It surely is no coincidence that the arrival of spring in Berlin aligns with this year’s first edition of Your Love going down at Panorama Bar—hosts Lakuti and Tama Sumo have invited Colleen ‚Cosmo‘ Murphy and Suze Ijó to even further the spectrum of quality house music that is key to their party series. Prior to the dancing, Lakuti had a few questions for Suze Ijó.
What was it like growing up in Rotterdam and what role did the city play in shaping your music taste?
Rotterdam is a port city with lots of people passing through from all over the world, so I was influenced by music from everywhere growing up. There used to be a very vibrant nightlife scene here and I started going out and working in nightlife from a very young age. I was hooked. dancehall, bubbling, R’n’B, Hip-Hop, and this thing we used to call „eclectic,“ which was basically electronic music with Latin and Afro influences.
I used to work in production and artist handling for a party called „360 Degrees“ by Guido van Dieren. He really opened my mind to the deeper and more soulful side of music, and since then there’s been no turning back for me. I was very lucky to work there and witness some of the greats play in such an intimate setting. At the time I did not realise how special that was, but it was definitely a turning point for me.
You have familial ties in Curaçao. Have you been there and has that in any way shaped your music taste?
My dad still lives there, so I try to visit every year to see him and to spend time in my place of heritage. Musically, I think the island has definitely influenced me. I love the sound of the clave, the different types of percussion, and the call and response style of music. I think that stems from growing up with a lot of Caribbean and Latin music.
Sonically, I really dig the work of Trinidadian Deep, for example. When I listen closely, it’s so clear to me what draws me to his sound. It is that strong Caribbean influence in his music.
The scene in Europe is lacking when it comes to Black DJs at the moment. Are there any Black DJs, particularly female DJs, you want to encourage club bookers to pay attention to?
For sure. There are so many talented DJs who are being overlooked by the scene. I have always loved Jenifa Mayanja’s productions, but I have yet to see her play in the Netherlands. The same goes for the legendary Yvonne Turner. These women are pioneers in the sound I love, and I hope to see them more often on this side of the world. I know you have collaborated a lot with Yvonne Turner for Your Love, and I think that’s incredible. Hopefully I get to see her someday at Your Love.
I also love Paulete Lindacelva. She is a producer and DJ from Brazil. I have been lucky enough to hear her play in Brazil and it is always an incredible treat, especially when she does a closing set. She has been to Europe a few times, but I definitely think she deserves more of the spotlight.
Someone who recently got my attention is Selassie TBC. I heard him play for the first time at We Out Here Festival and I was really blown away by his sound. When it comes to talent based here in The Netherlands, I would say Nedda Sou and Charmaine. Both are highly skilled DJs with a wonderful sound.
Like myself and Tama Sumo, New York has played a pivotal role in what we do. What is it about the city that continues to inspire and excite you?
What inspires me about New York is the history of nightlife, of dance music, and its continuity to this day. I have yet to enter a dance floor anywhere else in the world where I am surrounded by people who have been going out to places like The Loft, The Gallery, and Paradise Garage and who continue to keep the musical tradition alive. Obviously there is gentrification and it is no utopia. Some places are definitely more Euro-centred, but I think the real deal is not hard to find.
It is probably the city that inspires me the most when it comes to my own musical journey. Coming from a city that is filled with people from all over the globe, especially Black, Caribbean, and Latino communities, I recognise a lot of myself in New York. I grew up dancing and I still do to this day, and there are no better dancers than on a NYC dancefloor, hands down. I have had so many spontaneous, playful dance sessions and met so many people while being out on the floor.
One of my favourite things to do while I am there is visit record shops and look for second hand records. I always imagine the history behind them and wonder whose hands they were in before eventually ending up in mine. I feel very grateful to be able to share my music in the city and to receive so much love in return.
Any new releases or artists turning you on right now and what would those be?
I am a really big fan of the music of Cool Affair, a South African producer of soulful music. It varies from house to broken beat to jazz, and I catch myself buying and playing their music quite often. It just has this special quality to it.
The latest Mim Suleiman album is also really amazing. Other than that, in January I went to Body & Soul in NYC and they played Stacy Kidd featuring Tiffany Jenkins – „Let It Blow“(Afro Jazz Extended Remix). It has been stuck in my head ever since.
Your Love
6. März 2026
Panorama Bar
Berlin
