Whisnu Santika gives us an interview ahead of his release ‘Yalla Habibi’ to discuss his journey, creative process, and the rise of Indo Bounce.

Indonesian DJ and producer Whisnu Santika is keeping the momentum going with his highly anticipated new track ‘Yalla Habibi’, dropping October 4th. Known for pioneering his signature “Indo Bounce” sound, a fusion of baile funk, house, and traditional Indonesian influences, Whisnu Santika has carved out a unique space in the global dance scene. From his breakout hit ‘Chitty Chitty Bang!’ in 2019 to performances on world-renowned stages like Tomorrowland and ADE, he’s proven that versatility and cultural pride can go hand in hand. In this interview, he opens up about his journey, inspirations, and the vision driving his mission to bring Indonesian music to the world.

You’re known for being versatile across genres. How has experimenting with different styles shaped your signature sound? 

“I love exploring new sounds, from traditional Indonesian elements to globally recognized genres. As a producer, I aim to stay current while staying true to my own musical identity. So far, it’s been working surprisingly well! It feels both like an experiment and a way to introduce something fresh to my listeners.”

When you’re not performing, what kind of music do you usually play for yourself at home or while traveling? 

“I listen to almost everything, from international tracks like Diplo and Major Lazer (one of my favorites), all the way to Indonesian music and even dangdut.”

Do you have a favorite venue or city where you love to perform, either in Indonesia or abroad? 

‘’Every venue holds a special meaning for me. Clubs feel more intimate, and I’ll never forget that I started everything with club gigs. Festivals, on the other hand, bring a completely different vibe since I get to showcase new sets and visuals. The atmosphere and energy are unique in their own way. But no matter where I play, performing back home will always be special, especially in Indonesia, where I was born and raised. That is where it all started, so the connection will always feel deeper.’’.

Before fully pursuing music, you worked in Jakarta’s nightlife scene managing clubs. How did that experience help you transition into being a full-time DJ and producer? 

“Studying Marketing Communication at University gave me the foundation to understand people and how to connect with them, which later helped me manage clubs. Managing clubs taught me what the crowd enjoys musically, and I’ll never forget where I started. Clubs played a huge role in supporting me, especially right after the pandemic.”

Your debut single ‘Chitty Chitty Bang!’ quickly gained traction when it was released in 2019. What was it like to have such a strong breakout moment? 

“Actually, when I made ‘Chitty Chitty Bang’, it was just a trial project. I had just started spending serious time in the studio back then, so I was honestly surprised and a little overwhelmed by the response it got.” 

You’ve been credited as one of the pioneers of Indo Bounce. How would you describe the essence of this sound to someone who has never heard it before? 

“My music is influenced by baile funk, house, and breaks. Indo Bounce is the blend that was born from those inspirations.”

Your tracks like ‘Cartel,’ ‘Mi Casa,’ and ‘J-Town’ showcase different fusions of house, Latin-urban, and traditional Indonesian rhythms. How do you balance innovation with staying rooted in your cultural heritage? 

“Indo Bounce is a mix of house, breaks, and baile funk. There are still a lot of similarities between them, so it’s not too hard to stay true to the roots. I just love making happy tracks that get people dancing!”

You’ve performed at some of the world’s biggest stages like Tomorrowland, Amsterdam Dance Event, and V2 Tokyo. How do international audiences respond to Indo Bounce compared to local crowds in Indonesia? 

“The most exciting part is when people ask me before my set, “What do you play?” and I say “Indo Bounce”. They always ask back, “What’s Indo Bounce?” I was lucky that Tomorrowland is a festival that really embraces different sounds. It felt like a breath of fresh air for someone like me, who was still pretty unknown, to get the chance to play there. In other countries, I was blown away to see long lines outside the clubs for my very first shows. The promoters played a huge role in that by really pushing my music before I even hit the stage.”

With your busy tour schedule across Indonesian cities, what do you enjoy most about connecting with fans in your home country? 

“Indonesia is huge, and you’d be surprised how different the music scene feels from city to city. In the big cities, people catch on to trends really fast. But playing in smaller cities is just as exciting. I get to try out new stuff without knowing exactly how the crowd will react. That’s why I love switching up my set for every city, it always keeps things fresh and interesting.”

You’ve worked with artists like Dipha Barus, Souljah, Cinta Laura, and Liquid Silva. What do you look for in a collaborator? 

“Most of my collaborations start from late-night chats or random backstage meetups. We then take those ideas to the studio. Usually, we bring our own stories into the tracks, which is how every song ends up representing both me and my collaborators.”

Your music blends cultural, spiritual, and emotional themes. Can you share how your personal interests, like history, spirituality, or brain teasers, influence your creative process? 

“I guess you could say I’m quite a spiritual person, in my own unexplained way! I like to take time for myself on my days off to reset and recharge, and then I bring that energy back into the studio. I also make it a routine to have weekly check-ins with my team, hear their thoughts, and see the progress we’re making together.”

Many young DJs and producers see you as an inspiration. What advice would you give to aspiring artists trying to break into the industry? 

“I feel like my journey is just getting started, but if there’s one thing I can share, it’s this: never give up on what you love. This industry can be tough, I’ve had my share of ups and downs, but having a supportive team makes all the difference. Surround yourself with people who share your vision and want to build something together. And don’t forget about your health. Finding balance is just as important as the hustle.”

Looking ahead, what’s your vision for Indo Bounce and your role in bringing Indonesian music to a global audience? 

“I’ve always wanted to put Indonesia on the world map. Through my music, I hope to introduce Indonesia Bounce to a global audience. I know so many talented Indonesian musicians and producers, but not many have taken their sound beyond Indonesia yet. For me, bringing Indonesia Bounce to the world is just the first step and I hope we can be recognized globally together as a community.”

Your newest release “IYAIYA” blends Indo Bounce with dangdut, Brazilian baile funk, and Baltimore club influences. What was the creative process like in bringing together so many different styles into one cohesive track? 

“I’ve always loved exploring different genres in my music. With ‘IYAIYA’, it was even more exciting since Dipha and Ramengvrl each have completely unique and different music styles from my own. With the influence of dangdut, which is huge in Indonesia, we were able to create something that really represents us as Indonesians too.”

The song highlights the realities of Gen Z and working-class youth navigating hustle and survival while still having fun. Why was it important for you to capture that specific narrative, and how do you hope listeners connect with it?  

“Gen Z is my biggest crowd and ‘IYAIYA’ is our way of showing what real street life feels like. We’ve all been in Jakarta for a while, and honestly, living in the capital is all about hustle and survival mode. But hey, we also want to remind everyone to have a little fun while grinding!”