In conversation with ZenGxrl: Curatorial vision of her multi-genre sound space

For Angolan – Lisbon-based DJ ZenGxrl, the essence of music lies in its connection to people. “I just play what feels good.” She introduces her take on preparing for her debut at Innervisions’ 20 years anniversary party in Lisbon on the 17th of May.

“Being authentic with your craft makes you naturally find the right people. It’s not just about stepping into their world, but also bringing my world into theirs.” – Zen continues to explain how the collaboration with the legendary Berlin-based label, founded by Dixon and Ame, came together. With her latest ventures across Europe, she is creating her own multi-genre sound space to foster her African roots, educate about its heritage and connect with the zeitgeist.

ZenGxrl, could you introduce yourself in a few sentences? Are you, as Elis, the same as ZenGxrl on the stage, or would you see your alter ego behind the decks?

I’m both Elisa and ZenGxrl. I feel like some people tend to separate both, but they couldn’t happen without each other – I don’t believe or see it as separate, but rather the same me with different fonts. I feel like I’m quite reserved, introverted and a perfectionist in real life, I don’t even like to take control of the aux tbh. Behind the decks I tap into another side of myself, where it just feels right, as the Portuguese say ‘na minha praia’, On my beach, which is basically where I feel comfortable, I think I’m freer, bolder and it’s the place where I can finally say things the way my brain wants to say them.

I’m drawn to all kinds of music, like all genres, but I’m still picky with it. If I don’t like something, I can’t force it. I think being both Angolan and Portuguese made me open to listening to everything with no judgment, especially since Lisbon is a melting pot and you can learn from many different cultures here. So when I play, I’m blending what I love: sound, energy, culture. I want to create a space where people feel safe, connected, and at home, but also a bit surprised because they hear something they didn’t expect, but it makes sense. I just play what feels good. That’s the only rule.

How does your cultural heritage influence your current path? How do you integrate it?

My cultural heritage is at the heart of what I do creatively. Growing up influenced by the sounds of Angola, Congo, and Portugal shaped my musical sensibilities. I focus on electronic music, which includes Batida, Brazilian Funk, Gqom, and Jersey club.

For example, Batida, which evolved from Kuduro and grew in Lisbon’s outskirts, really inspires me. I try to include it wherever I play, not just for its energy but because I believe it’s important to show cultural heritage. Music is universal, but context matters. Without it, genres can lose their roots and the history behind them.

I integrate these genres organically since this is how my intuition was shaped while growing up. I try to look for cultural elements, whether it’s a specific drum pattern, instrument, a mood, or a vocal, in how I hear and feel music. It functions almost as a filter that leads to the way I create a journey of sharing my experiences, connecting it with the community experiences and finding that balance… It’s amusing and interesting.

We live in a very multidisciplinary thinking heyday, constantly looking for novelties, stimulation, and connection points. Would you perceive your art of work as multidisciplinary, mixed genres, mixed media? Why do you create in this way?

Yes. I don’t even think about myself as “multidisciplinary”. It is how I do it. I try to pursue everything by myself, whether I need to learn a new skill or just improve the ones I have. At the end of the day, everything I do comes from the same creative instinct.

From having other interests and also tapping into other areas, I understood that life is fast these days. The internet is fast. Music drops and disappears in a day. So when I DJ, I like creating these moments that slow things down, even if it’s just switching from a fast-paced club banger to something slow and emotional where people take their time to actually listen. Like… take this time to breathe.

I think people, including myself, are expecting to find connections between different art forms. It’s about making people feel something real, from different angles.

Do other industries play a role in what you do, such as fashion, cinematography, literature, etc? Are there any creatives you are looking up to?

Definitely. Other industries have a huge influence on how I create. Fashion and beauty are the most obvious ones, they’re a major part of how I express myself. I always say I play as I dress. Both music and fashion are forms of self-expression.

Cinematography surely plays a role too, more emotionally than literally. Like, sometimes I’ll hear a song and it instantly puts me in a scene, like a movie that doesn’t exist yet. That’s how I build radio mixes sometimes, it’s storytelling.

Inspiration comes from all sides, even from scenery wherever you are or hearing the birds chipping, it’s very clichê but true. Of course, I do the work to research more things, as I can really find inspiration from anywhere.

You are about to play at Innervisions’ 20 years anniversary. How do you connect with a label, and how did it come together?

Honestly, I didn’t think this was going to happen as Dj. The opportunity feels special. Innervisions has been such an important force in shaping electronic music, so being invited to celebrate 20 years with them is a big milestone. I like how IV approaches sound and curation, there’s depth and storytelling. Being authentic with your craft makes you naturally find the right people. It’s not just about stepping into their world, but also bringing my world into theirs.

Could you share your latest most-played tracks and what they signify to you?

Lately I’ve been playing lots of CDs at home, as these months I wanted more to listen to full bodies of work rather than individual music, so some albums I’ve been enjoying are Martinho da Vila’s “Brasilatinidade”, Khané’s “Saturday Night”, and Kelvin Momo’s “Ntsako”.

Any life hacks before getting on the stage?

Besides getting my music right from the computer to the USB. I think some I do without noticing, like tuning into the energy of the room before. I always carry around my lucky charm on the USB, and also like to have a sip of my drink.