Welcome to the Pornceptual podcast! Today, we’re excited to have DJ Killing, a Berlin-born artist with Austrian and Afro-American roots. Known for his eclectic sets that blend Acid House, Techno, Ballroom, and East German Schranz, he has made a name for himself in Berlin’s vibrant youth scene. Join us as we explore his musical journey and the rhythms that keep his sound fresh and captivating! Catch him playing for us at our next Berlin event: PORN BY PRNCPTL | MÜNZE | BERLIN | 12TH OF OCTOBER

The series is presented by Rakans: Beirut-born and Berlin-based, Rakans, founder of the Queer collective Rawmantique. He is also a Pornceptual resident. Rakans not only curates the podcast series but also conducts interviews with participating artists.

RAKANS: Your DJ name, “KILLING,” has an intense energy—what’s the story behind that choice, and how does it reflect your personality both in and out of the booth?
DJ KILLING: I did not really choose the name – it chose me. Or better, I did, but chose to keep my real
surname as my last name is Killing. It’s not about personality, it’s just a name I happen to
have. If you know me, I’m more about loving than killing.

RAKANS: ⁠Berlin’s underground scene is legendary, but it can be brutal too. How do you maintain your mental and emotional balance in such a fast-paced, intense environment, especially as a queer artist?
DJ KILLING: Balance is essential, especially in a city like Berlin. For me, it’s like combining watermelon
and Parma ham—a mix that shouldn’t work, but somehow it does. I think of what filmmaker
Agnes Varda once said: happiness is the balance of joy and sadness. That resonates with
me deeply, especially in a scene that can be both uplifting and overwhelming. I find peace in
that duality.

RAKANS: You co-founded *Royal Highness*—a party with a very evocative name. What does “royalty” mean in the context of a queer party, and what kind of community are you hoping to build with this event?
DJ KILLING: The party is all about effortlessness, and labeling it as royal is just a sarcastic way of
appreciating that. Elevating our crowd to royalty leads to better self-validation and
overconfidence in our guests. To give you the full meaning of “royal,” I should also be talking
about the “highness” part. And also, one of the main reasons we founded this party was to
bring the dancefloor and the music back into the center of queer parties. Knowing that we
are doing something alternative, at least from our perspective, we wanted to already give the
validation from ourselves without expecting any validation from outside.

RAKANS: Do you remember the first time you played a track that really made the crowd go wild? What was it, and how did it feel? 
DJ KILLING: There is a remix of Pump Up London by Mr. Lee, which was deleted on YouTube by now. It
was a breakthrough moment for me after playing at art gallery openings for a year. The
energy was intense—ecstatic, rough, and hot all at once. I was surprised by myself and felt
that this was one of the many priceless feelings I would encounter when following this path. I
definitely think the crowd was on fire as well. I felt that I recreated the atmosphere that I
visualized in my head when listening to this track for the first time.

RAKANS: A lot of your fans probably picture you as this bold, larger-than-life figure. What’s one thing about DJ KILLING that people might be surprised to learn behind the scenes?
DJ KILLING: After seeing my Instagram, I don’t know if there is something left that I haven’t posted yet.
BTW, I’m looking for a man who will calm me down by making himself hysterically up. So
basically, I live in a paradox.

On my behalf & of the PRNCPTL family, we love you & can’t wait to dance together!

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