Saqib: “The underground still has the power to bring real change.”

For Saqib, music has always been a bridge between worlds. Born in Pakistan and now based in New York City, the Brooklyn-based producer and DJ channels a lifetime of cultural contrast into sets that pulse with emotion and intention. His sound moves freely across borders with deep, tribal, and hypnotic grooves that speak to something ancient yet ever-present.

Known for releases on Sol Selectas, Abracadabra, and his own imprint Beats On Time, Saqib has built a reputation as one of the underground’s most dynamic storytellers. Whether performing at sunrise gatherings or intimate warehouse nights, his approach is always rooted in connection and gratitude, a reflection of both his South Asian heritage and his belief in music’s power to unite.

This October, he joins Robag Wruhme, Anja Schneider, Florian Kruse, Galen, and Jenner at Duke of Tokyo for a special  ADE fundraiser by Electronic Groove and Listed.  One hundred percent of ticket and bar proceeds will go to UNICEF’s emergency programs supporting children affected by the crisis in Gaza, a cause that hits close to Saqib’s heart.

Ahead of the event, we spoke with him about community, responsibility, and the unspoken power of rhythm to bring people together when words fall short.

EG: Welcome, Saqib. It’s a pleasure to have you here for this special ADE fundraiser. We’re grateful for your support.

Saqib: Thanks for having me!

EG: Where are you today, and how are you feeling heading into ADE for this special night?

Saqib: I’m in NYC at the moment, which is where I’m based. Really looking forward to ADE and sharing this night with you.

EG: Your sets blend genres so naturally. How do you prepare for a fundraiser where the crowd might come from all walks of life?

Saqib: You just play it by ear!

EG: What role do drums and rhythm play in connecting people, especially in moments of collective purpose?

Saqib: Drums connect the primitive, common part of our souls together.

EG: You’ve built a reputation for adaptability. How do you bring that flexibility to a night with such emotional weight?

Saqib: Good question. It’s important not to fun-wash such a serious situation. I haven’t quite figured it out.

EG: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from collaborating with artists across the globe?

Saqib: I think one of the biggest lessons has been to be grateful for all these opportunities and resources we have in the USA and not take things for granted. And appreciate it all and realize how lucky we are.

“The underground, collectively, has the power to bring about real social change, and there are examples of this throughout the past decades”

EG: How do you see the underground’s role in creating solidarity and real change?

Saqib: The underground, collectively, has the power to bring about real social change, and there are examples of this throughout the past decades. I think we have to be careful about the whitewashing and commercialization of it for this reason; we lose touch with the ability to bring about change when we allow it to lose its soul.

EG: If your set were a message in sound to the children this fundraiser supports, what would you want it to say?

Saqib: Sorry that we (the world) have all let you down.

EG: How has your South Asian heritage shaped your outlook as an artist and as a person?

Saqib: Growing up in Pakistan shaped my personality and my outlook in every single way. How I think about music, art, family, culture, friendships—all of it. All of my musical chops, influences, films, ideas, and early formative experiences that, together, made me the artist I am today.

EG: On a personal level, how does it feel knowing that your set tonight will directly support children facing unimaginable challenges?

Saqib: In my eyes…it’s not that much honestly. Compared to the suffering and destruction, I don’t know if it’s even a drop in the bucket of it all.

EG: When the lights go down and people leave Duke of Tokyo on October 23, what’s the one feeling or message you hope they carry home with them?

Saqib: That humanity is all in this together and we are basically the same.

EG: Thank you, Saqib, for being part of this important night. We value your contribution deeply.

Saqib: Thank you for having me! Always a pleasure ❤️.

Saqib will perform at EG and Listed’s ADE fundraiser on Thursday, October 23rd. Grab your tickets here.