Boiler Room DJ Set
One of the most-watched Boiler Room performances ever. Nina delivers a mesmerizing acid-laced set that showcases her eclectic taste and magnetic stage presence in the intimate Boiler Room format.
Nina Kraviz
Nina Kraviz · Born February 14, 1989 · Irkutsk, Siberia, Russia
88
Heat Index
#12
Global Rank
15+
Years Active
2014
trip Records Founded
📖 Biography
From Siberia's frozen heartland to the epicentre of global techno
Nina Kraviz was born on February 14, 1989, in Irkutsk, a city in the vast expanse of Siberia, Russia, not far from Lake Baikal — the deepest freshwater lake on Earth. Growing up in one of the most remote regions of the world, far removed from the clubbing capitals of Berlin, London, or Detroit, Kraviz's journey to becoming one of the most talked-about DJs on the planet is a story of relentless self-determination and an uncompromising artistic vision.
Before she ever stood behind a DJ booth, Kraviz pursued an entirely different career path: dentistry. She studied dentistry in Russia, a fact that has become one of the most well-known pieces of trivia about her. But her passion for music — which had burned since childhood, fuelled by exposure to a wide range of sounds from Soviet-era pop to Western electronic music filtering into Siberia through bootleg tapes and early internet connections — ultimately proved irresistible. She made the leap into music full-time, a decision that would reshape her life entirely.
Kraviz relocated to Moscow and then to Europe, where she immersed herself in the techno and house music scenes. She quickly caught the attention of established artists and labels. Her debut self-titled album, "Nina Kraviz" (2012), was released on Rekids, the label run by Radio Slave (Matt Edwards). The album was a revelation — a deeply personal collection that showcased not just her skills as a DJ and producer but also her abilities as a vocalist. Tracks like "Ghetto Kraviz" became instant classics, blending raw acid house energy with Kraviz's distinctive, emotionally charged singing voice. The track remains one of the most recognizable vocal techno cuts of the 2010s.
Other standout tracks from her catalogue include "Skyscrapers," a haunting, minimal piece driven by her ethereal vocals; "Pain in the Ass," a dark, hypnotic groove; and "Taxi Talk," which showcases her playful, narrative-driven approach to songwriting. Her music defies easy categorization — it can be acid, techno, house, trip hop, or something entirely unclassifiable, often within a single track.
In 2014, Kraviz founded her own record label, trip Records (stylized in Cyrillic as «τριπ»). The label became a platform for her singular musical vision, releasing acid-tinged techno, experimental electronics, and avant-garde productions from a carefully curated roster of artists. trip quickly established itself as one of the most distinctive and respected labels in the techno underground, known for its willingness to push boundaries far beyond the conventional four-on-the-floor formula.
Kraviz's DJ sets are legendary for their eclecticism and unpredictability. Unlike many techno DJs who stay within narrow BPM and stylistic ranges, Kraviz is known for fearlessly mixing acid techno with electro, pop, trip hop, and obscure experimental records. Her sets are deeply personal journeys that reflect her vast musical knowledge and her refusal to be boxed in by genre expectations. This approach has made her one of the most polarizing figures in electronic music — adored by fans who value her adventurous spirit, and occasionally criticized by purists who prefer more straightforward techno programming.
Throughout her career, Kraviz has been a regular fixture at the world's most prestigious clubs and festivals, including Berghain in Berlin, DC-10 in Ibiza, Awakenings in Amsterdam, Time Warp in Mannheim, and Sonar in Barcelona. She has headlined stages at virtually every major electronic music event on the planet, from Europe and North America to Asia and South America.
In 2021, Kraviz faced significant public backlash after social media posts that were interpreted as expressing COVID-19 vaccine skepticism. The controversy led to her being removed from several festival lineups, including Lollapalooza Berlin, and sparked heated debate within the electronic music community about the responsibilities of public figures. Despite this setback, Kraviz continued to perform and release music, and she remains one of the most in-demand and influential DJs in the world, a vocal supporter of underground techno culture and artistic freedom.
🎶 Best Sets
The most iconic live performances from Nina Kraviz
Awakenings Festival
A masterclass in peak-time techno at Amsterdam's premier festival. Nina takes the crowd on a relentless journey through acid, techno, and beyond, proving why she is one of the most captivating performers in the game.
Time Warp
Nina Kraviz at Mannheim's legendary Time Warp festival. An intense, genre-defying set that encapsulates her fearless approach to mixing acid techno, electro, and unexpected deep cuts.
Exit Festival — mts Dance Arena
Commanding the massive mts Dance Arena at Serbia's EXIT Festival, Nina delivers a euphoric and visceral set to thousands of devoted fans under the stars of the Petrovaradin Fortress.
📅 Career Timeline
Key milestones in Nina Kraviz's journey from Siberia to global techno stardom
2008–2010
Early Career & Moscow Scene
After studying dentistry in Russia, Nina Kraviz began DJing and immersing herself in Moscow's burgeoning electronic music scene. She started gaining recognition for her distinctive taste and fearless approach to mixing, playing at local clubs and building a reputation that would soon extend beyond Russia's borders. Her early sets already showcased the eclectic sensibility that would become her trademark.
2012
Debut Album on Rekids
Nina released her self-titled debut album on Rekids, the label run by Radio Slave (Matt Edwards). The album was a critical triumph, combining raw acid house energy with her own vocals and deeply personal songwriting. Tracks like "Ghetto Kraviz" and "Skyscrapers" became instant classics in the underground, establishing Kraviz as a unique voice in techno — not just a DJ, but a singer-songwriter with a producer's instinct.
2014
Founded trip Records
Kraviz launched her own label, trip Records (stylized in Cyrillic), dedicated to acid techno, experimental electronics, and boundary-pushing productions. The label became a vehicle for her singular vision, releasing music from artists like Bjarki, PTU, and Nikita Zabelin alongside her own productions. trip quickly carved out a reputation as one of the most adventurous labels in the techno underground.
2016–2017
Global Headliner Status
By the mid-2010s, Kraviz had ascended to the top tier of global techno DJs. She became a regular headliner at Berghain, DC-10 Ibiza, Awakenings, Time Warp, and Sonar, commanding some of the biggest stages in electronic music. Her reputation for unpredictable, genre-defying sets made her one of the most sought-after bookings in the industry, with promoters and fans alike drawn to her magnetic, unconventional performances.
2018–2019
trip Label Expansion & Festival Dominance
trip Records expanded its roster and influence, hosting label showcases at major festivals and clubs worldwide. Kraviz herself continued to headline the world's biggest events, cementing her position as one of the defining techno artists of the decade. Her sets at events like Awakenings and Time Warp drew tens of thousands, while her club performances at Berghain remained legendary for their intensity and unpredictability.
2021
COVID Vaccine Controversy
In 2021, Nina faced significant public backlash after social media posts were interpreted as promoting COVID-19 vaccine skepticism. The controversy led to her removal from several high-profile festival lineups, including Lollapalooza Berlin, and sparked intense debate within the electronic music community. The episode marked one of the most turbulent periods of her career, though she continued to perform at numerous other events and maintained a devoted global fanbase.
2022–2024
Continued Relevance & Underground Advocacy
Despite the controversies, Kraviz continued to tour relentlessly, headlining major festivals and clubs across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. She remained a vocal advocate for underground techno culture and artistic freedom, and trip Records continued to release boundary-pushing music. Her sets lost none of their fire, and she remained one of the most discussed and debated figures in electronic music — a testament to her enduring impact on the scene.
🌎 Lifestyle
Where Nina Kraviz lives, travels, and how she expresses herself beyond the decks
Home Base
Nina Kraviz splits her time between several cities, but has been based primarily in Europe for much of her career. She has lived in Moscow, Berlin, and other European hubs, while maintaining a deep connection to her Siberian roots. Irkutsk and the Lake Baikal region remain a spiritual home, and she has spoken frequently about how the vast, untamed landscapes of Siberia shaped her worldview and artistic sensibility.
Favourite Clubs & Venues
Nina is a regular at some of the world's most iconic techno institutions:
- ▶ Berghain, Berlin — The world's most famous techno temple
- ▶ DC-10, Ibiza — The island's gritty, no-frills techno stronghold
- ▶ Awakenings, Amsterdam — The Netherlands' flagship techno event
- ▶ Time Warp, Mannheim — Germany's legendary indoor techno festival
Travel Destinations
Kraviz's global touring schedule takes her to the most important electronic music destinations:
- ▶ Berlin, Germany — The spiritual capital of techno
- ▶ Ibiza, Spain — Summer residencies and DC-10 sessions
- ▶ Tokyo, Japan — A thriving underground techno scene
- ▶ Barcelona, Spain — Sonar Festival and the city's vibrant club culture
Aesthetic & Fashion
Nina Kraviz has a bold, fashion-forward aesthetic that sets her apart from many of her techno peers. She is known for wearing striking, sometimes unconventional outfits on stage — from sportswear and streetwear to high-fashion pieces. She has collaborated with and been featured by major fashion brands, and her Instagram presence reflects a carefully curated visual identity that blends rave culture, high fashion, and her own distinctive Siberian mystique.
Vocal Artistry
Unlike most techno DJs, Nina Kraviz is also a trained singer. Her vocals feature prominently on many of her own tracks, giving her productions a deeply personal, emotional quality that is rare in the techno world. Tracks like "Ghetto Kraviz" and "Skyscrapers" are defined as much by her voice as by their beats and synths. This dual identity as both a vocalist and a DJ/producer is a core part of what makes her artistry unique.
Musical Identity
Kraviz's sound is defined by its fearless eclecticism. Her sets can veer from pounding acid techno to obscure trip hop, from classic house to electro and even pop music — often within minutes. She is known for playing at unconventional tempos, dropping tracks that other DJs would never risk, and creating an atmosphere that is as unpredictable as it is hypnotic. This approach has won her a fiercely loyal following and an equally vocal contingent of critics, making her one of the most discussed DJs in the world.
🎥 Behind the Scenes
The studio, the label, and the world behind Nina Kraviz's music
Studio & Production
Nina's production process is deeply personal and hands-on. She works with a mix of hardware synthesizers, drum machines, and digital tools, drawing on her love of classic acid house sounds — particularly the Roland TB-303 and TR-808 — while incorporating modern production techniques. Her tracks often feature her own vocals, recorded in intimate studio sessions that capture the raw emotion that defines her sound. She has spoken about the importance of vulnerability in music, and her productions reflect that philosophy.
trip Records & A&R
Running trip Records is a major part of Nina's life beyond the DJ booth. She personally oversees A&R for the label, scouting and signing artists whose work aligns with her vision of boundary-pushing electronic music. The label's roster includes artists like Bjarki, PTU, Nikita Zabelin, and other forward-thinking producers. trip showcases at festivals and clubs are known for their curated lineups and uncompromising dedication to the experimental edges of techno and acid.
Life on the Road
Nina's touring life is relentless, spanning dozens of countries and hundreds of shows per year. Behind the scenes, she is known for her meticulous preparation — spending hours digging through records and digital libraries to curate the specific sonic journey for each performance. She has spoken about the physical and emotional toll of constant touring, but also about the irreplaceable thrill of connecting with a dancefloor in real time, feeding off the crowd's energy and steering the room through unexpected sonic territories.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you want to know about Nina Kraviz
Nina Kraviz was born on February 14, 1989, in Irkutsk, Siberia, Russia. Irkutsk is a city in eastern Siberia, located near Lake Baikal, the world's deepest freshwater lake. She grew up in this remote region before eventually moving to Moscow and then to Europe to pursue her music career. Her Siberian origins are a defining element of her artistic identity, and she frequently references the vast, untamed landscapes of her homeland in interviews and in the spirit of her music.
trip Records (stylized in Cyrillic) is Nina Kraviz's record label, founded in 2014. The label is dedicated to releasing acid techno, experimental electronic music, and avant-garde productions that push the boundaries of conventional dance music. trip has become one of the most distinctive and respected labels in the techno underground, with a roster that includes artists like Bjarki, PTU, and Nikita Zabelin. The label also hosts showcases at major festivals and clubs worldwide, reflecting Kraviz's broad musical vision and curatorial instincts.
Nina Kraviz is known for her highly eclectic and unpredictable DJ sets that blend acid techno, classic house, trip hop, electro, and even pop elements. She plays at unconventional tempos, drops unexpected tracks, and creates an atmosphere that is as wild and unpredictable as it is hypnotic. Her approach has made her one of the most polarizing figures in electronic music — adored by fans who value her fearless, boundary-breaking spirit, and sometimes criticized by purists who prefer more straightforward techno programming. Her sets feel like deeply personal journeys through her own vast musical universe.
Yes, Nina Kraviz studied dentistry in Russia before pursuing a career in music. She has spoken about this openly in numerous interviews, noting that her academic background gave her discipline and focus that she later applied to her music career. However, her passion for electronic music ultimately proved stronger than her commitment to dentistry, and she made the decision to pursue DJing and production full-time — a choice that led to her becoming one of the most influential techno artists in the world.
Nina Kraviz has faced several public controversies. Most notably, in 2021, she faced significant backlash for social media posts that were interpreted as promoting COVID-19 vaccine skepticism. This led to her being dropped from several festival lineups, including Lollapalooza Berlin, and sparked heated debate within the electronic music community about the responsibilities of public figures. She has also been at the centre of broader discussions about artistic authenticity, commercial success in the underground, and genre boundaries in techno. Despite these controversies, she remains one of the most booked and discussed DJs on the planet.