Yousef

Globally acclaimed British DJ and House Music producer, Yousef, is celebrating 30 years in the music industry. And to celebrate he’s releasing his fifth artist album, ‘I Operate In Purple’, on Circus Recordings. As he presents one of his finest and most exciting bodies of work to date that journeys across the house music spectrum with plenty of surprises along the way, DMCWorld checks in with Yousef to find out more about his new amazing project. 

Hi Yousef, welcome to DMC World. How’s 2025 been for you musically so far?

Absolutely phenomenal, thank you! 2025 has been a whirlwind of creativity, I’ve felt more inspired than ever, pushing myself into new sonic spaces while reconnecting with the roots that first drew me to music. This year, I’ve really leaned into collaboration, letting unexpected ideas shape my sound. Each project and each studio session, has pushed me to explore both introspection and joy, and I’m grateful for how the music community keeps raising the bar and welcoming innovation. I’m feeling more creative and motivated than I ever have.

Who did you listen to growing up and do they inspire your music today?

I’ve always gravitated towards counterculture – I was never really drawn to mainstream pop, and only rarely to rock, unless it had that deep bluesy core like Pink Floyd. From the earliest days of hip hop, the Electro series, and the rise of acid house, I’ve been captivated by music that flows from Black roots, the underground, or anything that feels honest and truly reflective of the artist. My classic vinyl collection is a testament to that; whenever friends, family, or my kids visit, I love having them pick an album to spin. You’ll find everything from The Beatles to Lauryn Hill, Prince to Simon & Garfunkel to Santana, Barry White’s Love Unlimited Orchestra to Genesis, Stevie Wonder, ‘80s and ‘90s hip hop, and even The KLF. If a record is authentic and carries the artist’s truth, there’s a good chance I’m a fan.

What is the best piece of new music you have heard from other artists recently?

I’m loving Lady Wray, Ezra Collective, Jungle, and I know he’s not released recently for personal reasons but I love love love Kwabs. I wish him the best.

You’ve just released your brilliant new album, ‘I Operate In Purple’, please tell us about the concept for the album and how it all came together? 

To be completely honest, this album was crafted during a period of personal difficulty for me. Unlike my previous record, ‘9 Moor Drive’, which was a cathartic journey through the hardships of my childhood, ‘I Operate in Purple’ is all about resilience – refusing to let life’s challenges get the better of me. Every time I faced adversity, instead of succumbing, I’d head out for a run or some exercise, lend a hand to someone in need, and channel any negativity into making uplifting, joyful music. My goal was to transform darkness into light, infusing every track with hope. At the same time, I set out to honour house music and its immense influence on my life as both a raver and an artist over the past 30 years. The album pays tribute to legends like Frankie Knuckles, Basement Jaxx, BT, and David Morales, all while keeping the sound fresh and forward-thinking. Building ‘I Operate in Purple’ was a true adventure – one that celebrates both the roots and the ever-evolving future of the music I love.

What was the inspiration behind the album name?

Purple has always felt like my colour, ever since childhood – I was drawn to purple clothes, shoes, and objects, almost as if the shade found me as much as I found it. Some even said I was an “indigo child,” a nod to one of my tracks. For me, purple carries an energy of positivity and strength; it’s a colour that has helped me stand tall, stay motivated, and feel a sense of dignity, especially in the face of life’s challenges.

You’ve got some fantastic vocal artists involved on the album, please tell us a bit more about who was involved in the project and what they brought to the table? 

Absolutely – and I made a conscious choice to collaborate with less well-known names on this album. My aim was for creativity and fresh ideas to lead the project, rather than letting industry managers and commercial plans shape the music before it even existed. I was fortunate to have the support of the legendary Mark ‘Blakkat’ Bell (Shaboom LA), one of my closest friends, who is deeply connected to the vibrant LA scene. Through him, I worked with incredible talent like Alexx, who both wrote and sang on ‘I Feel Good,’ and BabyGirl, whose spoken and sung vocals feature on ‘Intuition.’

I also collaborated with London’s Yasmin Jane, whose vocals bring a sassy, confident energy while remaining warm and approachable. And, of course, the brilliant Brighton trio Kuuda contributed their songwriting and vocals to ‘Higher Place’ and ‘Loving is Living.’ Their creativity and artistry truly elevated the project – each featured artist brought a unique perspective and soul to the album, helping it become much more than the sum of its parts.

What’s your favourite track from the album and why?

It’s difficult to choose just one favourite – it’s been such an incredible journey crafting this album. Working with the master musician Tim Hutton has been a genuine highlight. Tim contributed his artistry to several tracks, including ‘I Love You Felix’ and ‘Loving is Living,’ infusing them with his stunning piano work and more. He also played piano and live horns on the title track, ‘I Operate in Purple.’ Instead of me stumbling through keyboard parts, I invited Tim to help bring my creative visions to life. Once he sent over the perfect musical elements and MIDI files, I was able to build out the tracks with clarity before sending them off to be mixed.

How long did the album take to make and did you come up against any obstacles you had to overcome in the process?

It took about 2 ½ to 3 years of chipping away without a plan or an aim. I think forcing things in a time frame wouldn’t of been for me. The main challenge was achieving the level of mix down i wanted from a small home studio. Fortunately for me I met Alex from IDQ Serbia who mixed down most of my tracks, which further elevated the project to a pro, pro level.

How does ‘I Operate In Purple’ album compare to your previous albums?

In my view, this album represents a significant step forward. While ‘9 Moor Drive’ had its strengths and memorable moments, Tim Hutton was involved with that project as well – this new release features stronger songwriting, refined mixes, and a clearer musical direction. It’s crafted as a tribute to classic house, yet it’s also intended to inspire emerging producers to venture beyond sampling and approach studio work with greater ambition. Unexpectedly, this is the first album project where I haven’t written any of the lyrics, which is quite unusual from my normal process.

Out of all the albums and songs you’ve released, what are your personal highlights and why?

I’d have to say that ‘I See,’ from my third album ‘A Product of Your Environment,’ stands out as a major highlight. It’s not your typical club track, I wrote the lyrics myself and built the song around a sample that a stranger handed me during a flight, which makes the tune feel especially personal, warm and beautiful. I See was crafted in a 7D studio in Liverpool, using immersive surround sound long before Dolby Atmos arrived into clubs. That innovation led me to become a spokesperson for Dolby Atmos, and I was the first DJ in the UK to perform using it, debuting and DJing ‘9 Moor Drive’ in Dolby Atmos both in London and San Francisco. Another favourite is ‘I Don’t Understand,’ which resonates with me because of its raw energy and darker themes, especially paired with the darkcore video I commissioned. “Come Home,” released on Cocoon, also holds a special place for me since it marked my break from limiting myself to a narrow musical style. And of course, I have to mention ‘Float Away’ – it’s an absolute gem!

For those unfamiliar with your musical history, please name 4 essential Yousef tracks:

Yousef Feat Charlie Taft – I See

Yousef – I Dont Understand 

Yousef Feat The Angel – Float Away

Yousef – Come Home

What’s the secret to your success and staying relevant in today’s market? 

Persistence, consistency and a willingness to embrace new ideas are key. My philosophy has always been to impress my toughest critic – myself, which helps keep my work vibrant and forward-thinking. I’m deeply rooted in house music, yet I continually push myself to explore artistically. Watching other artists is also invaluable; running Circus events gives me countless opportunities to do so. Inspiration comes from every direction, and staying open mean I never lose my creative spark.

What has been your favourite gig so far this year and where are you most looking forward to playing soon? 

One of the highlights for me this year was playing at 528 Ibiza – it truly captured the spirit of the island: spontaneous, raw, and just a little bit wild, reminding me of what Ibiza used to be. Looking ahead, I’m especially excited for Circus Birthday in Liverpool on September 27th, where I’ll be DJing my project ‘I Operate in Purple.’ Kuuda will be singing live, and we’ve got stunning visuals for each track, crafted by the incredibly talented Vulture from Indonesia. There are 14 in total, and they’re honestly spectacular, seeing them displayed on the big screens will be something special.

What do you think about the House music scene at the moment and what needs to change for the better?

In my view, the house music scene is incredibly vibrant right now. Underground house has become the leading sound in the UK – and arguably across the globe. Artists like Chris Stussy, Josh Baker, East End Dubs, and Max Dean are really pushing the envelope, often weaving in classic tracks from the ’90s for good measure. The genre is thriving; in fact, seeing these new headline acts dig deep into house’s rich history means that established names are being celebrated and receiving positive recognition from younger crowds. One thing I’d like to see change is the assumption that today’s ravers aren’t having the same life-changing experiences as those in the ’90s. They absolutely are. Sure, nearly every moment is captured on camera now (and honestly, I’m grateful the ’90s weren’t documented like this!), but apart from encouraging people to put their phones down more, I believe the scene is musically as healthy as ever.

Looking back at your early days of making dance music, what piece of precious advice would you give to yourself knowing what you know now?

Honestly, I might have spent more time mastering the studio early on and perhaps been a little less social, but then again, many of the friends I made out partying are now industry names themselves. We shared something like a musical high school experience, messing around at Miami Music Week, raving in Ibiza, and hanging out at Cream or Ministry of Sound. Looking back, I wouldn’t change much; my journey in dance music has been incredibly fun, and I’ve earned both respect and genuine friendships along the way. If I could offer advice to my younger self, it would probably be to take the business side a bit more seriously. But in truth, I’ve had the time of my life.

And what pearls of wisdom have you each got to offer to those just starting out in the music industry?

My advice is to become truly self-sufficient – build your path from the ground up and master every aspect of dance music, whether it’s DJing, producing, running a label, or organizing events. Don’t wait for someone else to give you a boost; focus on honing your craft until your talent draws attention naturally.

We come to raid your record collection, which embarrassing record do you chuck out the window before we arrive?

Not sure I’m embarrassed by Russ Abbot’s Greatest Hits TBH..! If you come to mine ‘Atmospheres’ is going on immediately!

What record makes you say ‘damn, I wish I made that’? 

Rolando – ‘Knights of The Jaguar’. I’ve asked about and learned how he made it, and it’s still magical –  the emotion, the pace, its hopefulness, its outstanding.

What’s next for Yousef and what have you got coming up on Circus Recordings that you can tell us about?

Coming up is ‘Circus Movements Part 8’, a compilation I personally curate several times a year with the goal of shining a light on fresh, emerging talent. For me, it’s both a journey of discovery and a meaningful platform for up-and-coming producers worldwide. This edition has 20 tracks, each representing a promising artist. With 20 producers all promoting the same release, the project becomes a real springboard, giving every artist a genuine shot at reaching new listeners and potentially catching the attention of other respected labels.

Yousef  ‘I Operate In Purple’ Album will be released on all platforms on September 26th 2025 on Circus Recordings. 

https://circus.ampsuite.com/releases/links?id=545