Every DJ has a set of tracks that didn’t just sound good — they altered the way you hear music. These aren’t necessarily the biggest tunes in the world or the rarest ones. They’re simply the right tracks at the right time. The kind that shift your taste, expand your ear, or quietly reshape your style without you noticing.
These five songs did exactly that for me. Each one marks a phase of my evolution across genres, from raw early influences to the sounds that shaped how I produce and DJ today.
1. Kim Rapatti (Mono Junk) – “A2” (Moods EP)
Why this track?
This was my personal Techno 101. When I discovered it in 2020, it felt like finding a secret blueprint. It was made in 1996, yet still sounded more futuristic than half the techno coming out today. A simple beat and atmospheric textures — that’s all it needed.
What it taught me:
That techno doesn’t need theatrics. It doesn’t need fireworks. Minimalism, when done right, is maximal impact.
How it reflects my evolution:
This was the moment I stopped being a casual listener and became obsessed with the finer details of techno. It opened the door to deeper digging and changed how I approach arrangements in my own tracks.
2. Jammin’ Gerald – “Pump That Shit Up”
Why this track?
I knew hip-house, but this track was my introduction to pure, unfiltered ghetto house energy. It's built almost entirely on a rhythm and a chant, but it never gets boring.
What it taught me:
Sometimes dance music isn’t about layers — it’s about attitude. A groove, a vocal stab, and conviction.
How it reflects my evolution:
This one reminds me that “less is more” applies across genres. It validated my love for raw, physical tracks that lock into a single idea and commit.
3. DJ Tira & Blaq Kiidd – “Umshove”
Why this track?
I’m not the biggest afro-house fan — most of it feels repetitive and overplayed. But “Umshove” is one of those rare exceptions where the energy is undeniable.
What it taught me:
That even in a genre I don’t love, there are gems that hit me right in the chest.
How it reflects my evolution:
It forced me to be more open-minded. Taste isn’t a genre — it’s a feeling. And this track taught me to chase feeling over labels.
4. Funk Assault – “That’s the Funk Assault”
Why this track?
This one was a lightning bolt. Raw, groovy techno blended with chopped-up rap vocals — it felt like someone had reached into my brain and made a track using two completely different sides of who I am.
What it taught me:
That I could break the imaginary wall between my hip-hop past and my electronic present.
How it reflects my evolution:
This track directly inspired my own “Mega Funk.” It represents the moment I realised: “Wait… I’m allowed to merge all my influences? I don’t have to choose?” And everything changed after that.
5. Todd Edwards – “Main Vibe” (Original Mix)
Why this track?
It’s pure joy. Complex yet soulful, dense yet uplifting. This track is a masterclass — groovy, emotional, and deeply musical.
What it taught me:
That maximalism, when intentional, can hit just as hard as minimalism. And that vocal sampling can be musical, rhythmic, and textural all at once.
How it reflects my evolution:
This was the “heart” moment. The track that reminded me music isn't only about impact — it’s also about emotion. It completed the palette of what I chase as a listener and as a producer.
Together, these tracks form a weird but honest roadmap of who I am musically: part hip-hop kid, part techno explorer, part nostalgic romantic, and part rule-breaker. And I’m still adding to the list every year.