David Ramano is a Dubai-based music producer and DJ known for crafting emotive journeys through Afro House, Melodic Techno, and organic rhythms. His work goes beyond sound, weaving storytelling into every track to create a deep sense of connection. For David, music is a universal language, a message that transcends boundaries and resonates from within.
From pirate radio roots to soulful club sets in Dubai, David Ramano is an artist who crafts music with purpose. Fusing Afro House, Melodic Techno, and organic grooves, his sound feels like a journey, not just across dance floors, but inward, too. His breakout track Fall caught the attention of the underground and beyond, earning support from Camelphat and other tastemakers. Now, with his new label OMKARA on the horizon, David is building a platform for music with meaning, a home for rhythm, spirit, and deep emotional resonance. In this conversation, he shares how it all started, what fuels him creatively, and the quiet believers who helped shape his path.
David Ramano is a Dubai-based music producer and DJ known for crafting emotive journeys through Afro House, Melodic Techno, and organic rhythms. His work goes beyond sound, weaving storytelling into every track to create a deep sense of connection. For David, music is a universal language—a message that transcends boundaries and resonates from within.
Were you connected with music from a young age, or anyone in particular inspired you?
Yeah, music found me early. I grew up in a home where music was everywhere, my mum playing old soul records, and my older brother who was a big inspiration with his rare groove selection. That shaped my ears without me even realising it. I wasn’t classically trained or anything, it was instinctual. I’d hear something and feel it, then figure out how to translate that feeling.
What first kickstarted your musical career?
It really started when I stopped waiting for the ‘right moment’ and just began sharing what I was creating. For a long time, I was producing quietly, learning, experimenting, doubting myself, But one track, Fall, changed everything. I uploaded it without expectations, and it started gaining traction, DJ’s asking for promos, small labels reaching out, and Camelphat playing it at Pacha opening party. That validation pushed me to build momentum, release more and refine my sound.
Tell us more about your sound and how it has evolved.
My sound has always been about groove and emotion, but it’s definitely evolved as I’ve evolved personally. I have always experimented with fusing genres, bringing in different elements. Now I’d say my sound is a fusion of Afro House, melodic techno, and deep spiritual elements. I like to create tracks that feel like inner journeys.
Any words you want to share to encourage other artists and producers?
Absolutely, If there’s one thing i’ve learned, it’s don’t wait for perfection, create, release, evolve. Too many artists hold back because they think they’re not ready, or the world isn’t ready for them. Truth is, you find your voice by using it. Every track, every failure, every breakthrough, its all part of shaping your sound and identity. I’d also say protect your passion, don’t chase trends. Make the music you need to hear, because chances are someone else out there needs to hear it too!
Networking, consistency, character, approach… what and how do you initiate your industry relationships?
Networking is something that I do need to work on but for me, I believe in authentic connection. I don’t believe in forced networking or just reaching out to people because of their status, I reach out when there’s genuine respect for someone’s work or a true alignment in sound or energy. When it comes to character, I try to lead with humility and gratitude. I don’t oversell myself, and I always deliver what I promise. As for the approach, I keep it organic. I might send a track to a DJ I admire with no pressure, just a ‘hope this resonates with you’. Or I’ll meet people at gigs or through mutual support online.
Is there anyone specific you’d like to thank that has helped you evolve and why?
Yeah, absolutely. There are a few people who’ve played quiet but powerful roles in my evolution, mentors. collaborators , even close friends who believed in my music before I fully believed in it myself.
But if i had to name one, it would be a close friend who pushed me to release my first track. He challenged me to stop hiding behind perfectionism and just let go. That shift in mindset changed everything, it gave me permission to grow in public, to learn from feedback, and to treat every release as a stepping stone and not a final destination.
I’m also incredibly grateful to the early DJs who supported my work, especially those who played my tracks without knowing who I was. That kind of silent support means the world. And of course people who message me saying a track helped them feel something real, that fuel for the soul! So yeah massive thanks to the quiet believers, They are the reason i’m still evolving.
Name 3 albums or labels that have inspired you the most.
Three that have had a huge impact on me, both musically and spiritually would be:
Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life
This album is pure genius. The musicality, the message, the soul, it’s a masterclass in emotion and storytelling.
Earth, Wind & Fire – All ’n All
Their energy, their arrangements, the fusion of funk, soul, jazz, and African rhythms—it’s unmatched. That sense of uplift and unity they created is something I always try to channel in my own productions.
Stereo Productions (label)
There was a period in the 2000s where Stereo Productions was just on fire. Every release was big-room, soulful, tribal yet still underground. It inspired me a lot in terms of rhythm, percussion, and how to build something that moves a crowd but still carries depth.
Each one helped shape how I think about groove, emotion, and the power of music to move people beyond the surface.
What’s your favourite piece of studio equipment or software?
U-He Diva is my go-to synth. It’s got a rich, warm tone that just breathes life into melodies and pads. Whether I’m building an emotional lead or a subtle atmospheric layer, Diva gives me that analog character without losing clarity in the mix.
Name your favourite club or festival in the world, and how does it makes you feel?
I would say Hi Ibiza is up there, The sound and energy is world class. It makes you feel connected. As for festivals, I think Tomorrowland stage is epic!
Name an outlandish rider request?
Well I’m afraid mine are way too boring so I’ll go with one from Motley Crue.. a 12 ft boa constrictor, a submachine gun and jar of grey poupon mustard… for years I’ve wondered what the mustard was for? Lol
Favourite clubbing memory, who or what did it involve?
One of my favourites was Black Coffee about 7 years ago in Cannes. It wasn’t just a set, it felt like a spiritual experience. That night reminded me why I fell in love with electronic music in the first place. I felt inspired, and I think that night planted a seed that eventually led me to start producing seriously.
What quote represents you best?
“Create the things you wish existed”.. It’s simple really. I’ve never been interested in just following trends or chasing algorithms. I make music because I feel it’s something that doesn’t exist yet and I want to bring it into the world. That’s the goal to create from truth not just technique
If you could play any venue, where would it be and why?
There are so many amazing venues, I think maybe the Temple Stage at Burning Man. It’s not your typical club or festival setup and that’s probably why, to play music in that type of environment isn’t just about entertaining, playing would be like giving back to the spirit of music itself and to me that’s the highest form of DJing
One song you really couldn’t live without
That’s a very hard question because there are so many songs I couldn’t live without, but for the sake of answering this question I’ll go with “Hold Me Tighter in the Rain” by Billy Griffin. It’s timeless. It’s a track I’ve listened to since I was a child and still listen to —the groove, the vulnerability in his voice, the way it carries both melancholy and warmth at the same time. It’s the kind of track that instantly transports you. For me, it’s not just nostalgic, it’s soul medicine. I’ve played it in some of my quietest moments and some of my happiest, and it always hits exactly where it needs to. That song reminds me why I fell in love with music in the first place.
Name drop your favourite tunes, artists or DJs (past or present)
There are so many artists, but if I had to name a few… I really love what Shimza is doing right now, he’s elevating Afro House to a global stage while still keeping it rooted and powerful. There’s a precision and soul to his sets that really resonates with me. Maz is another one I’ve got to mention, there’s a real beauty in his tracks. They’re stripped back but emotional, and the way he crafts space and groove is something I really connect with.
Right now, one of my favourite tunes is “Body Language” by Samm BE, it’s a feel-good track with that perfect blend of groove, tension, and emotional pull. It’s got a timeless vibe, but still feels fresh and current. The kind of tune that lifts your energy without trying too hard—just pure, soulful movement. Other artists I’ve always looked up to include Black Coffee, Solomon, Sebastien Leger, Stephan Bodzin, and from back in the day, Masters At Work and Dennis Ferrrer, Chus & Ceballos, Grant Nelson, Todd Edwards were massive influences.
They all bring something deeper to the table, it’s not just about drops or hype, it’s about storytelling. That’s the kind of energy I live for.
What was your first music opportunity and how did it fuel your fire?
My first real music opportunity came back in the ’90s when I used to play on pirate radio. Back then, everyone listened to the radio, it was the heartbeat of the streets, the way music traveled before streaming or social media. If you wanted to be heard, that’s where you went. We’d broadcast from hidden locations with shaky signals and crates of vinyl, but the energy was unmatched.
You never knew who was tuning in, but you knew they were out there.
That raw connection, that feeling of being part of something rebellious and alive, lit a fire in me. It taught me to trust my ears and sound, and play for the soul, not for the spotlight. That foundation still fuels everything I do today. I really miss those days—it was a special time. There was purity in it, a sense of community and purpose that didn’t rely on likes or algorithms, just real music, real passion, and people tuning in because they felt it.
Tell us more about your plans for the future.
Looking ahead, I’m really focused on expanding both my sound and my creative ecosystem. One of the most exciting things on the horizon is the launch of OMKARA, my own label and platform. It’s more than just a label; it’s a space for deep, spiritual, and emotionally rich music rooted in Afro House, melodic rhythms, and global soul. I want OMKARA to be a home for artists who create with intention, who make music that moves the body but also speaks to something higher.
Any worldly advice you’d like to share?
Try not to overthink things too much, keep going and don’t take life too seriously, none of us really know what we’re doing, we’re just figuring it out as we move.
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