NOKERFÜ: HOT TAKE, HOUSE ENERGY, & THE SPIRIT OF THE UNDERGROUND

NOLA EDM: For those meeting you for the first time — who is NOKERFÜ?
NOKERFÜ: NOKERFÜ is the culmination of years in the NOLA EDM scene. Coming from a mostly dubstep background, I wanted to experiment more — to break into the thriving underground dance scene here. My style is a mix of multiple sub-genres of house — rally house, UKG, bass house. This project is also a social experiment to see how both fans and the industry react to a new, unknown face in the New Orleans scene.

NOLA EDM: You’ve got a new single out — congrats! What inspired HOT TAKE?
NOKERFÜ: HOT TAKE was my first time truly experimenting with the sound. I wanted to see what I could do with minimal production and sound design while still making a high-energy dance track. I really love how it came out — and I’ve got plenty more on the way.

NOLA EDM: How does this new release connect to your live sets?
NOKERFÜ: It’s my way of showing the world who I am and what’s coming next. Since HOT TAKE, my tracks have become tighter and more groove-focused. I love a good party, and I want fans to feel that energy. I’ll be testing seven new unreleased tracks at Santos — I’m excited to hear them live.

NOLA EDM: Tell us about the Santos show. What kind of energy should people expect?
NOKERFÜ: My set this Wednesday focuses on what I brought to MIX 001: dancing, sweating, variety, experimentation. It’s all about high energy and groove. I’m including some music from my buddy Mardi Mayhem, and there may just be a dumb little intro I’ve been working on. Gotta keep it interesting.

NOLA EDM: How has the NOLA scene influenced your growth?
NOKERFÜ: The artists here are some of the most creative people I’ve ever met — no one does it like us. My branding and sound are inspired by the underground: illegal raves, skate-park punk shows, DJs in abandoned houses at 3 a.m. That raw NOLA energy is what drives me.

NOLA EDM: When you’re not producing, what sparks your creativity?
NOKERFÜ: If I’m not creating, I’m studying. I love finding tiny artists with 100 monthly listeners who are absolutely killing it. I’m obsessed with the raw vibe of the ’90s and 2000s — old Cartoon Network commercials, VHS distortion, lo-fi textures. That aesthetic has shaped my entire brand.