ÖWNBOSS continues to ride high as one of Brazil’s most streamed DJs, with over 6 million monthly listeners on Spotify and more than 5 billion global streams to date. Best known for his breakout hit Move Your Body ranked as the 4th most played track of the year on 1001Tracklists and featured in the EA Sports Formula 1 soundtrack. Recently listed as one of Tomorrowland’s Top 20 Artists to Watch, his genre-crossing sound has seen him release on major labels like Monstercat, Spinnin’ Records, Armada, and Tomorrowland Music, while performing on the world’s biggest stages, including Tomorrowland, Rock in Rio, Lollapalooza, Airbeat One, and Pacha Ibiza.
Interview with ÖWNBOSS
Hello Eduardo, Congrats on your new single. What’s the story behind “She Wanna Dance”?
Thank you, “She Wanna Dance” started as a fun idea in the studio with Mello.kids, Jan Barg, and Pat. We wanted to create something fresh, catchy, and that made people move from the very first drop. The vocal had this raw, playful energy, we just followed that vibe. It was a really natural process, and we had a blast making it.
What do you want people to feel when they hear “She Wanna Dance” for the first time?
Freedom. That urge to just let go and dance, wherever you are, in the club, in your room, in the car. I want people to feel confident, alive, and fully in the moment.
What’s your summer anthem (besides your own track, of course)?
Two tracks I’ve been obsessed with lately, “Won’t Be Possible” by Tiësto, Odd Mob & Goodboys, and “Hyper” by Genesi. Both bring insane energy to the dance floor in totally different ways, one is a vocal-driven banger, the other is pure underground fire. Been on heavy rotation in my sets this summer.
You’ve reached massive success, but was there a moment when you almost gave up?
Yeah, for sure. Ironically, the hardest moment in my life happened right when I released “Move Your Body”. On the outside, everything looked perfect, the track was blowing up globally, but inside, I was going through a deep depression. It took me about a year to fully heal. People who’ve followed me for a while probably remember that phase, I even dyed my hair during that time, trying to process everything I was feeling.
Before that, I had already faced years of grinding, self-doubt, and rejection, so when success finally came, I thought I’d feel complete. But it forced me to look inward instead. I learned a lot from that period. It wasn’t easy, but I’m honestly really grateful now. That phase shaped who I am today, stronger, more grounded, and genuinely happy.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in your career?
“Don’t rush the process.” Success takes time, and when it comes fast, it can disappear just as fast. Staying grounded and consistent is what keeps you in the game long-term.
What’s one goal you’ve set for yourself that you haven’t achieved yet?
Two, actually. One is reaching number 1 on the Billboard charts, that would be a huge milestone. The other is winning a Grammy. Not just for the trophy, but because it represents global recognition and breaking boundaries with electronic music. I’m working hard every day to make both happen.
Favorite place in Brazil to escape to when you’re not working?
Florianópolis, no doubt. It’s my hometown, and still the place where I feel most connected and recharged. Nature, beaches, great food, good people, it has everything.
But beyond being a beautiful place to relax, Floripa was essential to me becoming a DJ and producer. I grew up going to iconic clubs like Pacha, Terraza which was a legendary underground spot, P12 during the summer when the biggest international names would come through, and Posh where I watched legends like Dennis Ferrer. I even saw Armin van Buuren and Tiësto at the White Sensation party at Stage, moments that really shaped my love for electronic music.
And just an hour from the city, there’s Green Valley, which has been named Best Club in the World multiple times. I saw Carl Cox play a long, unforgettable set there. There’s also Warung Beach Club, another legendary spot, where I saw Deep Dish in 2007 and Solomun in 2012. Those experiences left a mark on me. So yeah, it’s not just my favorite place to escape to, it’s where it all started.
How does ÖWNBOSS keep the fire alive in such a fast-moving, competitive industry?
I stay curious. I’m always looking for new sounds, fresh ideas, and ways to evolve creatively. Surrounding myself with talented and passionate people also keeps me inspired and sharp. But above all, I just really love what I do, and that passion is what fuels everything.
