5 Facts / 5 Tracks: Yousef
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Few names in UK house music carry the kind of weight that Yousef does. With more than three decades spent at the forefront of the global electronic music scene, the Liverpool-born DJ and producer has built a legacy that spans seminal labels including Crosstown Rebels, Desolat, Cocoon, Moon Harbour, Defected and his own Circus Recordings, an imprint responsible for releasing music from the likes of Carl Cox, Kerri Chandler, Green Velvet and Jamie Jones. In 2025, Yousef delivered his fifth artist album, ‘I Operate in Purple’, widely regarded as his most vibrant and accomplished body of work to date.
Central to the album is his ongoing collaboration with Brighton vocal trio Kuuda, a three-piece collective made up of producer-songwriter-vocalists Charlie, Maeve and Ollie. Drawing on backgrounds that stretch from progressive and Afro house through to jackin house and emotive breakbeat, Kuuda have quickly established themselves as one of the more exciting acts emerging from the UK’s underground. Collaborations with Franky Wah, Hot Since 82, Sam Divine and BLOND:ISH have followed, with their Hot Since 82 cut ‘ALIVE’ picking up BBC Radio 1 support from both Pete Tong and Danny Howard.
Together, Yousef and Kuuda have now released three vocal records. Following ‘Loving is Living’ and ‘Higher Place’, their latest, ‘Love and Hope’, arrives as the deepest and most emotionally direct of the three. Built around Kuuda’s emotive vocals, the track moves through themes of heartbreak and the enduring power of belief, all underpinned by Yousef’s characteristic 90s house craftsmanship. The package is completed by a remix from Greek tech house producer Red Weeller, who brings a harder, late-night edge to proceedings.
We recently caught up with Yousef for 5 tracks and 5 facts…
5 Tracks
1. The Pointer Sisters – Don’t It Drive You Crazy
Just a shining example of how music can be, the time, the effort it takes to make something so glorious and accomplished is an art 2026 often under achieves. Pure funk and soul and cinema. Excellence.
2. Nirvana – Something In The Way
Taken from one of the most significant debut albums in history, a creepy cinematic ride that used to get me through dark post-rave nights as a mid to late teen…
3. Lauren Hill – Everything Is Everything
Again, one of the best debut albums and then best albums of all time, each word is ingrained into my soul. My ex-girlfriend Naomi, who was Japanese Dutch Canadian, would blast the thing in our flat in London while rapping every word in perfect sync. A perfect example of why small, flippant moments are the good things in life.
4 Pink Floyd – Dark Side Of The Moon album
My early teen self would listen to the entire album before bed each night while my brother snored in his bed across the other side of my room. I’d have a pile of shoes to throw at him so he’d STFU so I could enjoy trying to get Gilmour to help me unravel my teen confusion.
5. The Believers – Who Dares To Believe In Me
Peak house music excellence that has not really been surpassed; this is up there with ‘Knights of the Jaguar’ for timeless perfection. A track that’s never left my box, and when I can, I’ll drop it and just let it play from beginning to end. These days, without a hip-hop sample or snare roll, it’s hard to avoid it washing over some audiences. Just pure house music.
5 Facts
1. I’m obsessed with interior design and renovate my home on a perpetual loop, usually moving every 5-7 years, so I can start again. I’m actually due a move!
2. My event company, Circus, was given the task and responsibility to help reopen music (or any) events after COVID. We successfully held two 3000-cap test events, which paved the way back to normality.
3. A few years ago, Prince William invited me for a 45-minute Zoom call to help me with a campaign supporting people in the music industry who needed economic help.
4. My last real job was working as an assistant buyer for the children’s clothing section at Littlewoods Home Shopping; I left in 1998.
5. I ran the London Marathon for the charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) to help suicidal men. My efforts generated enough money to keep the entire charity operating for a month.
Yousef & Kuuda ‘Love And Hope’ (Incl. Red Weeller Remix) is out now on Circus Recordings. Grab it here!
