In a sea of emerging talent, Vladan Krstic, better known by his stage name, KICA, has carved out his unique place in the electronic music landscape. After captivating audiences this summer with hits like Cuckoo featuring Yohnani and Clockwork, KICA has returned with his latest track, 2 AM, a minimal tech masterpiece already generating buzz. Released on August 16th via his own KICA Records, the track draws from his deep well of late-night creativity and showcases his signature style of introspective yet driving beats. Download/stream it here: https://hypeddit.com/kica003.
KICA’s journey to becoming a prominent figure in the UAE’s dance scene is anything but ordinary. Once a professional athlete and curator of extreme sports events, where he worked with top DJs like Ricardo Villalobos and The Martinez Brothers, KICA was eventually inspired to spin beats himself. By 2020, he was one of the most in-demand DJs in the UAE, and his debut single, Mini, climbed to 4th place on Beatport, followed by a slew of hits such as Street Dance, Dor E Dor, and Caje Caje.
In a recent interview, KICA shared the creative process behind 2 AM, a track born out of a late-night studio session that perfectly captures the mysterious energy of working in the early hours. He explained, “2 AM is more than just a track; it’s a moment captured in time. Whilst playing ‘Better Life’, I felt a sudden surge of creativity. As I played the bassline, the first four notes unveiled a completely new song. Before I knew it, I was immersed in creating this track. It all came together at 2 AM.”
The track is a hypnotic blend of primal beats, a driving bassline, and glitch synths. It’s the kind of music that invites listeners to dive deeper with every play. “‘2 AM’ isn’t about repetition but about keeping listeners hooked with subtle details,” KICA explained. “The track features unique sounds and shifting elements that keep your ears engaged. The key is to create a sense of mystery and curiosity, so listeners want to hear it again and again to catch every little detail.”
Having drawn inspiration from legends like Ricardo Villalobos, Carl Cox, and The Martinez Brothers, KICA has mastered balancing intricate sound design with crowd-moving beats. “Villalobos taught me the importance of detail, patience, and building a journey within a track, while Carl Cox’s sets are an exercise in energy management, knowing when to ramp things up and when to bring it back,” he shared. KICA’s sound reflects this balance—delivering technically masterful productions and creating an experience on the dancefloor.
Since launching KICA Records, his ambition has only grown. The support from industry heavyweights like Roger Sanchez, Sam Divine, and Paco Osuna gave him the confidence to push forward with the label. “Their influence and guidance have given me the confidence to create a platform that not only showcases my music but also helps other emerging artists break through,” KICA explained.
With 2 AM marking the completion of his recent trilogy of bangers, KICA has plans to keep going. Fans can expect more releases, including his upcoming track Levanta featuring Brazilian vocals, slated for an October release on Hot Fuss. However, his focus remains on growing KICA Records, refining its sound, and solidifying its identity in the electronic music world. “My primary goal is to create a space where I can fully explore and express my sound without limitations,” he said.
Beyond the music, KICA’s entrepreneurial spirit is thriving in the UAE. He’s running two companies—Planet Sound, which handles sound systems, lighting, and DJ equipment, and another focused on scenography production under the KICA Group. His work spans everything from movie collaborations with Sony Entertainment to festivals like Dubai’s Lost Nomad. And let’s not forget his personal project, Exotika, where he’s blending house music with a unique decoration style to create lasting, immersive experiences.
Looking back on his journey, KICA is proud of the risks he’s taken in championing a niche genre like Minimal Deep Tech. “The challenge was making this less familiar genre stand out,” he shared. “I overcame this by creating exceptional music and showcasing the unique aspects of the genre.” His dedication to the craft has undoubtedly paid off, solidifying his place as a standout talent in the electronic music scene.
As KICA continues to evolve and innovate, fans of Minimal Tech and electronic music, in general, should keep their eyes and ears on what this Dubai-based maestro does next. With 2 AM offering just a glimpse of his boundless creativity, the future looks exciting for both KICA and his label.
KICA
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