Originally from Brazil, Joyce Muniz moved to Vienna in her teens where her career in electronic music began, also spreading her roots to Berlin. With a vast background, her career has spanned DJing, MCing and music production. Starting out at Vienna’s iconic Flex club, she gained international recognition touring with Major Lazer before focusing on her own productions, releasing music on influential labels such as Exploited, Get Physical, Kompakt, Permanent Vacation, International DJ Gigolo, and Pets.
Her second album release in 2023 “Zeitkapsel” (meaning “time capsule”) marked a milestone, launching her own imprint Joyce Muniz Music and showcasing her versatile sound – from trip-hop and downtempo vibes on “Never Brushing The Sound” featuring British MC Le3 bLACK to drum & bass on “Bangalore Girl” supported by DJ Marky, onto house classics like “Imagine” featuring the iconic vocalist Roland Clark. The standout track “Arrivederci Bella” marked a jacking love letter to electro house, featuring Muniz rapping in Portuguese – the first time she’d used her own voice since her baile-funk-inspired outings in the mid-2000s.
Joyce’s artistic evolution is deeply intertwined with her personal journey, including a transformative battle with cancer and spiritual reconnection through her grandfather’s roots to shamanism. This renewal fueled her creativity during 2020, sharpening her production skills and expanding her role as a sought-after Native Instruments workshop host, marking the birth of “Zeitkapsel“.
Her recent singles “No Haters” (Permanent Vacation, 2024) and Beats & Lines (Kompakt, 2024) have earned international acclaim, with “Beats & Lines” topping Beatport’s Indie Dance Chart for weeks. Having just released the Afro-electro single “Mo Dupe” on Exploited in April 2025, we had a chance of catching up with her from her personal background onto her journey in the music scene, as she is set to return to Kompakt in June – keep your eyes peeled!
1. “Mo Dupe” is such a beautiful blend of Afro, electro, and Italo sounds. What was the spark behind it? Did the Nigerian ritual vocals or the story of Oxum play a big role in shaping the mood?
For a few years, we have been seeing Afro house becoming one of the strongest genres in electronic music. But for me, the elements of African music can be interpreted in many different ways. Having an African-Brazilian background and connection to African spirituality and music, it has always been my dream to combine my style with those sounds. Mo Dupe is my personal interpretation of African electro. I wanted to do something unique. The vocals were part of this experience since the language Yoruba is one of the oldest in the African community and the ritual for Oxum was the perfect match for that tune.
2. The title means “I give thanks” in Yoruba, which is such a powerful message. Was gratitude something you were consciously channeling in this track—or did it come more naturally?
My intuition from the beginning was to have the message of gratitude. It was very clear that this tune would become my personal mantra of gratitude. Mo Dupe means “I am grateful” and yes, I do have many reasons to be grateful. Especially in the current days we are living in.
3. We’ve been loving your recent run — “Beats & Lines”, “No Haters” and now “Mo Dupe”. Each one hits differently. How do you keep evolving your sound without losing your identity?
Thanks for your kindly words, I appreciate it. All 3 tunes that you mentioned were produced in different phases of my journey. But yes, for me it is very important to keep my signature even if each tune has different sounds or elements. When Sara Bluma sent me the vocals for Beats & Lines, I felt that funny easy energy, for me it was important that the sounds around also keep that vibe. It took for me many years to shape my style to finally get the signature and be able to try new ideas out.
4. You’ve got roots in Brazil and a base in Vienna — two very different worlds. How do those places influence your music, both emotionally and sonically?
I feel very privileged to be part of both worlds. The Brazilian roots definitely give me the groove and the drums background, even if I don’t make the classic Latin style music, I still bring the groove to my dark electro productions which comes from the Viennese melancholic vibes.
5. You’re back on Exploited for this release — what keeps drawing you to the label? How does it compare to working with Kompakt or Permanent Vacation?
Dj Shir Khan (Exploited head) was the first label that signed my first single “Party over here Party over there” as producer back in 2010. The release went very well and became Single of the Month on DJ Mag UK. After that success Shir Khan signed 2 more singles with me. Shir Khan and I were friends before we started working together but I am very sure that the music made our relationship as friends even stronger. Exploited is like family but I feel the warm welcome with all the labels I have been working with. For me, it is very important to sign my music with the labels that appreciate my art and give me the freedom to express it. Michael Meyer (KOMPAKT) & Benjamin Fröhlich (Permanent Vacation) are two important labels heads in our scene that have been showing their fine taste not only as label owners but also as producers, they totally understand the artistic aspect behind a track.
6. There’s something really raw and lo-fi about “Mo Dupe”, but it still slaps in a club setting. Can you talk a bit about your production approach — how did you get that sound just right?
For me, it is very important to have a strong synth bassline that brings the groove and also carries the song. For this track I have used Moog sub 37. Moog Sub 37 has been the soul for most of my production. It’s my favourite synth. To make it even more crisp, I sent the bassline via Otto bit (Bitcrusher). The cosmic sound pads come from Roland Jupiter. I wanted to have a dreamy energy with a lot of room. So the vocals could be present. I basically build the beat around the vocals.
7. It must feel good to get support from artists like Rampa, Chloé, DJ Seinfeld, and Terr… How does it feel when DJs you respect drop your tracks on big stages?
It’s always lovely to get the appreciation of the people I admire. It’s about mutual growth.
8. You’ve got an exciting tour ahead — Ibiza, Mexico City (got cancelled) instead Panama tour, Docklands Festival with Solomun & co… How do you prepare for such different crowds around the world? Or do you just feel it out at the moment?
I feel the development of my productions in the past few years went hand in hand with my DJ sets. I feel that everywhere I go, I can bring my style which is very diverse, like my releases. Most of the time I go with the flow of the energy of the party. I do love to play for big crowds, but I also love to play in intimate venues. In the end, it’s about the vibe you create in your set.
9. You’re hitting 20 years of DJing next year — which is huge. What’s one moment in your career that still gives you chills, and one lesson you carry with you today?
One of the moments that I still get goose-bumps from and is flattering is when I try out new tunes of mine. Especially when they are raw. Seeing the dance-floor feeling it, gives me a smile and also the direct feedback that every musician loves. A lesson that I care about is to always be open to new music. There is always something new to discover. That’s why I love to DJ.
10. You’ve also released music on your own imprint, Joyce Muniz Music. Do you see it growing into a space for new artists or special projects in the future?
Well, Joyce Muniz Music was basically launched to release my last album “Zeitkapsel” since the album was a unique project of mine that brings not only classic dance music but also different genres. I created the label to give me the space to be able to release projects that are more abstract. I haven’t planned any big releases on JMM this year but probably my next album will be released there.
