To kick off 2018, Jenja Club Jakarta welcomed Budakid for a special performance on January 5, 2018.
Although his name was still unfamiliar to many local clubbers, Budakid had already earned solid recognition within Europe’s underground scene.
That night, he delivered a confident and well-structured Progressive set that surprised the crowd, proving that age had nothing to do with musical maturity.
Despite his youth, Budakid had already gained support from respected names such as Tensnake, Oliver Schories, Einmusik, Guy J, and Claptone.
Naturally, this raised one question: who exactly is Budakid?
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Story of Budakid
Born as Kevin Huizing, the 26-year-old producer comes from Tilburg, the Netherlands.
He began his musical journey early.
“I started around 14–15 years old,” Kevin said.
At that time, he spent countless hours in his bedroom exploring new sounds with friends, experimenting with a small mixer, and hosting casual jam sessions.
Eventually, someone suggested he start playing out.
“Just don’t put DJ Kevin as my stage name,” he laughed.
The inspiration for his alias came from a personal place.
Kevin shared that his grandmother, who was Indonesian, once gave him a statue of Buddha surrounded by children.
From that image, the name Budakid was born.
“I can’t pick my own name but it’s good to have another name. It sounds fancier to me,” he said.
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Budakid’s Musical Style
Interestingly, Kevin gravitated toward Tech and Progressive sounds at a very young age.
This direction was a conscious choice.
“I was always influenced by minimal Tech House music,” he explained.
When asked which track sparked his deep connection to the genre, he pointed to Joris Voorn’s remix of Robert Babicz’s “Dark Flower.”
“The remix really inspires me,” Kevin said.
His musical roots, however, started even earlier.
“I was a drummer since I was 7 years old. Whenever I saw a drum kit, I always played it,” he recalled.
After his cousin introduced him to music software that allowed him to recreate drum parts on a computer, Kevin began exploring sound design more seriously and intensively.
One of his most meaningful tracks, “No Human Is Illegal,” was created about three years ago during his time in Berlin as an exchange student.
While walking around the city, Kevin encountered images of immigrants stranded on beaches, alongside the reality of refugees arriving in Berlin to escape conflict.
The experience left a strong impression on him.
“I just worked on a progression and it worked out pretty fast,” he said.
Every time he revisits the track, it brings him back to that moment.
“When I made the track, I had the picture in my mind as well,” Kevin explained.
The title came from graffiti he saw in a neighborhood known for supporting immigrants.
“I was living in a neighborhood that helps immigrants. I saw the writing ‘No Human Is Illegal,’ and I think it’s true,” he added.
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Next Step of Budakid’s Career
Berlin continues to hold a special place in his heart.
“It’s like the capital of underground music,” he stated.
Personally, he prefers intimate venues over massive halls.
“When I play for 500 people in a small club, it’s really intense. You can feel the energy of everyone,” he said.
Although he has played festivals before, one standout moment was his set at Komm Schon Alter Festival in Amsterdam alongside Jonas Saalbach.
“It was crazy! The crowd went nuts. It was really impressive,” Kevin recalled.
Entering 2018, Budakid stayed busy with new releases.
Two tracks, “Memories” and “On An Empty Page,” arrived via Guy J’s Lost & Found label.
Meanwhile, his remix of Thomas Roberts’ “Beyond The Access” appeared on Electronica’s Finest Vol. 4 through KNM.
He also prepared upcoming releases on Eelke Kleijn’s DAYS like NIGHTS and Oliver Koletzki’s Stil Vor Talent.
Beyond the studio, Budakid planned an Asia tour starting in June 2018.
“I’m looking forward to the tour,” he said.
With such momentum, fans in Jakarta hoped it wouldn’t be long before he returned to the city.
