Dance music—and especially techno—enthusiasts around Munich will likely recognize Kareem El Morr‘s name. The Munich-based DJ and producer has become synonymous with consistent and highly refined techno, boasting releases on Ilian Tape, UMAY, Molten Moods, and many other exciting imprints. With his sleek and precise selections, he’s been a recurring presence in our lineups, but you’re about to see and hear a lot more from him at Blitz in the near future! If you’re not yet familiar with Kareem El Morr, now is the perfect time to dive in.
We’re thrilled to present Blitzcast 026 by Kareem El Morr, accompanied by an interview that delves into his approach, his perspectives on Munich’s scene, and his musical journey.
Kareem will be joining us on December 24th for our Unholy Residents bash, and he’ll be back to keep the energy soaring during our NYE & NYD CRUISE XXX-TRA LARGE party on December 31st and January 1st.
And make sure to follow Kareem El Morr on the socials to stay up to date with all the exciting news to come. INSTAGRAM / SOUNDCLOUD
Get to know Kareem El Morr as his Blitzcast guides you to a higher—or perhaps deeper—state of consciousness.
Karim, could you tell us more about your Blitzcast? How did you approach it, and what inspired you in the process?
This podcast is very much inspired by my perception of the Blitz Floor and its vibe, as well as the creative and musical direction of the club itself. I have always seen Blitz as a pillar that provides a constant in these fast-changing times, dedicated to techno’s foundations. That’s what I tried to aim for with my mix: something I’d love to hear at one of the club nights on the Blitz Floor—a seamless ride of deep and heavy bouncing beats, with a pinch of drama, melancholy, and depth. I chose tracks from my collection that are timeless classics for me—like those by Eduardo de la Calle and G-Man—blending them with newer material. The goal was to create a mix that highlights techno’s enduring brilliance over the decades, from the ’90s to the 2000s and 2010s. While I typically play sets filled with music that’s new to me, this podcast was a chance to dig deeper and reflect on my roots. To me, this balance of past and present aligns perfectly with Blitz’s vision.
As a DJ, what is your process and approach? What are you aiming to achieve in your sets, and who or what inspires you along the way?
My process is quite meticulous, maybe even a bit tiresome — I spend a lot of time preparing playlists tailored to different moods, with tracks sorted by energy levels. This lets me focus on the moment and the vibe I want to create without scrambling for the next track.
While it’s demanding to spend so much time on preparation, I enjoy the process almost as much as playing itself. Being immersed in music for hours all by yourself is an introvert’s dream, to be honest—hahaha.
Generally, the vibe of my set depends on the night, lineup, timing, and my mood. I enjoy building a constant flow of energy in my sets, with slow and deliberate transitions. The overarching journey of the night matters to me: starting off with a slow buildup, gradually taking the audience on a journey so seamless that they lose themselves in the music. Pulling this off is challenging but incredibly rewarding.
In the crowded dance music world, where do you see Kareem El Morr’s unique space? And what would the scene be like without your contribution?
I’d say my space is exactly where I am. Being a resident at Blitz is a pretty great position to be in, and I’m very grateful for it. The dance music scene today is fast-paced and often distracted by superficial trends, which makes it challenging to keep the focus on the music itself. I’d love to see the scene slow down a bit and give more attention to the art and craft of music. But that might be a bit delusional—hahaha.
You’ve played extensively around Munich in recent years. What makes Blitz stand out for you? How does it offer a unique opportunity for you in terms of sound and style?
To me, Blitz stands out as a constant source of high-quality music and programming. Electronic music has changed a lot recently, but Blitz has remained true to its values and vision in terms of musical programming, and I know how challenging that can be.
It feels like the right place for me. Stepping onto that floor when it’s packed with an energetic crowd, dimmed yet warm lights, and a killer sound system always makes me shiver. It’s a very special vibe that invites you to play deep, heady music while still being open to funk-driven sweetness in the early morning hours. Blitz offers many opportunities for special moments and never makes me feel locked into just one style.
Beyond the music, the people around the club are absolutely heartwarming and good friends, which makes the place feel even more like home.
Your next gigs at Blitz are at our festival’s Unholy Residents party on December 24th and on NYE & NYD. What can we expect from your sets? What are you looking forward to?
The 24th feels like a family gathering where the focus is on having a good time together. As far as I know, we won’t have a strict timetable, but I’m open to everything and will just try to go with the flow. Maybe some unexpected B2Bs will happen, who knows? I’m especially excited for NYE, where I’ll be playing back-to-back with Polygonia. It’s been a while since my last B2B set, and I think we share a lot of stylistic common ground, so there’s plenty of room for great moments.
How did you first get into dance music and techno?
Everyone has a phase during their youth where they explore different music genres. For me, it started early. I was obsessed with music in my teenage years.
I went through extensive phases of punk and metal when I was about 12—listening to bands like Rage Against the Machine and Nirvana. Later, I got into reggae and ’90s American hip-hop, which had a huge influence on me.
At some point, I was introduced to electronic music, and it immediately clicked. I knew this was the music I wanted to explore and create, not realizing it would spark a 20-year love story.
I was 16 or 17 at the time and already had turntables from experimenting with DJing hip-hop. I immediately went to Optimal, Munich’s go-to record store back then, and bought my first techno and house vinyl. It wasn’t anything noteworthy—probably some goofy stuff no one wants to hear today. But that’s how it started. Visiting my first techno club with my best friend Leo, also known as Vince, cemented my passion for this music.
As an “Urmünchner” (a true Munich local), how do you feel about the city and its scene?
I’m happy with Munich’s scene. It’s a good size with solid diversity now. It wasn’t always like this. About seven years ago, it felt like Munich was a house-focused music city, and it was tough to book underground techno DJs or host successful events.
Nowadays, techno has gained more prominence, though I do wish house music had a stronger presence to balance things out.
What does 2025 hold for Kareem El Morr?
Definitely more music! I’m currently working on launching our new label, roots.audio, with Reduks and VSSL—two incredible artists and friends from Munich. We share a vision for “back-to-the-roots” techno, and it feels great to contribute to the city’s music scene. Our first release will be a Various Artists EP in February 2025. I’m excited to see where this journey will take us.
Beyond your own work, what music has been exciting you lately?
In techno, I’ve been loving Altinbas’ work—it’s emotive and driving, with a timeless quality. Outside of techno, I always return to foundational tracks like Rhythm & Sound’s “Mango Drive” and Monolake’s “Hong Kong.” These classics never fail to inspire me.