As a multifaceted organization, Sounds of Khemit operates not only as a unique record label but also encompasses a range of diverse ventures.
We transcend conventional electronic music labels by merging traditional sounds with contemporary innovation in the arts, technology and events.
Additionally, we operate as a dynamic creative space that functions as a hub for international DJs, hosts several events throughout the year, and explores the burgeoning field of music-technology and its impact on the industry.
We aim to be a catalyst for music and guiding our artists roster towards tapping into fullest potential, both personally and across dance floors worldwide.
NEW RELEASES
Sounds of Khemit reaches its fiftieth catalogue release with the debut of Sen Sanik on the label — a two-track EP built around a single question, and no clean answer.
Are we human, or are we machine? Sen Sanik puts the question in the middle of the record and lets the drums work on it, refusing to resolve it because the border has already moved and keeps moving. What he offers instead is what he's been doing for fifteen years: deep resonant drums, syncopated techno rhythms, and melodies that arrive as if remembered rather than written.
Livermore Cumbia opens with the collision built into its title — the Northern California town known for its nuclear research laboratory, meeting one of the oldest folk rhythms of the Americas. Ancient hips in a room full of servers.
The title track is built around the voice of Prince. The sample is lifted from his 1999 speech at the Yahoo Internet Life Online Music Awards, the moment he warned a room of music industry insiders that the computer was a fine tool right up until it started using them. He framed it as a quiet war, the mind as the battlefield and the soul as the prize. The song carries his words on purpose. It’s Cool takes its name straight from his warning.
For more than thirty years he has been a pillar of the Lisbon electronic underground, his name a thread running through the modern history of Portuguese dance music. Early work on Tribal America and Kaos. The founder of Nylon Discographics and Lupeca. Records and studios shared with Richard Dorfmeister, Tosca, DJ Vibe, Madredeus and a long line of others. Jezebel / 1k Drums is his first appearance on Sounds of Khemit, and it feels less like an introduction than like two old roads finally crossing.
Over the past two to three years, Brooklyn-based producer Nhii and Tokyo's Akira Arasawa have
been building a creative bond across continents, sharing stages in Amsterdam and Japan and
discovering a shared language somewhere between house, modular synthesis, and late-night
conversations that end at sunrise. An instrumental wasl born from an open-ended modular synth
session at Akira's studio in Tokyo, where the two locked in with no agenda beyond following the
signal path wherever it led.
What emerged was a groove that pulses with the warmth of analog circuitry and the restless
energy of a city that never quite settles. The track needed a voice that could match its duality,
someone equally comfortable between cultures, between languages, between the dancefloor and
the page.
The EP arrives as a natural evolution for Bikura, who first introduced himself to theSounds of Khemit community through contributions to the label's acclaimed VariousArtist Compilation series,Khonsu. Now stepping out on his own, the four-track releasemarks a significant milestone, his first full solo body of work on the label.Rooted in the sonic philosophy that has defined his productions to date, Bikura blendsthe weight and momentum of techno with the organic sensibility and samplingmethodology of deep house. His music weaves together bliss, melancholy, andintrospection, all groundedin a deep rhythmic groove, a sound he describes as anexploration of the edges of sonic comfort and relief. Centered around organicpercussion and layered with explorative synths, his work is a constant pursuit of self-expression and audio excellence.TheEP features four tracks:Arena,Significativa,Cruz, andColompio.Titles that carrya quiet worldliness, hinting at the cultural and emotional textures woven throughBikura's productions.A resident DJ at Diffusion PNW in Seattle and Kapsoura Music in Denver, Bikura hasbeen quietly building his reputation across the underground circuit. His arrival as a soloartist on Sounds of Khemit feels both timely and earned
WHAT’S NEW
Nhii and J Feliz have released La Bodega, a charity single on WAYU Records, with 100% of net recording proceeds going to InspireDR.
Born in the Dominican Republic
The record started at BeatRetreat, where J Feliz stepped up to the mic for a live recording session with no lyrics prepared and delivered a freestyle full of rhythm, personality and Dominican spirit. Those takes reached Nhii, who built rolling basslines, textured synths and acid-infused grooves around the raw vocal while keeping the jam alive.
The attitude of the recording. It was alive.: "a great starting point for a record" Nhii
Why it matters
Nhii, J Feliz, WAYU Records and distribution partner Proton each donated their share of the master royalties. InspireDR runs free after-school programmes for underserved boys in the Dominican Republic — education, mentorship and the guidance to become responsible men and leaders in their communities.
In the press
Electronic Groove traced the record back to BeatRetreat and the visit to InspireDR, calling out a track that brings together indie dance, acid, organic electronic elements and Caribbean influences. Music is 4 Lovers ran a long-form conversation with Nhii, J Feliz and WAYU founder Julian Castañeda on the studio jam the bassline was sampled from. WAYU Records told it from the inside, and When We Dip read it as a vibrant dancefloor record that keeps the authenticity of the original freestyle intact.
Listen. Share. Donate. Every stream and purchase supports InspireDR's work with boys in the Dominican Republic.
Our first and only sale! Get our first 4 Vinyls with this incredible 4 for 40 Deal and gift music for the holidays!
We had an incredible year with showcases in Brooklyn, Tulum, MXCD and Amsterdam. Thank you for your support it is everything for us!
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Nhii transformed the spanish hit EAEA by Blanca Paloma into a peak time dancefloor Banger. Availble on Bandcamp only for free.
We're excited to announce the launch of SøK, a brand-new release series from Sounds of Khemit. With SøK, we dive into the roots — offering exclusive edits and remixes of classic tunes, reimagined through our unique sonic lens.
This series is all about sharing the music freely with our community. All releases are available for free download via our Bandcamp.
Follow us there and stay tuned — new sounds are on the way.
After some unexpected last-minute changes to our original showcase plans, we’ve worked tirelessly to present an incredible new event alongside NiteLite Musique for Amsterdam Dance Event.
Date: October 17, 2024
Time: 8 PM – 2 AM
Venue: The Loft at Already Made Studios
Address: East Van Der Madeweg 5, 1114 AM, Amsterdam-Duivendrecht
We’ll be taking over with a full Funktion 1 sound setup, and the lineup features some of the best Sounds of Khemit talent, including Nhii, Gespona, Saqib, B.o.T, and Amadori. To make this event even more special, we’ve also got support from Alex Cecil and Aquariox from Miami.
This showcase will embody the rich, immersive sounds you’ve come to expect from the Sounds of Khemit and it wil unravel the upcoming releases of the label as well as featuring many unheard tracks music of the artists.
Nhii's Patreon page offers a unique opportunity for fans and aspiring artists to dive deeper into the world of electronic music. Through this platform, Nhii shares invaluable industry insights, production techniques, and behind-the-scenes knowledge, all drawn from his extensive experience as a DJ and producer. Patrons gain access to exclusive listening sessions, where they can preview unreleased tracks and get a first look at Nhii's creative process. This community is a space for learning, inspiration, and connection, offering members a chance to grow alongside one of electronic music's most innovative artists.
Minimal Mag: The Sounds of Khemit label launched 2021 with a base in Brooklyn and a thread of inspiration running back to Egypt. The imprint has focused on various artists releases, drawing on some of the more interesting producers around the globe to further their message. We caught up with label founder and visionary Wael and label boss Chris Nhii to hear more.
EVENTS
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