, and Asia.”
Yet it was his rework of Djamou Sangare & Idd Aziz’s ‘Lua’ that truly cemented his place. “At the time, I had no idea what I’d created,” he admits. “But it went on to reach number one in 11 countries and stayed in the Beatport Top 100 for nearly three years. It’s still played by the biggest names in the industry.”
But beyond the milestones and metrics lies an artist deeply shaped by personal trials. In June 2025, Ciez experienced profound loss when his partner Lailinia passed away. “She was my anchor in life, in music, and in love,” he shares. “The grief nearly brought everything to a standstill… But then I realized music is all I have left to carry her light forward. Now, every step I take is for her, for me, for us. She gives my music a new purpose—a new soul.”
This deeper sense of purpose echoes through his imprint, Inward Records. Launched in 2015 as a self-reliant platform when getting signed felt impossible, it’s grown into a vehicle for sonic exploration and creative autonomy. “Running a label teaches you the other side of the industry… It’s given me invaluable insight and balance as both artist and label owner.”
Currently, Inward is in a reflective phase. “The Afro scene has become very saturated, and we’re looking to carve out something fresh… something that stands out with authenticity again.”
That same search for authenticity drives Ciez’s performances, which often push beyond the bounds of traditional DJing. “My live performances are where I feel I truly stand out,” he says. Using Ableton, MIDI controllers, and drum machines, he reimagines his studio creations in real-time. “With no disrespect to DJs, I find that just pressing play has become too static. I need to be active, driving the energy in every direction.”
Now based in Bali, where he’s just built a new studio, Ciez is entering a new chapter filled with global momentum and creative possibility. He’s preparing for a six-show U.S. tour—touching down in New York, Miami, San Diego, and San Francisco—before his debut at Burning Man, a long-awaited milestone. “I’m beyond excited,” he beams.
There’s also his collaboration with ASKAR, including a debut EP on Solomun’s Diynamic and a single on Altra Moda featuring Bloodmoon of The Tempa Trap. And more is on the way for All Day I Dream in 2026.
Yet through it all, Ciez remains committed to the long road: the belief that art comes from lived experience, from heartbreak, curiosity, and healing. “I’m just trying to grow as an artist and as a human,” he says. “Staying present and honoring the journey every step of the way.”
Follow Pippi Ciez: Spotify | Instagram | Soundcloud
