Getting To Know: Sem Jacobs

You’ve likely heard of Sem Jacobs by now, and for good reason. This young Dutch DJ and producer has quickly shaken up the house music scene with hits and his rising record label, FUNKiMAN.

Tracks like ‘Pass Me The Wine Please’ and ‘Jiggy Jerry’ have lit up dance floors worldwide, with big names like Marco Carola and Seth Troxler playing his beats. His latest hit, ‘Blue Berries’ featuring Tagmann, boasts 4 million streams and is climbing Beatport charts while getting major radio play on stations like BBC Radio1.

Sem’s rapid rise began in March 2022 at No Art, followed by a performance at Printworks London and launching FUNKiMAN. His breakout track ‘Pass Me The Wine Please’ got a shoutout from BBC’s Danny Howard. By September, he was headlining in South America.

In 2023, his tracks energized venues like Circoloco in DC-10. ‘Jiggy Jerry’ with Tagmann became a standout release on PIV, earning praise from Skream. After a successful summer, Sem toured South America.

2024 saw the release of his biggest hit yet, ‘Blue Berries.’ Dubbed “the anthem of the summer,” it’s dominating Ibiza and beyond, climbing to number 2 on Beatport’s Top 100. With this momentum, Sem Jacobs is set to continue making waves in the music world.

We caught up with the rising star to get to know him a little bit better…

Hey Sem, welcome to DT. How’s your year going?

Hey guys, thanks for having me! Really good thank you. It has been quite a rollercoaster over the last couple of months ha! 

Can you introduce yourself to anyone who doesn’t know you?

Yes, for sure. I’m Sem Jacobs, born and raised in the city of Alkmaar in The Netherlands and I’m 25 years old. I started two years ago as a solo DJ/Producer after being in a DJ duo – Silk & Fuss together with Tagmann –  for a while. I’ve started my own label FUNKiMAN and released a couple of tracks which you might have heard: ‘Blue Berries’, ‘Pass Me The Wine Please’ or ‘Jiggy Jerry’. Or you might have seen me play at No Art, Solid Grooves or Flow – somewhere in South America or somewhere in Europe.

Where are you based currently?

I’m based in the city of Alkmaar in The Netherlands, which is very close to Amsterdam.

What inspired you to get into music?

I don’t exactly remember, but I just loved music from a very young age. My parents used to listen to so many different styles of music at home and I loved it. When I was 11 years old I started DJing together with my dear friend Damon (Tagmann) at friend’s parties. That’s how it started for me. My cousin Mitchell was also a very big influence because he was DJing as well and taught me a lot. A couple of years later, when I was 14 years old, I tried to produce some music myself and I was fascinated by the way that you could just start with nothing and create a tune completely on your own. Slowly but surely I knew that this was something I had to put all my effort and time in, and look at where we are now! It’s been such an interesting journey and I can’t wait for what’s next.  

Your new track ‘Blue Berries’ is out on your own label can you tell us about the plans for the label and how the single came about?

I started FUNKiMAN two years ago because I really felt that many labels just wouldn’t be the right fit for me. Also, I feel that many labels nowadays are just distributing music rather than really putting all their energy into it to give the release the push it deserves.

I just wanted to start something cool and timeless for myself, but also for like-minded artists to release their music on. The last two years passed by so quickly and I didn’t expect the label to have that much support and love from so many DJs and listeners. There are many things we as FUNKiMAN are working on, but this year we’ll focus on releasing more music from different artists, releasing vinyl and big remixes. After ‘Pass Me The Wine Please’, the track ‘Blue Berries’ in particular has been the biggest success on the label so far and it’s growing every day. I made this track together with Tagmann and it all went really quickly. In one studio session, the first version was born and I sent it over to my friends Jesse & OZ, from ANOTR, they tested it in Marbella and told me the reaction of the crowd was crazy. Tagmann and I headed back to the studio to finetune everything – because I wasn’t satisfied with the groove yet, as always haha. Before the release, many labels wanted to sign the track but we decided to release it on FUNKiMAN and the rest is history. 

Who are your biggest musical influences?

I’ve got so many influences, but my biggest ones are House, a bit of Jazz, Soul, Fun, Disco and Latin. But honestly, in every genre, there’s something that I could use. Nowadays there aren’t really boundaries, I just make what I love, how cliche as that might sound. 

How would you best describe your sound?

Some have described earlier it as timeless, groovy, rhythmic and yet refreshing. So I would like to agree with that haha, at least I’m trying to live up to it. Trying my best!!

What does a typical day in the life of Sem look like?

Basically working, working and working the whole day. It could be tons of different things on the same day, making music, preparing for shows, label work, interviews, planning, calls and everything you could think of basically. 

What is your best advice to anyone starting out in the industry as a producer?

Just make as many different tunes as you can, experiment, don’t think too much, don’t follow one wave or hype and just have fun. The last one is key, just try, learn and have fun!

What are your hobbies outside of music and production?

I love cooking, good wine, enjoying nature, sports, discovering new places and just being with my family and close friends. 

Are you working on any new material?

Always! Be ready 😉

What can we expect from you for the rest of the year?

There’s so much going on right now, but I’m mostly looking forward to releasing some Blue Berries remixes, which is an absolute dream. I’m making my Ibiza debut this month and will be touring much more. Next to that, we’ll be releasing some bangers on FUNKiMAN – can’t wait to share it with the world.

What’s been the highlight of your career so far?

These last two years felt like a dream and since the release of ‘Blue Berries’ it’s been even crazier. My personal highlight is that people are really discovering and enjoying my music and for me, that’s the essence of what I’m trying to do. I just want to make people happy with this thing. 

Also, my first show in South America was really special and lastly I also love that my friend Tagmann and I still work together and we get to experience the success of Blue Berries together. We were a dj/producer before and split two years ago and now we found a way to on some occasions work together again, but also do our solo thing. Full circle moment!

⚡️ THE LIGHTENING ROUND ⚡️    

• First ever gig?

At a friends’ birthday together with Tagmann when we were 11 years old.

• Go-to track to get the crowd moving?

Sounds awful to say it myself, but atm ‘Blue Berries’ without a single doubt.

• Most memorable festival moment?

Joris Voorn playing ‘Right On’ by Silicone Soul at Strafwerk Festival (NL). After my cousin showed me that classic tune just the night before while we were hanging at my uncle’s bar ‘Berries’.   

• Favourite city to play in?

There’s so much I still need to discover, but for now: Medelín or Napoli.

• Pre-show ritual?

Opening a bottle of wine and toasting with a few people in the crowd around the booth.

• Biggest challenge in the music industry today?

That you have to be good at all the social media nonsense, I don’t like this to be honest.

• Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Trust your gut.

• If you could go back in time, what event would you relive?

My first show in Colombia.

• Favourite place to relax after a show?

Somewhere a little less crowded with some friends and some drinks. 

• Favorite food on tour?

Italian, Mexican, Asian, something new and tasty.

• Biggest musical influence?

Jazz, Funk, Soul, Latin & Disco

• Most unexpected song in your personal playlist?

I have so many different ones, but one of my favourite tracks is ‘Clouds’ by Cannonball Adderley & The Bossa Rio Sextet.

• One item you can’t tour without?

My laptop haha.

• Favourite way to discover new music

Just by digging.

• Funniest thing that’s happened during a set?

Now that I’m thinking of it last year, a girl kissed me in the booth while I was playing, just out of nowhere. It happened a couple of weeks ago again. I guess they both enjoyed the music I played.

• What do you love most about house music?

That if it’s good and it’s timeless, it just never gets old. 

‘Blue Berries’ by Sem Jacobs and Tagmann is out now, grab yourself a copy from here!