Oct 20

Hasan Ghazi: "I want to keep evolving my sound"

Hasan Ghazi is a DJ and producer from Toronto, known for his fusion of techno and house. As the founder of Reckoning Records, he has attracted attention from artists like Paul Van Dyk. After six years in clubs in Shanghai, he returned to Toronto in 2020, redefining his sound and achieving success on Beatport. His music features infectious rhythms and hypnotic melodies.

Your new EP "State of Mind" in collaboration with Filip Zarkic and Madness Factory is coming out soon. How did this collaboration come about, and what can we expect from the project?

Madness Factory has been a part of Reckoning Records for a few years, and we’ve had some amazing collaborations in the past, like The Red Pill and Double Dragon, which were both huge successes. This time, Madness Factory brought an idea he was working on with Filip Zarkic to me, and I immediately saw its potential. I infused it with my own distinct style, and together, we created this minimal yet powerful melodic techno track with a great groove. State of Mind is a blend of deep atmospheres and infectious rhythms, and we’re really excited for people to experience it.

Your career has taken you to various countries, including a significant experience in China. How have these different musical cultures influenced your evolution as a DJ and producer?

Traveling and playing music in different parts of the world has been eye-opening. In China, the electronic music scene was just emerging when I started, and witnessing how they embraced techno was inspiring. The music culture there is vibrant and open to new sounds, which really pushed me to experiment with my style. Every country brings a different energy, and I try to incorporate that into my sets and productions—whether it's the rhythm-heavy beats I encountered in South America or the more progressive, atmospheric sounds popular in Europe. It’s all about adaptation and evolution.

You founded Reckoning Records to have greater creative freedom. What are some of the challenges and opportunities you’ve faced as the head of an independent label in today’s electronic music market?

Running an independent label like Reckoning Records is both a challenge and a reward. One of the biggest challenges is getting visibility in a market that's oversaturated with talent. You’re competing with major labels that have far more resources. But that’s also where the opportunity lies—being independent allows us to take creative risks without the pressure of following trends or commercial expectations. We have the freedom to push boundaries and release music that we truly believe in, and that has been incredibly fulfilling. The support from our artists and listeners has been phenomenal, and that drives us to keep going.

Your music seems to blend influences from both Western and Eastern musical ideologies. How has your cultural background, straddling Canada and Pakistan, shaped your unique sound?

Growing up in Canada with a Pakistani heritage gave me a rich, diverse musical palette to draw from. In the West, I was influenced by techno, house, and other electronic genres, while my roots exposed me to the deep rhythms and scales of South Asian music. I try to blend these worlds in my productions—taking the hypnotic and emotional depth of Eastern music and fusing it with the structure and energy of Western electronic sounds. It’s a unique balance that reflects my personal journey and cultural identity.

You’ve gained recognition from industry giants like Paul Van Dyk and achieved multiple hits on Beatport. What are your next goals for your music career and for Reckoning Records?

It's been incredible to have the support of legends like Paul Van Dyk, and hitting the Beatport charts has been a huge milestone. Moving forward, I want to keep pushing myself creatively. For my music career, the goal is to continue evolving my sound and collaborating with artists who challenge me to think outside the box. For Reckoning Records, I want to expand our reach globally and bring more emerging talent into the spotlight. We're also exploring live events and expanding our presence in the underground scene, so there’s a lot on the horizon.