Rampa, part of Berlin music-creator collective Keinemusik, reflects on his long career in the electronic music scene. The collective is centered around three DJs: Rampa, André (or &ME), and Adam Port.

Set to perform at Coachella 2025, the collective has been around since 2009 with more than 65 releases and performances in over 60 countries. Their cultural impact is hardly limited to their own music. They’ve become characters in GTA 5, produced beats for Drake, and collaborated with watchmaker Audemars Piguet. Rampa even founded TEILE, a hardware startup focusing on DJ and audio equipment.

In an interview with The Crimson, Rampa shared what it takes to stick around and still have fun after more than a decade in the electronic music business. One key factor is their relaxed approach to the creative process itself.

“I don't plan to go to the studio and be like, ‘Okay, I want to have this specific song’ because it doesn't work like that, at least not for me or for the guys,” Rampa said, describing their collaborative but free-flowing process. “It's more like fooling and playing around. And then a few times we've been lucky with hitting the right note at the right time.”

As with every collaborative project, disagreements occur between members sometimes. Since their mutual taste and vision are similar, there have never been major differences. For Rampa, it’s more than just being in-sync creatively, it also depends on their strong relationships.

“I think that comes also over time,” Rampa said, describing their group dynamics. “So since we have known each other for like 15 plus years or 20 years almost, there's a certain trust.”

Rampa shares candidly about balancing a solo career and being part of a music collective. He jokingly describes the group as his “little boy band.” Even though he sometimes does solo shows, he appreciates sharing songs, travels, and “the down times and the high times” with the group.

“It's kind of nice, because we have our base,” Rampa said. “And then you can step out and back in anytime you want.”

The challenges they face are in part fuelled by the ever-increasing standards set by their global success. In 2024, their global tour made a stop at the Giza Pyramids. Rampa reflects on how the pressure of trying to outdo themselves can create an “ugly situation” that “kills the vibe.”

“How can I top this?,” Rampa said. “If you just hunt numbers, or do something bigger and better, the pressure gets so much higher than the fun.”

The performance at such a high-profile location also gave Rampa clarity on his upcoming priorities. He envisions future events in terms of their audience engagement and their overall musical experience.

“I think just do, like, good parties and make sure, more than make it on a crazy venue, maybe improve the experience for the people,” he said when asked to reflect on the group’s next steps. “It should focus on the music and the experience itself, rather than only on hunting the Instagram story, you know?”

More broadly, to stay inspired and productive requires moderation. Rampa shares how saying no and reducing the number of shows is necessary to find the time to create new music. Without this, he finds it easy to become bored of playing the same music and losing his own sense of excitement.

“It's just having fun. I think in general, finding a good amount. Don't overdo it,” said Rampa, speaking about finding the balance between professional engagements and self-directed creativity. “You know, if you eat whatever lobster every day, it's not special and nice anymore. It's just annoying. Same with everything you overdo.”

Most of all, Rampa returns to the relationships that form the core of Keinemusik. He credits the longevity of Keinemusik’s success to the consistent work they put into the group's relationships.

“You have to put quite some work, not only in making new music and being funny at the party, but in the relationship,” Rampa said about the group. “I think this is the core. That's the foundation.”

Lastly, Rampa is candid in the advice he gives to upcoming musicians and aspiring DJs. Firstly, he recommends learning when to turn down opportunities in the short-term in order to achieve a longer-term vision.

“I think if I could travel back in time and give myself advice in the early stage, it would be that what you're not doing is as important as what you're doing,” he said. “Saying, no, never hurt my career, because there are a lot of temptations on the way that seem like quick benefits or success.”

Secondly, Rampa emphasizes the importance of keeping control over one's work, whether it's the rights or the creative control.

“We have our own publishing, own booking agency, own label, everything is owned, so we have full control,” he said, firmly. “So always keep the control over your art in your work and say no, because one day this will pay off big time.”

In an industry that often demands novelty in exchange for relevance, Rampa from Keinemusik is an example of how a steadfast vision and unwavering values can create legacies.

—Staff writer Sean Wang Zi-Ming can be reached at sean.wangzi-ming@thecrimson.com.