Leon Kirschnek, aka southstar, has just released the official video for his remix of “Dancin,” the iconic track by Aaron Smith featuring Luvli. You can expect a modern new version with a more powerful beat, made definitely for the clubs, and the visuals prove exactly that.
Unlike typical Gen Z sounds shaped mostly by commercial trends, he has made it his mission to create his own EDM style and become a representative of a subculture that values uniqueness.
This is a producer at the top of his game putting his spin on one of Dance music’s most bulletproof records. Hit play below!
A Classic That Just Won’t Quit
For those who need a refresher on the original, “Dancin” is anything but a new song. Aaron Smith first released it back in 2004, featuring vocalist Luvli, and it eventually cracked the top 10 of the Billboard Hot Dance Airplay chart by early 2006.
Not bad for a housey cut that most people had never heard of. However, the real explosion came much later.
When French duo Krono flipped it into a remix, and it got tied to a viral meme around the video game A Hat in Time, the song went absolutely nuclear with hundreds of millions of plays.
Getting to Know Leon Kirschnek (southstar)
If you’re not already familiar, here’s the short version. southstar is a German producer and DJ from Berlin who’s been quietly building one of the most interesting catalogs in European Dance music.
His sound pulls from old-school elements in Trance, Techno, and Hip-Hop. Plus, high energy/big feelings, the kind of stuff that hits differently at 2am.
He broke through with “Miss You,” a banger built around Oliver Tree’s “Jerk” that went viral and climbed into the Top Ten in Germany.
Then came the drama. A very public dispute with Grammy-nominated producer Robin Schulz put his name in front of a whole new audience.
Whether you were on his side or not, you definitely knew who he was after that!
He’s Got a Thing for Remixes
Remixes are very much southstar’s thing. He’s already put his stamp on tracks by Empire of the Sun, Artemas, Ellie Goulding, and others, and each one feels less like a cash-in and more like a genuine reinterpretation.
One way or another, that’s exactly the vibe he brings to “Dancin” too.
His recent run of releases has been relentless. Beyond his remixes, I recommend you listen to “Don’t Stop,” an excellent collaboration with DJ HEARTSTRING.
CONNECT WITH SOUTHSTAR
Hi, I’m Erick Ycaza — a music blogger with a BA in Advertising & Graphic Design. I created this blog to keep you updated with daily music news. Surprisingly, I’ve been writing about music since 2007. If you’re an artist and would like to be featured, feel free to reach out: info@electrowow.net
