THE DOTS THAT AFROJACK CONNECTS

The Anywhere With You' hitmaker continues to approach his vocation with the same wide-eyed whimsy that ushered him into the early days of his success

- AARYAMAN TRIVEDI

THE ROLE OF A MUSIC producer is often subjected to continuous debate. Are you a craftsman, compelled to create something tangible out of the tools at your disposal? Or are you a dot connector? Linking ideas and sounds that most others would assume to be distant? Nick Van De Wall, known across the world as Afrojack, is the love child of these two schools of thought. “Electronic music has always had a kind of boundless universality to it. What drew me in was its ability to create an energy that transcends boundaries, cultures, and languages, almost like a universal language that connects people,” he says excitedly.

Having cemented his place as one of EDM’s most prolific DJs and producers for the better part of two decades, Afrojack continues to approach his vocation with the same wide-eyed whimsy that ushered him into the early days of his success.

On December 17, 2023, OnePlus celebrated its 10th anniversary by hosting the OnePlus AI Music Festival in Bengaluru, with Afrojack as the headlining act. A celebration of creativity, technology, and community spirit, the event served to highlight not only the changing tides of music production but also the stalwarts that are pushing the craft forward. The event embodied all the qualities of these stalwarts by bringing their creative processes to the forefront of the festival.

When asked about his process, the Dutch-born DJ said, “I’ve always believed in pushing boundaries and staying true to my roots. Over the years, I’ve experimented with various sounds and genres, always seeking a newer sound. My creative process has become more collaborative over the years. I’m all about exploring new techniques and tools. Technology has been a game-changer, opening up endless possibilities.”