Kris Wadsworth is a German electronic music producer and DJ associated with tech house, techno, minimal techno and electro. He begins producing at 14, works as a professional DJ from 16, and has his first record release at 17. Although originally from Germany, he is identified with Detroit, where he learns from veteran figures in the city’s old-school scene and plays warehouses, clubs and bars from a young age.

Style and influences

Wadsworth’s music and DJ sets draw on the sounds of Detroit, Chicago, New York and European electronic music. He is an early and avid record digger, listening widely from the age of 12 and building knowledge across jazz, funk, R&B and classic hip hop. Those influences are reflected in his productions and in the way his sets move between older and newer dance music without concern for style fashion or novelty.

Releases and reception

By 2008 he has issued six EPs and remixes, and his work on Morris/Audio receives support from Akufen, Josh Wink, Laurent Garnier and Peace Division. He is described by critics in terms such as “instant classic”, “far ahead of its time”, “masterful”, “idiomatic”, “timeless” and “classic”, and one Resident Advisor critic labels him “surely soon to be hugely popular”.

DJ approach

As a DJ, Wadsworth favours direct, dancefloor-focused selections over technical showmanship. He plays music that makes the room move, whether it is old or new, and keeps his sets deep and unpredictable.