Boys Noize[DE]

Photo by Shane McCauley.

Boys Noize, or Alexander Ridha, is a German DJ and producer who made his DJ debut at the age of 15. His approach is always evolving, and his dynamic music can hardly be contained – it has an energy that extends to the music he puts out on his longstanding, nonconformist label, Boysnoize Records as well as sub-label BNR Trax.

Opening with “& Down”, a tune comprised of robust synth lines and formidable percussion, 2007’s Oi Oi Oi was described as one of the “99 Greatest Dance Music Albums of All Time” (Vice). Boys Noize’s interest in EDM stretches across his decade-long output, with the most recent release, Mayday, featuring many of the same sonic staples. It features grimy collaborations with the likes of Benga and Hudson Mohawke, and its influences stretch across breakbeat, hip hop, dubstep, and techno.

His consistently banging output has earned him a range of accolades and titles; he was featured on a list of the "Top 10 DJs Who Rule The World" by Rolling Stone, and was deemed “Best Electronic Act” three years in a row by Beatport. Boys Noize has played all across the world, igniting stages at the likes of Coachella and Lollapalooza. He has remixed everyone from Depeche Mode and Daft Punk to Feist and Nine Inch Nails. Ridha has also collaborated with Snoop Dogg, Erol Alkan, and even Jarvis Cocker.