From her beginnings in Siberia to international festival stages, Nina Kraviz has developed a career shaped by unconventional musical selections, influential underground releases and an independent approach to electronic music. With more than 15 years of recordings, the establishment of her трип label and new projects in 2026, the Russian DJ and producer continues to explore the boundaries between techno, acid, house and experimental dance music.
From Siberia to Moscow: The Early Years of Nina Kraviz
Born in Irkutsk, Siberia, Nina Kraviz developed an interest in electronic music during the 1990s, when access to international dance records in Russia was considerably more limited than in established European clubbing centres.
Radio programmes provided an early introduction to house music, while her growing interest in underground electronic sounds eventually led her towards DJing and production.
Before becoming a full-time musician, Kraviz moved to Moscow to study dentistry. Her early professional life also included music journalism, an experience that helped develop her knowledge of electronic music and the culture surrounding it.
Her transition into production began taking shape during the 2000s.
As a member of the group MySpaceRocket, she contributed to the 2007 release “Amok,” a record that combined deep house rhythms with her distinctive vocal style.
By the end of the decade, Kraviz was increasingly active in Moscow’s electronic music scene, developing her abilities as a DJ while beginning to establish international connections.
The Breakthrough: “Ghetto Kraviz” and Her Debut Album
The first major turning point in Kraviz’s recording career arrived in 2009, when she began releasing music through respected underground labels including Naïf, Underground Quality and Rekids.
These early productions introduced a style built around stripped-back rhythms, hypnotic repetition and intimate vocal elements.
Her profile expanded significantly with “Ghetto Kraviz,” released in 2011.
Built around a minimal rhythmic structure and her understated vocal performance, the track became one of her most recognisable recordings and helped introduce her music to a broader international audience.
In 2012, she released her self-titled debut album, Nina Kraviz, through Rekids.
The record brought together house, techno and experimental electronic influences, with tracks including “Ghetto Kraviz,” “Taxi Talk” and “Fire.”
Rather than following a conventional festival-oriented approach, the album emphasised atmosphere, repetition and a distinctive production identity.
Its release established Kraviz as a recording artist whose musical personality extended beyond her growing reputation behind the decks.
The Creation of трип: Building an Independent Label
In 2014, Nina Kraviz founded трип, pronounced trip, a record label that would become an important part of her career.
The imprint provided a platform for her own productions while introducing a broader range of artists working across techno, acid, electro and experimental electronic music.
Among the producers associated with its catalogue are Bjarki, Vladimir Dubyshkin, Aleksi Perälä, PTU and Deniro.
One of its notable early releases was Bjarki’s “I Wanna Go Bang,” which became a widely played underground track in 2015 and brought considerable attention to the label.
Beyond its catalogue, трип developed a recognisable visual identity and an approach to events that frequently moved beyond conventional nightclub settings.
The label’s parties have taken place in unusual environments, reflecting Kraviz’s interest in connecting music with architecture, location and the wider atmosphere of an event.
Her work with трип also demonstrated an important aspect of her career: an interest in discovering and supporting producers whose music does not necessarily follow dominant industry trends.
She subsequently expanded her label activity through GALAXIID, an imprint associated with more experimental electronic sounds.
From Underground Clubs to International Festivals
As her recording career developed, Kraviz became an increasingly familiar presence at major electronic music events.
Her performances have taken her to festivals including Time Warp, Awakenings, Sónar, EXIT and Kappa FuturFestival, alongside club appearances around the world.
Unlike DJs whose performances remain closely associated with one particular tempo or style, Kraviz has frequently explored different approaches to electronic music.
Her selections can move between techno, acid, electro, house, trance and more experimental recordings.
This stylistic flexibility became a defining characteristic of her DJ identity, particularly during a period when electronic music’s international festival circuit was becoming increasingly segmented by genre.
Her contribution to the DJ-Kicks compilation series in 2015 offered an opportunity to explore her musical influences beyond conventional club expectations.
The following year, she released fabric 91, another notable contribution to the history of recorded DJ mixes.
In December 2017, Mixmag named Nina Kraviz its DJ of the Year, recognising a period during which her international performances, production work and label activities had considerably expanded her profile.
The recognition marked a significant milestone in a career that had developed from the underground house scene into a much wider electronic music audience.
Artistic Independence and Public Scrutiny
Kraviz’s international prominence has also brought periods of public controversy.
In 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, her response to the war became the subject of criticism within parts of the electronic music industry.
Clone Distribution ended its relationship with Kraviz and трип, while several festival appearances were cancelled or withdrawn.
Kraviz subsequently issued a public statement expressing opposition to violence and calling for peace.
The episode highlighted the increasingly visible intersection between international electronic music, political expectations and the responsibilities associated with public artistic figures.
Despite the controversy, Kraviz continued recording and performing, maintaining an international presence in the years that followed.
Nina Kraviz in 2026: New Music and the Launch of treats
More than a decade after founding трип, Kraviz continues developing her activities as both an artist and label operator.
In early 2026, she introduced treats, a new imprint designed to explore dancefloor music beyond established genre boundaries.
Its debut release, treats 001, arrived on February 27 and featured two collaborations connected to Brazilian electronic music.
The opening track, “pitbull de glocada,” brings together João Lágrima de Ouro and MC Pogba.
The second recording, “sem amor,” features Kraviz alongside Brazilian artist MC Nick.
The project introduces influences from baile funk and regional Brazilian electronic music into her expanding catalogue.
For an artist whose early releases were closely associated with deep house and minimal techno, the move demonstrates a continuing interest in musical styles outside her original scene.
Her activity in 2026 also includes “different nicky,” a two-track release issued through трип on September 11.
More recently, the single “ТУЦ” appeared on digital music stores on October 16. Beatport lists the six-minute, 24-second recording under Minimal / Deep Tech at 138 BPM.
Together, these releases show that Kraviz is continuing to develop her production catalogue while managing multiple label projects.
Ibiza, Pyramid and the Global Techno Circuit
Ibiza has remained an important destination in Nina Kraviz’s international schedule.
During the 2026 season, she appeared regularly at Pyramid, the Sunday event at Amnesia Ibiza, alongside artists including Richie Hawtin and Ricardo Villalobos.
The party’s programming connects established figures with contemporary producers working across minimal house and different forms of techno.
Kraviz played multiple dates throughout the summer, including an extended set during Pyramid’s closing party on October 4.
Her involvement reflects her continuing relationship with Ibiza’s underground electronic music culture, even as the island’s nightlife industry evolves.
Her international schedule also extends to the United States.
Kraviz is confirmed to perform at Escape Halloween 2026, taking place at the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, California.
Scheduled for Saturday, October 31, her appearance will form part of The Cage stage programme alongside Richie Hawtin, Indira Paganotto, 999999999 and other techno artists.
The booking provides another example of the way her career connects specialist underground music with large-scale electronic festivals.
A Career Defined by Musical Exploration
Nina Kraviz’s career has developed through several distinct stages: her formative years in Russia, the international success of her early productions, the creation of трип and her subsequent expansion into a wider range of musical styles.
Her influence is not limited to her performances or individual releases.
Through her labels, she has provided opportunities for artists whose recordings explore unusual rhythmic structures, experimental sounds and alternative approaches to club music.
Her presence at major festivals has also demonstrated that electronic artists can reach international audiences while maintaining a strong connection to underground influences.
With new music, additional label activity and an international performance schedule extending through 2026, Kraviz remains an active figure within contemporary electronic music.
From the minimal rhythms of “Ghetto Kraviz” to the broader musical territory explored by трип and treats, her trajectory illustrates a career built on artistic experimentation, independent decision-making and a continuing interest in the culture of the dancefloor.




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