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.
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”.
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.
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.
The Berlin-based festival for new Anatolian music, İÇ İÇE lost their funding as part of the massive budget cuts imposed by the German government. Now, the festival needs donations to take place this year. Author Öykü Naz Gümüş wrote about the importance of preserving a festival, which has become a unique meeting-point for queer and BiPoC people in Berlin.
The Berlin-based singer Anika released "Abyss", a record oozing with urgency and the need to make one's voice heard. Following her solo albums "Eat Liquid" (2023) and "Change" (2021), she now reinvents her signature post-rock sound for the current state of the world and to deliver a gut-moving live show. Nadia Says spoke to the singer about the societal inspirations for the record's themes and whether music can be a driver for change.
Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek recently released their new record "Yarın Yoksa". The album follows the acclaimed releases, "Dost 2" (2022) and "Kar Yağar" (2019), and was recorded in New York City. Ilo Toerkell met Derya Yıldırım and Helen Wells from the group to speak about working with Anatolian classics, folk music as resistance and the bağlama in Germany.
The Berlin-based singer Güner Künier is about to release her new record "Yaramaz". On the album, the artist embraces her heritage, singing in Turkish for the first time, and rejects societal expectation of women. Author Anna Grubauer spoke to Güner Künier about what's behind "Yaramaz".
