Kiki

Helsinki-born, Berlin-based DJ and producer Joakim Ijäs, aka Kiki, debuted in 2001 with the Blondie-sampling "Gas126" single, but not before he had spent nearly a decade DJing, including gigs at some of Berlin's most significant venues (including Tresor). Released on Ellen Allien's Bpitch Control, his first 12" initiated a long affiliation with the label that saw roughly a dozen subsequent singles, a pair of full-length production releases (2004's Run with Me and 2009's Kaiku), and an installment in the DJ mix Boogybytes series through the end of the decade. Co-productions with Silversurfer were spread across 2003 and 2004, though only one of them was issued on Bpitch. His work has spanned nearly the entire spectrum of dance music, incorporating electro, minimal techno, the giddy energy and bright melodies of Italo disco, and even soft-hued IDM. ~ Andy Kellman