Artist spotlight: Yazz

Yazz’s path into music feels is instinctive. Growing up immersed in live instrumentation, she spent years playing drums and performing in jazz bands before discovering electronic music in her early twenties. That first rave marked a shift, turning a lifelong passion into a career.

Yazz’s DJ sets are immersive and rooted in rhythm and connection. Through her Dirty Techno platform and weekly streams, she’s built a space that champions emerging artists while steadily growing her own presence in the scene. We caught up with Yazz to find out more about her background, productions, sets, milestones and what she has lined up for the future.

Where did you grow up and where are you based?

Yazz: I grew up on Long Island, New York, and I’m currently based in Connecticut.

What were your early experiences with music?

Yazz: Music has been part of my life from a very early age. I started playing drums at nine and later picked up other instruments, including the saxophone and clarinet. Throughout middle and high school, I was actively involved in jazz band, which played a big role in shaping my musical foundation.

When and how did you get into electronic music?

Yazz: My love for electronic music started around 2015 when I went to my first rave at Webster Hall. That experience completely changed everything for me, and from that moment on, I was hooked.

What made you decide to learn to DJ and produce?

Yazz: I’ve always been passionate about music, and I’ve naturally been the one setting the vibe — my playlists were always the life of the party. I remember being in charge of the music at a friend’s party and seeing how much joy and energy it brought to everyone. That moment made me realize I wanted to create those experiences on a bigger scale. A week later, I bought my first DJ controller.

A few years later, I got into production. I’ve always wanted to stand out and create something unique. I believe in the idea of “create what you want to hear,” so I started making music that reflects my own vision and sound.

What were your ambitions when you were first starting out?

Yazz: Honestly, my goal hasn’t really changed since the beginning. I’ve always wanted to play big stages and use music to spread love and happiness. Music has a unique power — it brings people together, creates connection, and reminds us of joy. If I can help unite people through music, then I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

Can you tell me about Dirty Techno and your weekly streams?

Yazz: Dirty Techno started with one of my close friends as a TikTok page reposting techno videos. I offered to help grow the brand, and soon we were uploading original content. I’ll never forget waking up one morning to see a video we posted had over a million views — it was a turning point that helped us grow our following fast.

As my presence in the scene grew, my friend let me take full control of Dirty Techno. I began streaming weekly, eventually inviting guest DJs to join. Every Tuesday is now Techno Tuesday, and the platform has become a space for emerging artists to showcase their talent. Today, we have over 50k followers on TikTok and keep growing. Looking ahead, the plan for Dirty Techno is to host our own parties and release original music. There’s a lot coming, so stay tuned!

What are the key milestones of your career so far?

Yazz: I’ve been fortunate to have so many incredible opportunities along the way. Supporting some of my favorite artists, like Luigi Madonna and Frankie Bones, has been surreal and truly full circle for me. One of my proudest moments came last year when I released my first official EP Sirens— it charted for several months and even hit number one on Beatport in the Raw/Deep/Hypnotic genre. That was a huge validation of all the hard work and passion I’ve poured into my music.

What can someone expect from a Yazz set?

Yazz:A Yazz set is all about the journey. You can expect to be immersed in my beats and rhythms, letting the music take over. My goal is to create a space where everyone feels free, loses themselves in the moment, and dances like no one’s watching.

What exciting events/releases do you have lined up in the next few months?

Yazz: I’ve got a lot of exciting things coming up! I’m gearing up for a live stream for “Support women DJs”, and I’ll be making my debut at 99 Scott on April 24th, setting the vibe for Juliet Fox and Joyhauser. What I’m most excited about, though, is my next EP — it’s going to be bigger than ever, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it!

Where do you hope to be as an artist in 5 years?

Yazz: In five years, I hope to continue growing and gaining even more wisdom as an artist. My goal is to travel the world, sharing my love and passion for music with audiences everywhere, and to keep playing on the biggest stages while doing it.

Catch Yazz at 99 Scott on April 24th, and for all her latest news and events, follow Yazz on Instagram.