KILIMANJARO live

Who they are

• 

  KILIMANJARO

  Glasgow, United Kingdom

  “KILIMANJARO’s Zambian roots can be felt in the Afro-centric percussive energy that has become the bedrock of a sound he’s been crafting since his teens.”

  their own biography

  the whole biography

  KILIMANJARO’s Zambian roots can be felt in the Afro-centric percussive energy that has become the bedrock of a sound he’s been crafting since his teens. As he approaches the next stage of his career, KILIMANJARO is relishing the challenge of further forging his path as an artist and performer. KILIMANJARO’s electronic rock background has served as a launchpad for his artistry today where he cites Bloc Party, Black Coffee, The Prodigy and Daft Punk as influences that have inspired at various points in his career. From the age of twelve, KILIMANJARO’s foray into drumming has stayed with him throughout his career. Having a long and storied background in music, KILIMANJARO’s roots can be found playing in bands across Scotland. Used to the cult followings and dedicated fans that will queue up for hours to see their favourite local band play, he’s more than aware that embarking on a career as an artist, DJ and producer is a marathon – one that he is poised to take to new heights in the coming months. After spending years Djing the Scottish circuit in cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh, KILIMANJARO moved down to London in order to establish himself and find a footing in a city that’s been leading the way in electronic music for decades. These moments were pivotal for KILIMANJARO as he crafted and built his sound and paid those early dues, playing every weekend usually at small shows. Many take this stage of a DJ’s career for granted but it allowed KILIMANJARO to build a loyal following as his name began to resonate. In 2021, he launched KILIMANJARO MUSIC at La Cheetah in Glasgow, which focused on championing black, POC, female and other marginalised artists across the UK, something he continues to do to this day. KILIMANJARO studied Product Design at art school which allowed him to further express himself creatively. In addition his keen interest in fashion led him to modelling. Fashion remains integral to his artistry, where the DJ booth has become his runway of sorts and a natural progression. Last season, KILIMANJARO was featured as a model in the launch for Manchester United’s 23/24 kit and was handpicked by Moncler to perform at a Fashion Week party in Milan where Pharrell was in attendance. With over a decade working in and around music, KILIMANJARO’s buoyed by the next steps of the journey he’s embarking on as an artist, beginning with the release of his first EP via Capitol Records in early 2025. KILIMANJARO describes the forthcoming EP as a celebration of the darker, underground raves he grew up on, incorporating vocals and melodies, drums with high energy and what he calls “Sounds of the Motherland”. KILIMANJARO may not be a drummer anymore in the traditional sense but his experience still informs the percussive-led production and sets he’s become known for. “This EP is about beginnings and origins. I’m just trying to tell a story about how I’ve been feeling over the past few years and hopefully show the transition I’ve made, celebrating the trials, tribulations and successes that have brought me to this point - The Jump Off.” KILIMANJARO’s charismatic style of performance has led to him appear on DJ Mag and Mixmag streams this year but what really put him on a global stage was when Fred Again personally invited him to perform a Boiler Room London set in 2022, which has amassed over 1.5 million views and still continues to grow. “Working with Fred in his early run and seeing someone that’s so dedicated to their craft was really special and truly inspirational,” KILIMANJARO says. This year, he also played Parklife, Glastonbury, Junction 2 and All Points East as well as DC-10 and Ushuaia Ibiza on the White Isle and toured key European clubs and festivals consistently. To close out a tremendous 2024, KILIMANJARO will embark on a run of shows in the US and South America as well as upcoming gigs at The Warehouse Project and Drumsheds. His forthcoming EP follows the release of his collaborative two-track project with Melé on YORUBA RIDDIM EP, which came out in July 2024. The release was the duo’s debut on Warehouse Project Records and exhibits both their approaches to their tribal, rhythmic sound. KILIMANJARO took another giant step this Autumn with the release of his collaboration with Jazzy entitled ‘No Bad Vibes’. The track gives a feeling of elation and joy when listening and is an embodiment of the key pillars that the artist lives by when creating music. Throughout the years, KILIMANJARO has soaked up all of the experiences and influences from his peers and used them to build his own identity and space. More than anything, he’s enjoying the highs and appreciating the lows that have brought him to this point in his career, “I’m excited to take the next steps as an artist and performer. This first EP is a culmination of the past ten years and I'm excited to deliver my vision to the world,” he says, and as he keeps evolving, so does his artistry.
  SoundCloud ↗
  Their RA profile lists Another Rhythm and Remmah.

  often with Chloé Robinson, hitty, Honey Bun, none of them here on Wednesday