Meet D-Jae
Musical Roots
I stand for deep grooves and jazzy melodies. My love for this music began in the early 1980s, when I was captivated by Ferry Maat’s Soul Show, which introduced the American import sound, what we now know as Dance Classics. I listened to pirate radio stations like Satellite Empire, and later Counterpoint and Disco Action came on the air. These stations shaped my sense of soul, R&B, and musical refinement. I am also a big fan of old‑school hip‑hop.
Clubs & the Dance Floor
In the second half of the 1980s, clubs opened their doors where this music truly came alive on the dance floor. Think of iconic venues in Amsterdam like Escape (1986–1988) and Bebop on the Amstelstraat, BlueTiek‑In in Rotterdam, Cartouche in Utrecht, and Manhattan in Arnhem. These clubs brought the exact same atmosphere of the Soul Show and the pirate stations onto the dance floor. A wonderful time that I still miss to this day.
Who I Am as a DJ Today
I am a vinyl DJ who has embraced mixing electronic music. On request, I can be your vinyl DJ and fill your night with the American import sound where my musical roots lie. These days, my focus is more on controller‑DJ sets, Deep House and Jazz House. A sound that is both relaxed and energetic, perfect for stylish events, lounges, and club nights.
Meet my gear
In 1986, I bought my turntables: two Technics SL‑1210 MK II, like the one shown here. That was the beginning of my love for mixing. Every Friday, my friends and I went to Rhythm Import on the Singel in Amsterdam, where the newest American imports arrived. At home, we would completely lose ourselves in the music. Spinning records, mixing, discovering, full of energy and joy. And on the weekends, we headed to the clubs, where we could hear, feel, and experience that same music on the dance floor.
In the summer of 2024, I started exploring DJ controllers as we know them today. For me, it felt like a complete revolution. It was new, a totally different way of mixing. For a long time, I wondered whether I actually liked it. Fortunately, I began to discover more and more of the fun sides of electronic mixing. It’s not necessarily easier or harder, it’s simply different.
Many DJ's of my generation swear by vinyl and consider Controller‑DJ's inferior or even less authentic. But I don’t agree with that. Both setups have their own charm. Here you see a Pioneer DDJ‑FLX10. At this moment, it is, alongside my SL‑1210 MK II, my best friend.
The Reloop Mixon 8 Pro is my backup system. This controller is built completely differently then the Pioneer, and that’s exactly why I use it as well. I want to be able to play on both setups, so I can stay flexible and switch effortlessly in any situation.
Meet my ideal atmosphere
I am a DJ who plays for atmosphere, experience, and connection. I love warm grooves, an elegant flow, and a setting where people can truly enjoy themselves. Intimate, stylish, and with attention to detail. My music is meant to create a vibe, not to shout.
Meet who I am and especially who I'm not
Who I Am
A setting between 30 and 300 people. A rooftop at sunset, a Mediterranean vibe, a beautiful glass of rosé or a cocktail in hand. That is where my music comes to life at its best. Warm, groovy, stylish, with the space to build a real flow.
Who I Am Not
I am not a performance DJ, not a mainstage DJ. Not someone who plays for spectacle or show. That’s not who I am. I’m not there to jump, shout, or be the center of attention. I’m there to carry the atmosphere and let the evening breathe.
Meet My Contemporary Inspirations
D-Jae
It starts with music
© 2026 D-Jae