February 7, 2025 |
London-based DJ Kilimanjaro makes music that feels like a hefty injection of adrenaline. Heavily backed by twanging basslines, you can feel the artist’s Zambian background pulsing through each track. Inspired by rhythms and melodies native to Africa, Kilimanjaro pairs these “Sounds of the Motherland”, as he calls them, with the sonic styles of Glasgow’s club landscape, where he first cut his teeth on electronic music. Becoming a regular behind the decks before moving to Edinburgh then London to do the same, Kilimanjaro’s roster of appearances includes sought-after billings for Warehouse Project, All Points East, and Glastonbury, complimented by a BBC Radio 1 residency and tours in India, Latin and North America.
Now, Kilimanjaro is gearing up to release his four-track EP entitled Makalelo, taken from his native Zambian Lozi tongue, which means ‘beginnings’. High energy and rattling with reverberating percussion, two tracks, The Seeker and Come Towards The Light have already been released, with the latter dropping this morning. Rolling out the full work on March 7, we had a quick chat with Kilimanjaro to hear more about the inspiration behind the upcoming EP, how his sound has developed over the years and what’s in store for the future.
1. Who is Kilimanjaro
Much more than just a DJ or producer, Kilimanjaro is the creative manifestation of everything I’ve been working hard to build over the past 10 years. In this next iteration of the project, I’m truly excited for people to experience Kilimanjaro the artist and what we’ve been working very hard on over the past 18 months. I essentially aim to try and spread the message of passion, love and authenticity through the music I create, the music I play and the way I perform. I want people to let go and have fun. I feel like it’s important to evoke a deep sense of hope and belonging, whilst also encouraging people to let go of baggage. Music is about freedom.
2. Sum up your sound in three words.
Passion. Percussion. Power.
3. What would you say is the biggest moment of your career so far?
I’m super blessed to have had the last two and a half years – with the past 12 months having been the craziest to date – but I’d have to say my debut Boiler Room where I got to work to work the room into a frenzy before my boy, Fred Again… did his thing. For it to then go live the month after my debut release, Muleña, with my brother, Hammer, and smash 1.5 million views. That was undoubtedly a pivotal moment. Things really haven’t been the same since.
4. What’s your favourite music festival you’ve played?
Kappa Futur Festival in Torino, Italy, will forever have a special place in my heart. Not only for the reception I got when performed there back in the summer of ‘23 but also how well the festival itself looked after both the artists and the festival goers. So much attention to detail from the stages and curation, to the food and drink offering. Even the festival toilets were immaculate! Definitely one I’ll be going back to as a partier, no doubt.
5. What was the inspiration behind the upcoming EP?
The inspiration behind my debut solo EP all stems from the idea of the origin. The start, the birth, the beginnings. Which can be found through out the record and is also referenced in the actual name of the EP, ‘Makalelo (Origins)’.
6. What story do you want to tell with the EP?
When it comes to the story we’re trying to tell with the ‘Makalelo (Origins)’ EP, it’s really what the listener makes of it. Drawing from my energies and experiences over the earlier parts of my music journey, a lot of the themes come from feelings felt whilst beginning down this road as an artist.
7. Which song on your new EP, is the most outside your comfort zone musically?
Sonically, I feel like The Seeker really was the song that pushed and pulled me out of my comfort zone. It’s raw, intense and full of grit that demands you to lock in every time. A real performance piece that allowed me to start putting pen to paper, which in turn started to open up that side of my creative.
8. If you could only wear one brand for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I don’t think I could ever wear one brand for the rest of my life. The beauty of fashion is in the elegance of variation. Being able to mix and match the comfort with the crazy, the safe with the risky, that’s where the enjoyment is.
9. How do you feel your sound has developed from the beginning of your career to your upcoming EP?
I feel like – and maybe those who have been on this journey with me can vouch – my sonic journey has seen me transition from an open format DJ to an artist that now harnesses all that experience of playing multiple genres and performing in many different spaces, into his own sound. What I’m creating now is undeniably unadulterated Kilimanjaro and I’m excited to have you all son this journey with me.
10. What’s next for you?
Next up, I’m buzzing to be back to work after some much needed time off up in Scotland and over in Cape Town, SA. Alongside kicking things off with my first Americas tours of the year, people can also expect lots of new music dropping every month or so. Get locked, stay locked. We’ve got a big year ahead. Let’s get it.
Photography courtesy of Kilimanjaro.
