Tony Kay Shares His 2023 Favourites
As we reach the end of 2023, we’ve been taking the time to look back at the stellar year we’ve enjoyed within Electronic Music; with a vibrant and potent energy emanating from the genre, it has no doubt been a memorable year. Standing out as one of the key players in ensuring Electronic Music continues to grow, elevate, and develop is the talented Producer and DJ Tony Kay; the September release of ‘Dihya’ came as a milestone moment for him, well-received across the globe, the track quickly propelled his signature sound and impeccable production talents into the spotlight, gaining him the attention of genre enthusiasts worldwide. With such a remarkable year, we’re excited to be joined in conversation with Tony Kay today, delving into his standout favourites from 2023.
Can you share your overall impressions of the Electronic Music landscape in 2023? What stood out to you in terms of trends and developments?
It’s been a rollercoaster; with genres evolving, and giving birth to new sounds, the fusion of styles and the rise of unconventional sounds and subgenres has definitely been something I’ve noticed – there’s more Techno and DnB. I’ve also seen people experimenting with A.I. and blending organic and synthetic elements in ways that keep the scene fresh.
Could you list a few of your absolute favorite tracks or releases from the past year, and what makes them special to you?
Skrillex ft. Nai Barghouti – ‘Xena (Ninetoes Remix)’
Nai Barghouti is a Palestinian singer with a beautiful voice and this remix by Ninetoes goes so well within my sets. It mashes up perfectly with many tracks in my library and I honestly just love this track.
Tony Kay – ‘Dihya’ (Original Mix)
It’s my biggest release of the year thus far, played by many DJs and charting around the world from Ukraine to Portugal, the United Arab Emirates to Uruguay and many other countries. This track went through so many edits and the final version is absolutely amazing. Fans from different parts of the world find a sound in it that they recognize, different to what it actually is, and that’s the beauty of it.
Were there any tracks from emerging artists that caught your attention and deserve recognition?
Quite a few artists like Tobehonest, Ozgur Uzar and Grossomoddo.
What genres or sub-genres of Electronic Music resonated with you the most this year, and why?
Mainly Tech House, a bit of Techno and some Afro here and there. I’m Moroccan, so mostly tracks with Arabic/Middle Eastern influence make it into my library and I enjoy mashing those tracks up live.
As a Producer, did you come across any groundbreaking production techniques, hardware, or software innovations in 2023 that significantly influenced your music?
My sound is influenced by my background and experiences and the end result is a diverse blend of rhythms. There’s always that Tech House groove with other elements integrated in and a clear mood that I want to convey. It’s a non-traditional approach to music production but at the end of the day, I stay true to myself and my musical journey, being as authentic as I can.
Are there any production tools or plugins that became essential to your creative process during the year?
My creative process is the same, I usually have a melody or rhythm in my head or written on my phone notes. Other times I hear a vocal and start to get creative ideas from it. It just depends, and honestly, I try to not get too attached to the initial idea especially during the early stages, knowing that it will likely evolve and change. I have an attention to detail and love for music production which encourages an immersion in rhythmic explorations.
Were there any artists or influences outside of the Electronic Music world that left an imprint on your work in 2023?
It’s important to have a creative state of mind, to not be afraid to try new things, and to not just follow the current trend. My latest release ‘Amegdul’ is a special track for me in which I used a live recorded melody played on an instrument called “guembri”. It’s a three-stringed bass plucked lute played mainly in Gnawa music, which originates from Morocco, specifically the city of Essaouira. I made a Tech House song mainly inspired by that rhythm and I absolutely love it. I tested it out several times and it gets the people going, just as I envisioned it. It’s a very unconventional sound to use in Tech House as well as the technique of using the raw live recording.
What can your fans and the Electronic Music community expect from you in the new year? Any upcoming projects, releases, or performances that you’re excited to share?
Next release coming very soon.
On a path that is sure to see his name rising to even higher heights within Electronic Music, Tony Kay is surely a talent to keep following. So, as we wrap up our interview, we thank him for taking the time to speak with us and eagerly encourage you to follow him across social media to remain in the know about his upcoming releases, projects, and live shows.
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