Getting to Know… Kahnti

f: Hi Kahnti, it’s a pleasure to chat with you today, how are you?

Kahnti: I’m great, thank you! It’s been an exciting time with my debut album, ‘One Love’, coming out, I’m feeling inspired and grateful for everything that’s unfolding.

f: Please tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from and how you started making dance music?

Kahnti: I’m originally from Philadelphia and now based in Dallas, Texas. Music has always been part of my life, my parents were singer-songwriters, so I grew up surrounded by creativity and rhythm. I started DJing and producing a few years ago after rediscovering how therapeutic and connective house music can be. That spark became my artist name, Kahnti, and my movement, House Music Therapy, using music to bring people together through healing, therapy, and soul connection.

f: Who did you listen to growing up and do they influence your music career at all today?

Kahnti: I grew up listening to artists like U2, Tears for Fears, Chaka Khan, and Chic, music that made me dance and feel. I was always known as “the dancer” growing up, and songs like ‘Planet Rock’ by Afrika Bambaataa, ‘Numbers’ by Kraftwerk, and ‘Give Me Tonight’ by Shannon would take me somewhere else. The rhythm, energy, and emotion in those tracks were therapeutic and dancing to them was my escape, my joy, and my earliest form of healing. That same feeling drives my music today – creating sounds that move people, lift spirits, and bring a sense of connection and release.

f: How would you describe your sound?

Kahnti: My sound blends Afro, Deep, and Soulful House – it’s rhythmic, emotional, and full of energy. I want people to feel something when they hear it — whether it’s joy, release, or reflection. For me, it’s all about creating a vibe that heals, connects, and moves both the body and the soul.

f: What was your first release? 

Kahnti: ‘My Boo Thang’ on unquantize was my first release. It came straight from the heart – a creative expression of where I was at that moment. It marked the start of my journey and opened the door for the sound I’ve continued to grow and expand from.

f: Which of your own tracks was the biggest labour of love to create / personal favourite? 

Kahnti: ‘Energy’, without question. It was a true labour of love because I poured so much intention and emotion into it. I’m big on energy; there’s so much power in what we feel and how it affects us. I wanted this track to capture that vibration of movement, connection, and positivity. Whenever I listen to it, it takes me back to that feeling I had growing up, the joy of music, the freedom of dancing, and the way sound can move the soul. It reminds me why I’m doing what I’m doing – my love for music, creativity, and the impact a song can have on the spirit. 

f: And your most successful release?

Kahnti: ‘My Boo Thang’ has definitely been my most successful release so far. It connected with people in a special way and helped introduce my sound to a wider audience. The song is especially close to my heart because I actually wrote it for my husband. We have a very special relationship, and I wanted to share that celebration of love and connection with others. What makes it even more meaningful is how it all started – some of my closest friends encouraged me to submit the track to Quantize’s Show Talent Tuesday on their A&R forum, and that’s where it was discovered. From that moment, it’s been a beautiful ride ever since. I’m so grateful for my husband, my family, and my friends who continue to support me and believe in what I’m doing – their love has been the foundation of it all.

f: You’ve just released your debut album ‘One Love’ on unquantize recordings, what we can expect to hear? 

Kahnti: ‘One Love; is all about connection, rhythm, and positive energy. It blends Afro and Deep House with layers of percussion, deep grooves, and beats that move both the body and the spirit. You’ll hear my voice throughout the album, and the track ‘Free’dom’ features my son’s vocals, which makes it even more special. Every song carries a message of unity, love, and gratitude – a reminder that music has the power to bring people together and touch the soul. The album also features a collaborative remix between DJ Spen and myself on ‘My Boo Thang’, and a remix of ‘Energy’ from Geoffrey C.

f: How long did the album take to make and are you pleased with the results?

Kahnti: The album took about a year to complete, and I’m really proud of how it all came together. It was a journey of patience, growth, and trust in the process. Each track found its place in its own time, and hearing the finished project felt like everything aligned exactly as it was meant to. Working with DJ Spen and the unquantize team helped bring the vision to life, their support and understanding of my sound made the whole experience even more special.

f: What’s your favourite track on the album and why?

Kahnti: That’s a hard one as each song has its own meaning and touches a different part of me. ‘Just Dance’ is my go-to when I want to release and just move. Spiritual Boogie and Energy both carry that uplifting, soulful vibration I love. And ‘Uba’, that Spanish guitar is absolutely beautiful and gives it such a unique energy. Every track represents a different emotion and moment, so it’s hard to choose just one.

f: How hard has it been breaking into the scene and what’s been your biggest triumph and your biggest challenge so far?

Kahnti: Breaking in hasn’t been easy, especially starting later in life, but it’s been worth every step. My biggest triumph has been staying true to my purpose and creating from the heart. I love producing because it allows me to be creative, and I’m creative by nature. It gives me space to express who I am, to release what’s within me, and to share the gifts I’ve been given with the world. Starting later in life came with its own challenges – walking into a scene that often celebrates youth and fast success. But I’ve learned to see that as one of my greatest strengths. My life experience gives my music depth, perspective, and purpose. I’ve come to understand energy and timing in a different way now. Growth takes patience, and I’m learning to let things unfold naturally. My biggest challenge has been perseverance and learning to trust the process and the gift, especially in those moments when it feels uncertain. There have been times I’ve felt like giving up or moving on when things didn’t seem to be progressing. But I’m learning to look past that and stay grounded in faith and purpose. When you trust your gift and keep showing up, everything eventually falls into place.

f: What’s your favourite piece of studio kit?

Kahnti: I’ve really grown to love working in FL Studio. My background in coding actually helps, there are so many similarities with building patterns, layering, and creating flow. It feels like programming energy into sound. But I also love my microphone. I love when inspiration hits and I can add my vocals to a track – it’s pure fun and reminds me that the voice has no boundaries when it comes to emotion and creativity.

f: And finally, please tell us about your One Love – The Power of Music Initiative and what you do?

Kahnti: ‘One Love – The Power of Music Initiative’ is my nonprofit where I use music and movement to support healing, connection, and community. We create events and experiences that bring people together from autism awareness festivals and mental-health–focused gatherings to holiday community drives and music-based workshops. As the founder, I help set the creative direction, curate the music, and work alongside our team to bring in other DJs, performers, partners, and sponsors. Together, we organize events, collaborate with the community, and create spaces where people feel seen, supported, and inspired. At its core, One Love is about showing how powerful music can be, not just on the dancefloor, but in people’s lives.

Kahnti ‘One Love’ Album is out now unquantize.
Traxsource One Love