Scottish DJ/producer KILIMANJARO is having his moment right now, globally. In the past year, he’s been personally invited by Fred again.. as support on numerous shows, including their now legendary Boiler Room stream together, leading to a sought-after residency at Phonox in London, where he took control of the club for four consecutive weeks back in April. His tour schedule this past summer has been packed with some of the biggest festivals and clubs in Europe, including Glastonbury, Kappa Futur Festival, Circo Loco @ DC10 and Warehouse Project.

KILIMANJARO’s infectious energy behind the decks is second to none, and has a truly special ability to rouse a crowd, which will be showcased at his many forthcoming shows, including Ushuaia Closing in Ibiza and his All Night Long show at the legendary Village Underground in London on Nov 3rd. 

Alongside the release of his brand new single on Higher Ground with Junior Simba, “Channel Z,” we caught up with KILIMANJARO to discuss the release, tapping into emotions, and what’s next. 

Tell us about “Channel Z” with Junior Simba. How did that track come about? 

‘Channel Z’ is a culmination of two young passionate artists bringing their own unique energies, backgrounds and influences together to create one powerful record.

After a big night in Junior Simba’s now-home - Leeds, we jumped in the studio, and channeling our energy, we put together this high intensity track before laying down the “call and response” style vocals that you hear on the track today.

When did you two first meet and when did you decide to work together? 

We first met online back in early 2022 and built the friendship digitally for a few months before finally linking up in July of that year. It was a long time coming and getting in the studio together was an inevitability. One session was all we needed and here is the result.

How were you able to tap into that kind of energy for the vocal? 

I was going through a lot mentally at the time, so writing and creating music was my way of healing and dealing with that. My vocal is sung in English and non-linguistic tribal vocalisations that are an outward expression of my internal emotions. If you’ve seen me live then you’ll know that I’m all about energy and I wanted to inject that into the track too. 

You bring the same kind of energy to your performances. Have you always been a performer/entertainer throughout your life? 

I’ve been writing and performing music since I was 12 years old. I started off playing drums in bands early on before forming the live project, Our Future Project, with my brother and a close family friend. That we wrote, released and toured globally with for 10 years, before I made the switch over to my solo project, KILIMANJARO.

What have been some of your most memorable live moments this year, either at a club or a festival?

This year, I’ve been blessed with my busiest and most successful tour schedule to date. From starting the year off in the Warehouse Project Depot on NYE, to making my Berlin debut with Boiler Room in February and my Phonox residency across April. To a busy summer making debuts at the infamous Glastonbury and main stage at Kappa Futur festival in Turin, before my European tour in August with the highlights of Sziget festival, Razzmatazz in Barcelona and of course closing the main room at Circo Loco DC10.

It’s been an amazing year so far. I’m super blessed.

When you’re not touring or in the studio, what do you like to do? Do you have any other hobbies?

When I’m not working I try to spend as much time as I can with family and friends, both in London and back home in Scotland. Finding that work-life balance is key and I try to get to a spa and have massages every few weeks, whilst also playing football with my team in East London, Judas FC. Supporting Manchester United also consumes a large part of my life, but I don’t know if that is adding stress or bringing joy at the moment!

What are you looking forward to the most right now? 

Right now I’m really looking forward to continuing to write new music. I’ve got some amazing releases coming up over the next few months, which is super exciting but the music I’m writing now is some of my best yet and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it next year!

I’m also super gassed for my headline London show on November 3rd at Village Underground, where I’ll be doing a very special All Night Long set in one of my favourite London venues.