IN CONVERSATION WITH GINTON

Interview by Samo Šajn

Ginton is an Amsterdam-based DJ, producer, and guitarist known for blending his signature guitar sound with global electronic rhythms. A former jazz guitar student at the Conservatorium in Rotterdam, he has gone on to work with artists like Drake, Stonebwoy, and Gordo. He also built his own label, Woody Trees, as a home for his unique sound. We sat down with Ginton to talk about his journey and his latest "The Garden" EP, which includes "Kalabancoro" single that he teamed up for with Grammy-nominated African icons Richard Bona and Salif Keita.

Your early background was in jazz guitar, but today you’re known for blending that with electronic sounds. How did that transition happen?

I was searching for a way to make the guitar feel relevant again, since it’s so often tied to rock or blues. I started experimenting with riffs over modern electronic beats, and after a lot of trial and error, I eventually found the sweet spot where the two worlds meet.

Amsterdam has been your home base. In what ways has the city influenced your career, both musically and personally?

I moved to Amsterdam at 16 to study music, and that’s where I met the musicians who changed my life, many of whom I still play with today. They introduced me to African Highlife, Caribbean, and Surinamese music. Until then, I was mainly into rock and blues, but those new sounds completely opened my eyes to what the guitar could do.

You’ve described meeting Richard Bona as a full-circle moment. What did that encounter mean to you?

I’ve admired Richard Bona for years, he’s one of the greatest bass players and singers alive. Meeting him felt like a full-circle moment because I shifted from jazz into electronic music, and that path is what eventually led me to work with him. It was surreal, but also felt meant to be.

Many of your collaborations cross continents and cultures. What excites you most about working with artists from such different backgrounds?

Every country has its own musical influences, and that always inspires me. You can fly just a few hours and discover a whole new take on a genre. The Caribbean is a perfect example. So many styles stem from African music, but every island has its own version, from salsa to merengue, bachata to zouk. That diversity is what makes music beautiful, and working with artists from different cultures constantly gives me new energy.

You founded your own label, Woody Trees. What vision do you have for it beyond being just a home for your releases?

Woody Trees is more than just a label. It’s a movement that stands for nature, freedom, and sound. It’s an imprint dedicated to highlighting music that blurs the lines between acoustic and electronic worlds. I want it to be a home for that fusion and a platform that reflects a vision bigger than just releasing my own tracks.

Your track with Stonebwoy went viral on TikTok and reached number one on Shazam. How do you feel about the role of social media in today’s music industry?

Social media is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it can turn nothing into something overnight and gives everyone a fair shot. On the other, the pressure to constantly create content can be draining for artists who just want to focus on music. So it has its positives and its challenges.

You’ve co-produced for huge names like Drake and Gordo. How do you approach balancing commercial projects with more personal, experimental ones?

For me, there’s no real difference. I just make music from the heart. Even with Drake, the track I co-produced, Tie That Binds, isn’t a traditional commercial song. It even has a full one-minute guitar solo. Whether it’s a big collaboration or a personal project, I approach it the same way: it has to feel real.

Guitar remains central to your identity as an artist. What does it represent for you beyond just sound?

I’ve had a guitar in my hands since I was four, and I’ve always pictured myself on stage with it. For me, it’s more than just an instrument, it’s an extension of who I am.

When you think about your journey as a whole, what message do you hope your career sends about balancing tradition and innovation in music?

The message I hope to send is one of equality. No human being is greater than another. Musically, I want to inspire young artists to keep experimenting, to push their instruments in new directions, and to blend tradition with today’s sound.

When you step away from the studio or the stage, what keeps you grounded and inspired in your everyday life?

My son. He’s number one, always.