Jakkob
Playing back to back with Seth Troxler down the local pub is something you might assume as fitting for a profile such as Jakkob’s, whose social media followings total well over one million. That recent endeavour, however, and those numbers, are merely a glimpse into the flourishing self-built career of the DJ and producer.
Whilst a decision to create content during the pandemic in 2020 whipped the Welshman’s name into a rather afterparty-leaning viral spin, it is difficult to find someone who has embraced club culture more holistically and gratefully than Jakkob. What with him holding down the fort in the past as a promoter – booking acts in Cardiff and London – working at a record label as a curator and DJing to peers for over 10 years, 2024 is the year that his sound engineering and music production degree is put to use as Jakkob prepares to officially release his own original material. We’ve already had a taste thanks to his November 2023 remix of Marshall Jefferson and Yofi Tofi’s ‘Tic Tacs’ – think a hearty injection of old-school rave – and now, Jakkob is here to truly cement his place as a top level producer in contemporary dance music.
He’s already known for his high energy, groove infused DJ sets – Jakkob has graced many a club across the UK including London, Nottingham, Manchester and Bristol – perhaps best epitomised by his Kitchen Club event series, its name a fine ode to his afterparty DJ days. It seems fitting, then, that Jakkob’s debut release ‘Rhythm Section’ is what marks the evolution of Kitchen Club to a label, too.
Kitchen Club Records is a space set to embody Jakkob’s sonic identity that he has so carefully crafted through expansive work in club culture; it further reinforces his premise that when you’re from the dancefloor, you will always be on the dancefloor. Looking forward post ‘Rhythm Section’ release, his remix of Herd & Fitz’s ‘Just Can’t Get Enough’ – which has already landed over one million streams on Soundcloud with zero promotion – is primed for an official release on Ministry Of Sound.
On the DJ front, international demand for Jakkob is increasingly rife. With a takeover of new territories via a packed Australia and New Zealand tour looming large, he is also being welcomed by the White Isle this summer, namely at ABODE alongside Enzo Is Burning. Summertime festival bookings include the immense Hideout in Croatia and firm industry favourite Secret Garden Party. And beyond that? You’ll have to stick around and see where the genre fluid club kid-turned-connoisseur turns next.