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Space for our favorite local artists in Berlin.

Discomfort as a Catalyst: D.$AHIN on Polarisation, Power, and Process

D.$AHIN is a Berlin-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist whose music reflects a life lived between cultures. Ahead of her performance at XJAZZ! Festival, OFFKEY author Alice Vyvyan-Jones sat down with her to talk about what it means to create from a place of uprootedness.

XJAZZ! Berlin 2025: A Communion of Sound, Soul, and Solidarity

OFFKEY reports back from the heart of Kreuzberg, where jazz wasn’t just played—it was lived, stretched, bent, and reimagined at XJAZZ! 2025. Over five days, the festival transformed Berlin into a humming epicenter of improvisation, resistance, and radical joy. From breakout debuts to soul-igniting jam sessions, we witnessed a city vibrating in rhythm with a global community of artists and listeners.

Keeping the Fire Going: MADANii on Resilience and her EP “BiiLINGUAL”

With her upcoming debut solo EP "BiiLINGUAL" German-Iranian singer MADANii turns inward to unpack what it means to reclaim the parts of herself she once tried to hide. It is sung in Farsi and English, emotionally layered, and unapologetically honest. We spoke to the artist about the fire that fuels her, the burden of being misread, and why joy and community are essential to her sound.

Provocation As a Tool: Faravaz on Finding Agency and a Home

The Iranian singer Faravaz will release her debut, "Azadi" (meaning "Freedom" in Farsi), on May 11th. The record recounts the story of her life in exile in Germany because the Iranian government sentenced her to one year in prison for the act of singing as a woman. Choosing to not return to her homeland, Faravaz fights for women’s rights from abroad. Her music is driven by the yearning and fight for liberation from patriarchal oppression.

Local Heat and International Fire At Berlin’s XJAZZ! Festival 2025

Once again, we have the pleasure of covering one of Berlin’s festival gems: XJAZZ!. This year, the festival returns for a bold new edition, running from May 14 to 18 at Festsaal Kreuzberg and surrounding venues. With a finger always on the pulse of boundary-pushing sound and community-driven energy, XJAZZ! 2025 promises to be a week-long celebration of everything that makes Berlin’s music scene so electrifying — and so globally relevant.

Sonic Postcards from Vietnam: JakoJako on Her Album “Tết 41”

The Berlin-based DJ and producer JakoJako just released her new record “Tết 41” following her debut "Metamorphose" (2022). Known for her modular synth mastery and techno sets in sweaty nightclubs, the new record is a transformation of her sound and a nod to her Vietnamese heritage. Anna Grubauer spoke to the artist about the trip to Vietnam that shaped “Tết 41”.

Singing Songs All Night Is How We Fight: Jamila Al-Yousef on “LAYLA (ليلة)”

Jamila & The Other Heroes have released their new single and an accompanying music video for “LAYLA (ليلة).” Following their latest album "Bazaar Bizarre فلسطين وين انا؟" the song carries both the weight and the joy of resilience. Öykü Naz Gümüş spoke with lead singer Jamila Al-Yousef about the journey behind the song and what it means to make resilient music about painful narratives.

“My Music Belongs To the Streets”: Sorah on Rap and Resistance

The Berlin-based rapper Sorah uses her music to fight racism, sexism and homophobia. Performing at demonstrations in Berlin, her double-time grime and drill-inspired verses are echoed by a crowd that challenges unjust societal structures. Ilo Toerkell spoke to Sorah about making political music and why she also started releasing more personal songs.

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