When scenes move faster than structures can hold, what makes an independent dance label a twenty-year outlier?

Co-founder of Mobilee Records, Ralf Kollmann reflects on two decades at the heart of electronic music, navigating seismic shifts in technology, culture, and the economics of independent labels. Recorded in Berlin during Mobilee’s 20th anniversary year, this conversation traces a long view from the dancefloor, from collective beginnings with Anja Schneider, and genre-fluid curation, to the pressures facing labels and artists today.

With characteristic honesty, Ralf explores what has changed, what has endured, and why patience, timing, and restraint have become radical tools in an industry increasingly driven by volume, visibility, and constant output. It’s a conversation about longevity over momentum, intuition over noise, and building structures that can survive more than a moment.

“Survival isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about knowing when to move, and when to pause.” - Ralf Kollmann

Join us as we explore:

✅ What it takes to sustain an independent label across 20 years

✅ Why collectives form, evolve, and sometimes dissolve

✅ Timing, trust, and the human side of A&R decisions

✅ The pressure of constant output in the streaming era

✅ Revisiting the catalogue over chasing the next release

✅ Immersive audio, Dolby Atmos, and the question of adoption

➤ Follow us at:

⁠Instagram:⁠⁠ @missionmakers⁠

⁠Instagram:⁠⁠ @dj.n1nja⁠

⁠TikTok:⁠⁠ @dj_n1nja⁠

⁠Soundcloud:⁠⁠ @dj-ninja⁠

➤ Credits:

Music: Mission Makers - N1NJA (Unreleased)

Producer: Farah Nanji

➤ For show notes + more on our host visit:⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://mission-makers.com/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.dj-ninja.com/⁠⁠

How does spoken word reshape the way we experience dance music?

Lazarusman is a South African spoken word artist, DJ, and Grammy-nominated collaborator who has worked with some of the most respected names in electronic music, including Stimming, Âme, and Booka Shade. Born in Soweto to Mozambican parents who fled civil war, Lazarusman’s journey is one of resilience, identity, and creative defiance.

What began as a search for belonging in post-apartheid South Africa evolved into a mission to fuse poetry with house music, crafting thought-provoking textures that resonate on dance floors worldwide. From being rejected by local labels to commanding stages across Europe and beyond, he shares candid insights on finding his voice, overcoming industry pressures, and staying true to his art.

“If you trade your truth for acceptance, you give away your freedom.”

➤ Watch the FULL PODCAST here: 

⁠http://bit.ly/4p7NBdj⁠

Join us as we explore:

✅ How apartheid’s “hangover” shaped a generation’s identity and creativity

✅ Why stepping outside of South Africa’s boxes became his creative liberation

✅ The art of weaving universal truths into spoken word and DJ sets

✅ How Formula 1 inspires his outlook on life

✅ Balancing parenthood with the demands of a global music career

✅ His reflections on the future of electronic music

➤ Follow us at:

Instagram:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/missionmakers/

⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/dj.n1nja/⁠⁠

X:⁠⁠ https://x.com/dj_n1nja⁠⁠

TikTok:⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@dj_n1nja⁠⁠

Soundcloud:⁠⁠ https://soundcloud.com/dj-ninja⁠⁠

➤ Credits:

Music: Mission Makers - N1NJA (Unreleased)

Producer: Farah Nanji

➤ For show notes + more on our host visit:

⁠⁠https://mission-makers.com/

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dj-ninja.com/⁠⁠

How does spoken word reshape the way we experience dance music?

Lazarusman is a South African spoken word artist, DJ, and Grammy-nominated collaborator who has worked with some of the most respected names in electronic music, including Stimming, Âme, and Booka Shade. Born in Soweto to Mozambican parents who fled civil war, Lazarusman’s journey is one of resilience, identity, and creative defiance.

What began as a search for belonging in post-apartheid South Africa evolved into a mission to fuse poetry with house music, crafting thought-provoking textures that resonate on dance floors worldwide. From being rejected by local labels to commanding stages across Europe and beyond, he shares candid insights on finding his voice, overcoming industry pressures, and staying true to his art.

“If you trade your truth for acceptance, you give away your freedom.”

➤ Watch the FULL PODCAST here: 

⁠http://bit.ly/4p7NBdj

Join us tomorrow as we explore:

✅ How apartheid’s “hangover” shaped a generation’s identity and creativity

✅ Why stepping outside of South Africa’s boxes became his creative liberation

✅ The art of weaving universal truths into spoken word and DJ sets

✅ How Formula 1 inspires his outlook on life

✅ Balancing parenthood with the demands of a global music career

✅ His reflections on the future of electronic music

➤ Follow us at:

Instagram:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/missionmakers/⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/dj.n1nja/⁠⁠

X:⁠⁠ https://x.com/dj_n1nja⁠⁠

TikTok:⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@dj_n1nja⁠⁠

Soundcloud:⁠⁠ https://soundcloud.com/dj-ninja⁠⁠

➤ Credits:

Music: Mission Makers - N1NJA (Unreleased)

Producer: Farah Nanji

➤ For show notes + more on our host visit:⁠

⁠https://mission-makers.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

https://www.dj-ninja.com/⁠⁠

When success is measured in moments, how do you build something that lasts?

One of the most recognisable voices in house music, Mr. V reflects on a career spanning more than three decades, from the golden era of New York house to today’s global circuit.

Recorded live at Amsterdam Dance Event, Mr. V unpacks the unseen realities behind the anthems - from creative ownership and life on the road to the quiet choices required to build something meaningful over time. It’s a reflection on patience over pressure, craft over clout, and what it really means to build something that endures in a culture constantly chasing the next moment

“This is a marathon. If you want to last, you have to be ready for the long road.” Mr. V.

Join us as we explore:

✅ Writing The Vibe with N1NJA

✅ The real story behind Jus’ Dance

✅ The hidden pressures on vocalists

✅ Protecting the voice in the age of AI

✅ Phones vs presence on the dancefloor

✅ Navigating ego, narcissism, and power

✅ The values that outlast trends in dance music

➤ Follow us at:

⁠Instagram:⁠⁠ @missionmakers⁠

⁠Instagram:⁠⁠ @dj.n1nja⁠

⁠TikTok:⁠⁠ @dj_n1nja⁠

⁠Soundcloud:⁠⁠ @dj-ninja⁠

➤ Credits:

Music: Mission Makers - N1NJA (Unreleased)

Producer: Farah Nanji

➤ For show notes + more on our host visit:

⁠⁠⁠https://mission-makers.com/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.dj-ninja.com/⁠⁠

When success accelerates faster than you can breathe, how do you stop the dream from becoming the thing that breaks you?

Recorded live at Amsterdam Dance Event, we unpack the unseen reality of one of electronic music’s most quietly influential polymaths - producer, film composer, DJ, and Days Like Nights label boss Eelke Kleijn. From viral performances like his Cercle show to scoring trailers and gaming worlds, Eelke has built a career that spans genres, industries, and decades. But behind the milestones is a deeper story: creative processes built on patience rather than pressure, the near-burnout that followed his post-Covid touring boom, and the personal recalibration required to remain an artist, a father, and a human being in an increasingly metrics-driven landscape.

Grounded, reflective, and disarmingly honest, Eelke opens up about the emotional toll of touring, why introversion shapes the way he performs, how becoming a parent transformed his relationship to time, and what it means to build a label for music that doesn’t fit anywhere else. This is a rare look into the inner mechanics of an artist redefining longevity on his own terms - slowing down in a world that only knows how to speed up.

“Consistency is everything — you have to train creativity like a muscle.” — Eelke Kleijn

Join us as we explore:

✅ Reflections from ADE 2025

✅ The artist vs the algorithm

✅ Burnout, balance, and building a sustainable artistic life

✅ How fatherhood reshaped his identity and his calendar

✅ The emotional cost of touring as an introvert

✅ The relationship between Armada and his label

✅ His love for cars & F1

➤ Follow us at:

⁠Instagram:⁠⁠ @missionmakers⁠

⁠Instagram:⁠⁠ @dj.n1nja⁠

⁠TikTok:⁠⁠ @dj_n1nja⁠

⁠Soundcloud:⁠⁠ @dj-ninja⁠

➤ Credits:

Music: Mission Makers - N1NJA (Unreleased)

Producer: Farah Nanji

➤ For show notes + more on our host visit:⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://mission-makers.com/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://www.dj-ninja.com/⁠⁠⁠

When the industry demands boxes, what happens to the artists who don’t fit inside them?

As the electronic music world accelerates and algorithms dictate the spotlight, what does it really take to succeed in the artistic mission? Recorded live at Amsterdam Dance Event, this special episode dives into the emotional, spiritual, and structural realities of life as a modern artist with Enamour - one of the most musically dexterous and introspective voices in the scene today.

Rooted in decades of musicianship and shaped by Washington D.C.’s underground, Enamour has earned support across Rose Avenue, Anjunadeep, Abracadabra, and beyond. But behind the success lies a far deeper story: the psychology of creativity, the quiet battles of perfectionism, the hidden economics of touring, and the slow erosion of the “middle class” of musicians navigating today’s increasingly commercialised landscape.

“Creativity works best when you stop trying to control it and start learning to listen to it.” - Enamour

Join us as we explore:

✅ Reflections from ADE 2025

✅ The real emotional cost of the artist's life

✅ Why genre fluidity is both a gift and a gamble

✅ The truths behind DJ fees + a shrinking creative middle class

✅ How fans unknowingly influence culture + lineups

✅ Building a career without losing your centre

➤ Follow us at:

Instagram:⁠⁠ @missionmakers

Instagram:⁠⁠ @dj.n1nja

TikTok:⁠⁠ @dj_n1nja

Soundcloud:⁠⁠ @dj-ninja

➤ Credits:

Music: Mission Makers - N1NJA (Unreleased)

Producer: Farah Nanji

➤ For show notes + more on our host visit:

⁠⁠https://mission-makers.com/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.dj-ninja.com/⁠⁠

As Ibiza evolves, how does its soul survive the commercialization of club culture?

Igor Marijuan is one of Ibiza’s most influential tastemakers — a DJ, radio pioneer, Artistic Director of Ibiza Global Radio, and Music Director of Akasha, two cultural cornerstones of the island’s precious sonic identity. For over two decades, he’s helped define what the world hears when it thinks of Ibiza: free-spirited, timeless, and deeply rooted in community.

From the early days of underground radio to building the sound movement of Akasha during the stillness of the pandemic, Igor has redefined what club culture can stand for: music over money and essence over ego. In this episode, he shares his vision for a more sustainable future for the island and the electronic scene at large - one that honors authenticity, accessibility, and respect for the music’s spiritual roots by rejecting inflated headline fees and honoring community instead of competition.

“Everyone wants to take from Ibiza. Few ask what they’re giving back.”

Join us as we explore:

✅ How Ibiza’s soul endures beyond the social media illusion 

✅Pushing back against astronomical DJ fees and exclusivity contracts

✅ The new realities in 2025 between venues and artists in Ibiza

✅ How to build longevity as an artist in the age of algorithms

✅ The cultural divide shaping the North of the island

✅ What bookers really look for when receiving 50+ requests a day

➤ Watch the FULL PODCAST here: 

http://bit.ly/4p7NBdj

➤ Follow us at:

Instagram:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/missionmakers/

⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/dj.n1nja/⁠⁠

X:⁠⁠ https://x.com/dj_n1nja⁠

⁠TikTok:⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@dj_n1nja

⁠⁠Soundcloud:⁠⁠ https://soundcloud.com/dj-ninja⁠⁠

➤ Credits:

Music: Mission Makers - N1NJA (Unreleased)

Producer: Farah Nanji

As Ibiza evolves, how does its soul survive the commercialization of club culture?

Igor Marijuan is one of Ibiza’s most influential tastemakers — a DJ, radio pioneer, Artistic Director of Ibiza Global Radio, and Music Director of Akasha, two cultural cornerstones of the island’s precious sonic identity. For over two decades, he’s helped define what the world hears when it thinks of Ibiza: free-spirited, timeless, and deeply rooted in community.

From the early days of underground radio to building the sound movement of Akasha during the stillness of the pandemic, Igor has redefined what club culture can stand for: music over money and essence over ego. In this episode, he shares his vision for a more sustainable future for the island and the electronic scene at large - one that honors authenticity, accessibility, and respect for the music’s spiritual roots by rejecting inflated headline fees and honoring community instead of competition.

Join us tomorrow as we explore:

✅ How Ibiza’s soul endures beyond the social media illusion 

✅Pushing back against astronomical DJ fees and exclusivity contracts

✅ The new realities in 2025 between venues and artists in Ibiza

✅ How to build longevity as an artist in the age of algorithms

✅ The cultural divide shaping the North of the island

✅ What bookers really look for when receiving 50+ requests a day

“Everyone wants to take from Ibiza. Few ask what they’re giving back.”

➤ Watch the FULL PODCAST here: 

http://bit.ly/4p7NBdj

➤ Follow us at:

Instagram:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/missionmakers/⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/dj.n1nja/⁠⁠

X:⁠⁠ https://x.com/dj_n1nja⁠⁠

TikTok:⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@dj_n1nja

⁠⁠Soundcloud:⁠⁠ https://soundcloud.com/dj-ninja

⁠⁠

➤ Credits:

Music: Mission Makers - N1NJA (Unreleased)

Producer: Farah Nanji

➤ For show notes + more on our host visit:⁠⁠

https://mission-makers.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dj-ninja.com/⁠⁠

➤ Watch the FULL PODCAST here: 

https://tinyurl.com/missionmakerspod

How are emerging artists balancing creativity with industry realities?

Recorded live at Blue Marlin Ibiza London, this special episode offers an inside look at Sounds of Khemit, one of the fastest-growing organic house imprints in the electronic music scene. Joined by label founder Nhii and four of their talented artists—Kakura (Amber Haque and Sean Crowther), B.o.T (Khayal Khan and Dan Calabrese), and host N1NJA—we dive deep into creativity, community, and what it takes to break through as an emerging artist in 2025.

Sounds of Khemit fuses ancient Khemitian mythology with cutting-edge electronic music, creating a global movement of inclusivity and connection. From curating showcases in cities like Copenhagen and Berlin to prioritizing authenticity in a saturated market, Nhii and his artists share invaluable insights on building longevity in the music industry.

Join us as we explore:

✅ Balancing artistic integrity with the realities of the industry 

✅ Why building strong networks is as crucial as creating great music

✅ The role of boundaries and storytelling in fostering creativity

✅ Why authenticity and passion always outweigh trends

➤ Follow us at:

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/missionmakers/⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/dj.n1nja/⁠⁠⁠

X:⁠⁠ https://x.com/dj_n1nja⁠⁠

TikTok:⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@dj_n1nja⁠⁠

Soundcloud:⁠⁠ https://soundcloud.com/dj-ninja⁠⁠

➤ Credits:

Music: Mission Makers - N1NJA (Unreleased)

Producer: Farah Nanji

➤ For show notes + more on our host visit:⁠⁠

https://mission-makers.com/

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dj-ninja.com/⁠⁠

➤ Watch the FULL PODCAST here: 

https://tinyurl.com/missionmakerspod

How are emerging artists balancing creativity with industry realities?

Recorded live at Blue Marlin Ibiza London, this special episode offers an inside look at Sounds of Khemit, one of the fastest-growing organic house imprints in the electronic music scene. Joined by label founder Nhii and four of their talented artists—Kakura (Amber Haque and Sean Crowther), B.o.T (Khayal Khan and Dan Calabrese), and host N1NJA—we dive deep into creativity, community, and what it takes to break through as an emerging artist in 2025.

Sounds of Khemit fuses ancient Khemitian mythology with cutting-edge electronic music, creating a global movement of inclusivity and connection. From curating showcases in cities like Copenhagen and Berlin to prioritizing authenticity in a saturated market, Nhii and his artists share invaluable insights on building longevity in the music industry.

Join us tomorrow as we explore:

✅ Balancing artistic integrity with the realities of the industry 

✅ Why building strong networks is as crucial as creating great music

✅ The role of boundaries and storytelling in fostering creativity

✅ Why authenticity and passion always outweigh trends

➤ Follow us at:

Instagram:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/missionmakers/

⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/dj.n1nja/⁠⁠

X:⁠⁠ https://x.com/dj_n1nja⁠⁠

TikTok:⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@dj_n1nja⁠⁠

Soundcloud:⁠⁠ https://soundcloud.com/dj-ninja⁠⁠

➤ Credits:

Music: Mission Makers - N1NJA (Unreleased)

Producer: Farah Nanji

➤ For show notes + more on our host visit:⁠⁠

https://mission-makers.com/

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.dj-ninja.com/⁠⁠