Stephani B: Live Drumming Meets DJing in 2025 [interview]

A fusion of live drumming, bold DJ sets, and fearless creativity — how Stephani B is rewriting the rules of electronic music in 2025

From the underground clubs to the world’s biggest festival stages, Stephani B has become one of the most exciting names redefining what it means to be a DJ in 2025. Fusing high-energy live drumming with bold, groove-driven DJ sets, she’s carved a unique path that’s inspiring a new wave of female artists. This year alone, she’s delivered standout releases like “Sober (La Da Dee),” “Technicolour” and the powerful collaboration “To Be Mine” with Coldabank and Peonie, all while pushing creative boundaries on stage and in the studio.

We caught up with Stephani B to talk about her journey, the challenges of being a multi-dimensional female artist, and how she’s balancing viral social media moments with staying true to her sound.

You’ve carved out a bold and unconventional space by blending DJing with live drumming — something we rarely see, especially from women in the scene. Was there ever a moment when you felt pressured to “tone it down” or fit a more traditional mold?

Thank you! There have definitely been moments along the way where I have felt the pressure – whether it came from industry expectations, subtle comments, or just the general lack of representation. Early on, I was told that maybe I should pick more of a lane and I’ve questioned if live drumming/sampling might be too much for a DJ set. As a woman in this space, there’s this unspoken pressure to be polished in a certain way, or not to be “too extra,” I guess. I’ve always believed that music, especially live performance, is about pushing boundaries and creating energy people can feel. Drumming and DJ’ing is a way for me to fully express myself and bring something different to the scene. Honestly, every time someone comes up to me after my set and says, “I’ve never seen anything like this,” it reminds me why I do it and remain authentically myself.

You’re part of a small but powerful wave of female artists redefining what it means to be a DJ today — not just behind decks, but as producers, instrumentalists, and performers. What do you think is still missing in how the industry supports women with this kind of range?

There’s definitely been progress with women in the music industry, but there is still a long way to go. I think one of the biggest gaps is infrastructure and support systems for women who are multi-dimensional artists. A lot of the industry is still built around traditional roles — DJs over here, producers over there, instrumentalists somewhere else. With women doing it all, the system isn’t always set up to nurture that kind of versatility. We need more spaces that encourage experimentation and more visibility for women who are innovating in unconventional ways.

One of the things that stands out about you is the physicality of your performance. How do you prepare mentally and physically to bring that much intensity to a live set?

The physicality is such a huge part of what I do. I actually started going to the gym at the start of this year regularly, and that has made a huge difference to how I show up at performances both mentally and physically. I also spend a lot of time practicing certain live edits to create muscle memory, as things can go wrong with just a slight hit of a stick. Mentally, I’ve become more intentional with how I design my live sets, thinking a lot about energy flow — distributing the more intense drum pad moments across the journey of a set. It’s not just about hard-hitting the whole time; it’s about making moments throughout, knowing when to incorporate it and when not to.

Your sound blends bold percussion, underground grooves, and sharp toplines. From “Sober (La Da Dee)” to “Technicolour” and “To Be Mine,” each track shows a different layer of your artistry. What connects them all, and what do these releases say about your evolution as an artist in 2025?

Drums have always been at the heart of my sound, but I fall in love with the groove and storytelling, whether that comes through a topline or the music. In terms of evolution, I think 2025 has been about refinement and trusting myself more. This year has also been huge for collaboration. I’ve been working with a lot of other artists that have pushed me creatively in the best way. I’m more comfortable experimenting and pushing genre lines more than ever.

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“To Be Mine” delivers raw, powerful energy. What was the creative process like working with Coldabank and Peonie?

Coldabank and Peonie were great to work with on this record. Coldabank brought such a strong sense of sonic direction and Peonie’s vocals cut through with such power. As soon as I heard the topline, I knew exactly the way I wanted it to go. We built the groove in a way that builds pressure and lets it breathe in the right moments. This track was about hitting hard but still carrying emotional weight. “To Be Mine” reflects raw energy and emotional depth.

2024 was a breakthrough year for you as a producer. How do you see yourself evolving in that role, and what new territory are you excited to explore?

For the past year, I have been steadily releasing music for the first time. I struggled to get my music heard by labels a few years ago, so it’s a dream to have tracks signed and released. I see myself continuing to evolve, crossing between club and commercial spaces. I’ve always loved underground grooves, but I also love a strong topline — a hook that sticks, something that hits emotionally and on the dance floor. I want to keep building a sound that’s recognisably mine but still flexible, pushing boundaries in upcoming releases through 2026.

You became an ambassador for Roland and use cutting-edge tech in your performances. How has that shaped your shows and sound?

Being an ambassador for Roland was a huge milestone. I’ve dreamed of working with them since I got my first SPD pad about 10 years ago. Using gear like the SPD-SX PRO has elevated my shows, giving me freedom to build hybrid setups that let me move between DJing, live drumming, and triggering samples. A recent viral video of me using different samples during a set showed me there’s real hunger for this kind of performance in the DJ world. Roland’s been with me since the start, and their gear has helped shape my identity as an artist.

You’ve become known for mashups and remixes that reimagine iconic tracks. What drives your choice of classics to re-interpret?

When I choose a classic, it’s because there’s something in the original that still moves people today. Sometimes it’s a lyric, sometimes it’s pure energy. I love the line between recognition and reinvention — making people go, “Wait, I remember this,” then pulling them into something new. It’s about bridging past and present with fresh energy.

Social media has been a massive part of your rise. Do you feel the algorithm ever pushes you to be someone you’re not?

Social media has played a huge role in my career. It’s one thing you can fully control yourself, and I’m grateful for that. But the algorithm rewards quick hits, not necessarily deep connections. Trends might blow up, but they don’t always bring in listeners invested in my music. The challenge is balancing trend content with authentic content that builds a real fanbase.

You’ve played stages like Tomorrowland and toured with the Ibiza Orchestra. What’s a moment that reminded you why you do this?

Tomorrowland was a bucket-list moment. When I first found out I was playing, I almost felt it had come too early and started overthinking. But stepping onto that stage gave me a surge of confidence. I’ve been gigging for over 15 years, and playing one of the world’s biggest stages reminded me exactly why I do this.

Representation matters. What’s your message to young girls dreaming of joining the music world?

Don’t wait for permission. You don’t need to fit in or tone yourself down. Practice, push your music even when no one’s watching, and if you have something that makes you different, lean into it. It will help you stand out.

Many rising DJanes look up to your sound and energy. What advice do you have for them?

Don’t shrink yourself to fit in. Network and collaborate with artists like yourself. Don’t be afraid to send your music to the biggest DJs — you might get ignored a lot, but one “yes” can open doors.

If 2025 is your year to fully claim your artistic voice, what’s the message you want to leave your audience with?

I’m all about energy that moves people, whether in a live set or a track. I love bringing back great memories with old school edits and creating feelings that stick.

The Message Behind the Music

Stephani’s journey is more than just beats and rhythms — it’s about showing that women can break molds, own their artistic identity, and create performances that audiences will never forget. Her advice to aspiring female DJs is simple: don’t shrink yourself to fit in, and don’t wait for permission.

With an unstoppable work ethic, a dedication to authenticity, and a flair for turning classics into high-energy reimaginations, 2025 is shaping up to be the year Stephani B fully claims her place among the most dynamic and innovative artists in electronic music.

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