WENZL of Moon Hooch chatted about his new single “Higher,” and his forthcoming concert in Brooklyn, New York, on August 23rd.
How did “Higher” come about?
The story behind “Higher” is pretty wild. A Nigerian artist named Sunkanmi posted a short vocal clip months ago. Snoop Dogg ended up reposting it, and my manager suggested I try turning it into an EDM/Afrobeats track with a saxophone hook.
As soon as I started working on it, I felt chills. The sax melody that came out of me was unlike anything I’d written before — it felt like I was channeling the spirit of a group of people I hadn’t even met yet.
Six months later, 3Beat, a record label in the UK, picked up the song and flew me across the world to Lagos, Nigeria, to meet Sunkanmi and her crew.
She picked me up at the airport with a bunch of dancers, and we immediately started throwing impromptu dance parties around the city.
Some of the areas we went to seemed intimidating at first, but the moment we played the song, people lit up — even the toughest-looking folks started smiling and dancing. It was unreal. I can’t wait to share the content we captured with the world!
What inspires your music and songwriting?
I’m a trained jazz musician who later became a DJ and EDM producer, and that background really shapes my creative approach.
I’m especially drawn to the spiritual side of jazz — it’s about entering a mental space where you’re fully open, allowing the music to move through you in real time. That same mindset guides me when I make EDM.
A lot of EDM today feels overly polished and formulaic, and I try to break out of that by keeping spontaneity and emotion alive in my tracks. I want my music to feel alive — like something’s happening in the moment.
Can you tell us about your upcoming show in Brooklyn on August 23rd?!
I actually got my start in dance music 14 years ago throwing underground warehouse parties — renting the space, setting up the lights, running the show. Since then, I’ve played over 3,000 gigs around the world, but I’ve always wanted to return to those roots.
This Brooklyn show is all about that raw energy and creative freedom. I’m designing a custom light show using mirrors to bounce beams across the walls, and I’ll be performing live sax over house music with an artsy, experimental twist. It won’t just be a concert — it’ll be a full-on sensory experience.
To learn more about this Brooklyn concert, click here.
What do your plans for the future include?
Right now, I’m in Nigeria working with Sunkanmi — we’re shooting content and creating more tracks together. I want to keep pushing my sound into new directions, exploring unfamiliar genres and cultural influences, and blending them into my EDM sets.
Ultimately, no matter how far I stretch sonically, my goal is always the same: to make people move.
How does it feel to be an artist in the digital age?
It’s both liberating and exhausting. On one hand, social media gives you the power to reach millions from your bedroom.
On the other hand, everyone has that power — so standing out gets harder and harder. And the pressure to constantly churn out content on top of making music can feel overwhelming.
But at the same time, it’s exciting. There’s never been more opportunity to connect directly with people.
What is your advice for young and emerging artists?
Focus on the process, not the result. Being an artist means constantly creating — music, content, ideas.
Once you’re doing that consistently, you’re already winning. Whether the work becomes “successful” or not isn’t the point.
Consistency naturally brings growth. So don’t get caught up in chasing results. Embrace the process, enjoy every step, and remember that each moment is one of a kind.
Where you are now — that’s a sacred, unique part of your journey. Don’t waste it worrying about others’ opinions.
What would you like to say to your fans about the new music?
Get ready for some high-energy, feel-good dance music — with some fresh flavors and, of course, some epic sax hooks. Let’s go!
To learn more about WENZL, follow him on Instagram and TikTok.
