RISE invites AWEN
Maaya, Berlin
This night happened — Sat 7 Feb
Press play
Who was billed5 artists
In the order the promoter listed them.
Set times were not published.
Most of these pairings were meeting for the first time that night.
the pairs that have met
5 of the 10 pairings on this bill were first meetings.
- Ukãi Ndame and Walter Griot — 5 shared bills before that night, first on Sat 23 Aug 2025.
- JANE RYSE and Ukãi Ndame — 2 shared bills before that night, first on Sat 6 Dec 2025.
- Hyenah and Ukãi Ndame — 2 shared bills before that night, first on Sun 24 Aug 2025.
- Hyenah and Walter Griot — 2 shared bills before that night, first on Sun 24 Aug 2025.
- JANE RYSE and Walter Griot — 1 shared bill before that night, first on Sat 6 Dec 2025.
Who they are
“In Celtic mythology, everyone knows the magical AWEN, but there are disagreements about what it is and, mostly, what it can do.”
their own biography
the whole biography
In Celtic mythology, everyone knows the magical AWEN, but there are disagreements about what it is and, mostly, what it can do. Some believe it’s a spirit that gives glimpses of the future, while others affirm it’s a symbol of balance between opposites. However, for most people, it is a woman, the muse of creativity - and the artists she touches act like they were possessed. When singer-songwriter AWEN chose this name, she wasn’t aware of these implications. But, strangely, she couldn’t have picked a better one: she embodies all of these ideas. AWEN has always navigated between distant worlds. Born in Paris from a French mother and a Malian-Senegalese father, she’s long been torn between her passion for singing and her successful career in Hong Kong as a lawyer. But when her father passed away in 2016, she decided to give up her job and move back to France to try to become a professional artist. Building upon her cultural heritage and her musical tastes (she grew up listening to artists such as Nina Simone, Bob Marley and Marvin Gaye), AWEN started to produce her unique style of Afro-house. It mixed electronic instrumentation with timeless melodies - and a touch of spirituality. “In Western Africa, our family name has a special perception”, she explains. “It’s the name of a legendary sorcerer king; that’s why I describe myself as an Afro-house witch”, she laughs, before adding: “but I mostly like the fact that, nowadays, witches have become icons of feminism and freedom.” In 2019, AWEN released her first solo album, Redemption. It was followed by 6 EPs and singles, including collaborations with upcoming afro-house stars such as Floyd Lavine, Daniel Rateuke or Enoo Napa. It includes “Your Voice” with Caiiro (2020), a song that channels raw feelings of faith, love and hope with such intensity that many listeners wondered if the lyrics were about God - AWEN actually wrote them as a letter to her son, who was unborn yet. “Your Voice” gained a cult status that made it unescapable among house fans - with the exception of Adam Port. Strangely enough, the legendary DJ/producer only heard it for the first time two years after its release (!), while he was in a bar in Istanbul. Impressed, he shazamed it and proposed to produce a remix. Released in 2022, his version confirmed the song as a global sensation: it dominated the Beatport charts and took Coachella by storm when AWEN performed it on stage. “My son was born after I wrote “Your Voice” for him”, she says. “All the blessings I get from this song... I feel like they are gifts from him.” With her other hits “Gold” and “Kusimama”, plus a release on legendary label DFTD (“Time”, with Christoph), AWEN’s futuristic blend of empowering lyrics and mysterious universe seduces an ever-growing global audience. “My dad came from Africa, my mom is European, and I lived several years in Asia. I feel like I belong everywhere”, she says with a smile. One of the other reasons of AWEN’s success is her ability to transcend her repertoire on stage. Standing at 1m83 (6 ft.) with her signature braids and a deep voice, the artist is a commanding presence that captivates concertgoers across the world. “I’m mixing, I’m singing, I’m proposing a visual experience”, she details. “I want my performances to be a whole experience. I want to give Afro House the global visibility it deserves.” It might just be a question of time. Because when your name is a call to the divine, some things are just meant to be.Their RA profile lists DFTD and Madorasindahouse.often with Andhim, Eli Escobar, CLOSED SESSIONS, none of them here that night
“If music is the answer.”
their own biography
the whole biography
If music is the answer. What is the question?Recently at Maaya, Pastiche, Bricks Berlin · often with SALIMATA, M.E.M.O., Beck to Pony, none of them here that night
Recently at Studio1111, Kater, Maaya · often with Jacky-Oh Weinhaus, DJ JuVi, Trust.The.Girl, none of them here that night
“Her southern African heritage is an important part of her identity, therefore her focus on Afro Electronic Sounds such as Afro House, Afro Tech, Gqom and Kuduro are an obvious choice within her DJing career.”
their own biography
the whole biography
Her southern African heritage is an important part of her identity, therefore her focus on Afro Electronic Sounds such as Afro House, Afro Tech, Gqom and Kuduro are an obvious choice within her DJing career. Her passion for the art of music began at a very young age, deeply influenced by her environment. Ukai calls herself an artist, because besides being a Djane she doesn’t let anything stop her from being creative, pushing her boundaries and doing what she wants. Fashion is her other passion, which she combines with her music, by djing live at her self organised Pop-Up Store events. She likes being her authentic self and does so unapologetically. When Ukai started her DJing career, the Afrotech sound was not so common in Germany. In 2012 the event series “The Afrohouse Experience” by Freak de l’Afrique was the steppingstone that finally gave her a platform to play. Ever since, she has used every chance and possibility to perform. In 2018 Ukai broadened her area of expertise by becoming a producer. In 2021, she released her first single “Keine Zeit”, which means “No Time” and is available on all streaming platforms. This has been an exciting milestone in Ukai’s career. The single reflects the way she is in her life. The circumstances and effects of the Co-Vid 19 pandemic led her to realize that life is too short to wait for the perfect time, because every moment is the perfect time to show the world your talent. Today, Ukai has played in various parts of Europe, as well as many African countries such, Kenya, Mozambique, Madagascar, Senegal and finally in her home base, Angola.Recently at Maaya, Studio1111 · often with Mista Wallizz, Yunbinos, Kapote, none of them here that night
Recently at Maaya, Studio1111 · often with NAIR (IN), Denno Matini, Idd Aziz, none of them here that night
names these artists often play with — not that night
- NAIR (IN)1 with Ukãi Ndame and 1 with Walter Griot
- Mista Wallizz4 with Ukãi Ndame
- A.tari2 with Ukãi Ndame
- Andhim2 with AWEN
- Kapote2 with Ukãi Ndame
- Marc Homer2 with Ukãi Ndame
- SALIMATA2 with JANE RYSE
- Yunbinos2 with Ukãi Ndame
102 said they were going — much busier than a usual Saturday at Maaya.
how this compares
- Median final count, Saturdays at Maaya6
- Middle half finished between2 and 18
- Past Saturdays at this venue counted29
The room
Maaya — 113 events and 410 distinct artists since Aug 2025.
Most-tagged here: Afrobeat (6), Afro House (4), Amapiano (3) and House (3). genre tags on this room’s listings