Zoe Reijue, a Berlin-based DJ and producer, is making waves in the electronic music scene with her distinctive blend of downtempo grooves and socially conscious messaging.
Photo credit: Zoe Reijue – Official
Her latest single, ‘Cheap Boy,’ exemplifies her artistic evolution, merging a low-slung groove with thought-provoking commentary on gender equality. Released through her self-titled imprint, Zoe Reijue Limited, the track highlights her signature sound—techy synths and hypnotic rhythms creating an immersive indie dance experience.
With upcoming performances at Berlin venues Void and Beate Uwe, plus forthcoming releases on MŎNɅDɅ, KataHaifisch, and Afterhour Sounds, Zoe continues to establish herself as a compelling voice in electronic music.
EG sat down with Zoe to explore her creative process, the story behind ‘Cheap Boy,’ and her vision for the future.
EG: Hi, Zoe! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now? How did you kickstart the year?
Zoe Reijue: Hey! Thanks for having me. I’ve been good—just chilling in Berlin this winter, writing music and planning my upcoming shows. It’s been a nice, focused time to work on new ideas. I kicked off the year with studio sessions, and I’ve been getting ready for some exciting gigs later in the year. By the way, catch me in March at Void, and in May at Beate Uwe! More updates coming soon on my socials.
EG: First of all, congratulations on the release of your latest single, ‘Cheap Boy’! You must be stoked to have this one out. What has the initial reception been like so far? Do you remember the first time you played this one live?
Zoe Reijue: Thank you! I’m really happy with how it turned out. The feedback has been great—people have been connecting with both the groove and the message behind it. I first played it live at a club last year, and I could feel the energy immediately. It’s one of those tracks that gets the crowd moving without forcing it, which is always a good sign.
EG: So, what can your fans expect to find on ‘Cheap Boy’? Is there a story driving this particular cut?
Zoe Reijue: Yeah, beyond the bouncy groove, there’s a deeper meaning behind it. ‘Cheap Boy’ refers to people who seek validation through money or by objectifying others. There are tons of derogatory terms aimed at women, but not nearly as many for men when it comes to the same behaviors. I wanted to challenge that. Many studies highlight this trend, showing that women face much more scrutiny over their appearance and actions, while similar behaviors in men are often overlooked. So this track plays with that idea—it’s time for equality, even in the words we use.
EG: And what was the creative process for this one like? Did you have a clear blueprint in mind? Is there a process you usually tend to follow?
Zoe Reijue: It started really organically. I was jamming in the studio, layering groovy percussions and basslines, and suddenly the track took shape. I don’t always follow a strict process, but I do pay a lot of attention to how tracks feel when I play them live. I tweak my music based on what makes people move—it’s a constant feedback loop between the studio and the dancefloor.
“Women face much more scrutiny over their appearance and actions, while similar behaviors in men are often overlooked”
EG: By the way, ‘Cheap Boy’ is out now via your own imprint, Zoe Reijue Limited. What’s a bit of the story behind Zoe Reijue Limited? What can we expect from the label for the rest of the year? Is there anything that you can anticipate on that front?
Zoe Reijue: Honestly, starting the label wasn’t some big artistic statement—it was just a practical decision. I wanted to release my music on all platforms, and the easiest way to do that was by creating my own label. For now, Zoe Reijue Limited is mainly a home for my own releases, but who knows what the future holds? There will definitely be more music from me coming this year.
EG: Since we’re still ‘in the studio’… what sort of things drive you creatively? Where do you go to for inspiration? What sort of things do you channel through your music?
Zoe Reijue: My inspiration comes from a mix of things—traveling, playing live, and even just observing people. I love grooves that make you move instinctively, so I’m always refining that element in my music. I also like to bring in deeper themes, like social observations or personal experiences, but always in a way that still makes sense for the dancefloor.
EG: And what are some of your biggest goals? What would you like to accomplish in this scene?
Zoe Reijue: My main goal is to keep evolving musically and to perform in places where people truly connect with the music. I’d love to keep refining my live sets, experiment with new sounds, and eventually work on a larger conceptual project—maybe an album at some point.
EG: Now, on to the state of the scene… What do you see as the biggest challenge for the music industry in the next few years, and how do you think artists can adapt?
Zoe Reijue: One big challenge is balancing artistic freedom with the way the industry operates. Streaming platforms and social media play such a huge role now, and sometimes it feels like artists have to be content creators more than musicians. I think the key is to stay true to your sound, and find a way to use these platforms without losing yourself in them.
“Sometimes it feels like artists have to be content creators more than musicians”
EG: Finally, what’s next for Zoe Reijue? What new milestones are you looking forward to in 2025? Where can your fans catch you next?
Zoe Reijue: More music and more exciting releases! This year I’m already planning to release music on MŎNɅDɅ, KataHaifisch, and Afterhour Sounds, all of which I’m really looking forward to. And of course, there will be more gigs—you can catch me at Berlin in March-May at Void and Beate Uwe. Stay tuned for more updates on my socials!
EG: Thank you so much for your time, Zoe! We wish you all the best for the future. Take care!
Zoe Reijue: Thanks for having me! See you on the dancefloor.
Zoe Reijue’s ‘Cheap Boy’ is now available on Zoe Reijue Limited. Stream and download here.
Follow Zoe Reijue: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram | Facebook
