Ghanaian-American DJ Akua makes her Japan debut at MIDNIGHT EAST, the club night series by Spotify O-EAST and AZUMAYA on Friday, 5th September.（https://midnighteast.zaiko.io/e/akua）
Born in LA and moving to New York in 2015 then now based in Berlin, Akua is an explorer of US techno history, blending her extensive archive with modern techno through her exceptional sense and mixing skills. Despite the rise of high BPM techno, her sets, which avoid trends, feature records from the 1990s to early 2000s that embody the raw energy of American techno. Akua is currently in high demand at essential European clubs and festivals such as Berghain, FUSE, Dekmantel, Draaimolen, and FOLD.
ーFirst of all, I’d like to express my respect for the way you have revitalised the works of artists who are considered the originators of techno and shared them with dance floors around the world. Please tell us about the scenes and artists that inspired your current style.
Akua: Thank you! In terms of influences from a historical context, I’ve definitely been inspired by North American techno and house music. Sounds from Detroit, Chicago, New York, and the Midwestern United States in general have played such a major role in my career. I’m also inspired by the transatlantic connection that artists from countries like Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom established with artists from the United States. I’d say my sound encapsulates so many elements from the aforementioned places as I feel like my approach is very rooted in showcasing a wide range of styles of techno. In terms of influences, I’d say some of my top ones are K-Hand (RIP), Jeff Mills, Robert Hood, Steve Rachmad, DJ Rush and Miss Djax, though there’s so many more that have informed my style.
ーIn Japan, the number of female DJs who are recognised internationally has increased in recent years, but I still feel that there are very few of them. Have you ever felt any difficulties in your career as a woman? If so, please share your ideas on how to overcome them.
Akua: I’ll be honest here and say that I absolutely have felt difficulties in my career as a woman and also as a woman of color. For a while in the start of my career, I noticed there was a sort of cognitive dissonance for people when it came to acknowledging that I am primarily a techno DJ. Even when I played very straight up techno sets, I would literally have people approach me and ask me what style of music I was playing, which I found to be discouraging. At times I feel like I’m not taken as seriously as my male peers and there’s been many experiences over the years where I’ve had to deal with not being given the same respect or visibility as them. It’s super frustrating and exhausting to deal with.
I think things have gotten progressively better in the last decade with women and non cis male DJs in general being recognized though I notice a disparity still within the techno scene. I hate seeing all male line ups existing still when there’s so many talented women/non cis male artists that can be platformed. There’s so much more I can say, but I think there needs to be more open dialogue about how patriarchy exists within the scene and more openness in general (especially from men) on how to level the playing field. However it’s inspiring to see female/non cis male collectives and events popping up more and I think with those initiatives it also helps to drive more visibility to this issue. I’m also grateful for all the fierce women and non cis male DJ friends that I have who I can talk about these issues openly with.
ーWhat made you decide to move to Berlin from New York?
Akua: I always knew I wanted to live abroad at some point in my life and making the move to Berlin made the most sense for me. I’ve always been inspired by how several American artists I love forged a connection with the city in the 90s and early 2000s and I also wanted to follow that lineage as well. It’s been two years now since I’ve moved and I’m super happy that I did as it’s helped redefine my artistic vision.
ーYou’ve been playing various locations around the world. I know it’s a tough call, but are there any special venues or parties to you? Do you see any difference between club cultures in North America and Europe?
Akua: Every venue I have played at and continue to play at regularly in New York City is super special to me. Bossa Nova Civic Club in Brooklyn is where I got my start as a DJ and I will always be so grateful for all the growth I had while playing there regularly. I also want to shout out to venues like Basement, Nowadays, Paragon, and Public Records as I love how they have really played a huge role in shaping modern day club culture in New York.
Now that I’ve lived in Europe for a couple of years I can say that the biggest difference I see between the techno focused crowds is that European techno consumers (especially in Berlin) can be more rigid when it comes to their expectations of techno. I think they’re a bit too stuck on seeing techno as this formulaic, uniform genre and not as flexible to experimentation as the North American crowds. It’s a bit shocking to see since Europe has a stronger infrastructure for club culture that could allow for further exploration. I hope this changes and mindsets about what techno can be and sound like continues to evolve.
ーYou play techno records from the 90s and early 2000s. How/where do you usually dig records? Do you have a favourite shop? Over the past decade Japanese “City Pop” has been making a global comeback, and we have many stores that sell rare, expensive records of the genre, but sadly, the number of shops that mainly deal in techno has significantly decreased.
Akua: I dig for them everywhere! I love going through a whole label or artists catalog on Discogs and checking thoroughly through various side projects from artists I love. When I’m in online digging mode it ends up turning into an endless journey and sometimes I lose track of time and the amount of website tabs that are open haha. I also love listening to old sets and mixes I can find online and discovering my favorite track IDs. When I can’t find something, I’ll ask my friends who are also techno nerds like me haha or just go with my intuition based on the specific style.
At this moment I don’t really have a favorite record store since I’m super specific in what I like to purchase. Some of the ones that I’ve had really good digging sessions at recently are A1 Records in NYC and Bikini Waxx in Berlin. Since moving to Europe, what I’ve really enjoyed is connecting with independent sellers on Discogs who have a similar taste to mine and being able to search through their private collections. I’m hoping that I can find some good records while in Tokyo as I’ve seen many shops online that have so many that I love in stock.
ーIs it going to be your first visit to Japan? What are your expectations for the Japanese club scene and audience? Is there anything else you’d like to do when you’re here besides the party?
Akua: This will indeed be my first visit to Japan. I’m super excited about playing for the Japanese audience and from what I’ve heard everyone is positive and open minded. I also know there’s a special history with techno in Japan and I feel honored that I get to embrace this. I’m looking forward to exploring the city, go record shopping, go to some arcades, see historical sites, shop and in general immerse myself in the culture. Can’t wait to visit! 🙂
text Tomoko Naoshiima(https://www.instagram.com/moccorin/) & MAYUDEPTH（https://www.instagram.com/mayudepth/)
Akua
https://midnighteast.zaiko.io/e/akua
2025.09.05 (Fri)
at MIDNIGHT EAST (Spotify O-EAST 3F & AZUMAYA)
Dogenzaka2-14-8, Shibuya,Tokyo
OPEN/START 22:00
DOOR ¥4,000
ADV ¥3,000
U25 ¥2,500
LINE UP:
Akua
Mari Sakurai
MAYUDEPTH
鏡民/Kyomi
lostbaggage
m-int (CCC)
Sht (Ready or Not)
※You must be 20 or over with Photo ID to enter.
Venue:MIDNIGHT EAST (Spotify O-EAST / Azumaya)
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