BOYCA: Sex, Techno and the Radical Pulse of Berlin Underground
Boyca by Darren Black
Berlin-based DJ and producer Boyca is not interested in playing safe. Deeply rooted in queer nightlife and fetish culture, his world exists where hardgroove techno, leather, sexual freedom, and radical self-expression collide. As part of the GEGEN collective, Boyca has built a reputation for high-intensity sets and an uncompromising vision shaped by Berlin’s underground energy. In this exclusive GayWoof interview, he opens up about kink, queer safe spaces, nightlife politics, and why sex, rebellion, and techno remain inseparable forces on the dancefloor.
You’ve built a strong identity as Boyca within the Berlin techno scene — how did that identity first emerge, and what does it represent for you today?
The identity of Boyca grew out of a character trait that has defined me since childhood. I don't do things halfway. Even as a kid, whenever I loved something, I had to take it to the absolute extreme. I've always been the type of person who would run through a brick wall ten times over, even if everyone told me to stop-just because I needed to find out for myself if it was the right path.
To be honest, that drive for the extreme has knocked me off track a few times in the past. But ultimately, it has brought more positivity into my life than negativity, because it gave me the courage to act without overthinking.
Boyca by Murat Turgut
For me, Boyca is the culmination of years of pushing boundaries. It started with questioning conventions and evolved into a persona that merges raw energy, sexual freedom, and uncompromising sound.
Today, Boyca represents that unfiltered, raw energy. It's a testament to trusting your instincts and having the guts to go where others are afraid to step. It's proof that you are at your most powerful when you refuse to be cautious or or tick just a single box.
How would you define your sound as Boyca, and what direction have your latest releases taken you in creatively?
I define my sound as a mix of jacking, sexy, and uncompromising rhythms with a heavy hardgroove influence-a vibe you can definitely hear in my latest release „Hornysha“ which came out on the record label ...is serving
Boyca by Jay Amun
I never start a track with a fixed idea. I prefer to go with the flow and see where the energy takes me. One thing l've always loved and integrated into my work are evil vocals. I've always been inspired by how other producers use them to create tension, and I love bringing that dark edge to my sound.
Most of my creativity is fueled directly by the dancefloor and the nights spent out with friends. Even the titles of my tracks are a product of those friendships. I usually name them based on inside jokes or the playful insults we throw at each other. I love that approach because it creates a lasting connection to the good times we've shared-it makes the music feel personal and alive.
Your sound and presence are closely tied to the Berlin underground — what elements of that city still shape your artistic direction the most?
Berlin's nightlife is an endless source of inspiration for me-it's the pulse of the city. What shapes me most is that unique, mystical atmosphere you only find here at night. It's a vibe that feels both raw and liberating, and it's deeply connected to the roots of techno.
But more than just the music, it's the unapologetic spirit of the queer community that defines my direction. In Berlin, I don't just exist, I thrive in being exactly who l am. That freedom to be extreme and to live without compromise is built into the city's DNA, and it's what allows me to push the boundaries of my sound. Berlin gave me the space to find Boyca, and that energy flows into every track produce and every set | play.
As part of the GEGEN collective, your work exists at the intersection of music, kink culture, and political expression — how do those worlds naturally come together for you?
For me, the intersection of music, kink, and politics isn't a theoretical concept, it’s the only way I know how to exist. My entire life has been a process of transgression. I’ve never felt at home within the boundaries society set for me.
At GEGEN, these worlds converge organically because they all share one goal, the dismantling of limitations:
Music is the engine that dissolves physical boundaries
Kink is the tool we use to push the limits of shame, pleasure, and social norms
And the Politics behind it is the radical refusal to conform
When we enter these spaces, we leave the binary codes of the outside world behind. It's not just about escapism, it's a direct confrontation with the self. We use the club to consistently cross the lines of what a body is 'allowed' to do, feel, or represent. To me, this isn't just a performance-it's a necessity. I've always lived on the edge of those lines, and GEGEN is where that transgression becomes a collective power.
GEGEN has become known not just as a party, but as a global queer space for radical expression — what does “safe space” mean to you in that context?
For me, a safe space is a sanctuary where | can fully express myself-my outfits, my fetishes, my kinks, and my sexuality-within the queer community, free from judgment or shame. It's a place where all kinds of queer identities converge to celebrate a freedom that the outside world rarely allows, especially when it comes to wearing fetish gear or different styles with pride.
“We are here to break boundaries, not to blend in”
GEGEN, in particular, is a space strictly reserved for those brave enough to step outside the random and boring constraints of what we call normal society. It's about commitment. If you're not even willing to take your shirt off to contribute to the energy of the room, then a radical space like GEGEN simply isn't for you. We are here to break boundaries, not to blend in. Sex is a vital part of this expression, and l am incredibly grateful that spaces like this exist to protect our right to be extreme.
You’ve performed across different continents, including a recent Asia tour — how did audiences and club culture there compare to what you experience in Europe?
There are major differences. For example, in Germany, being naked is legally allowed even on the streets, and in most Berlin clubs, you can be shirtless, wear fetish gear, walk around completely naked, or use darkrooms and unisex toilets freely. This level of freedom makes Berlin incredibly unique, and I’m deeply grateful to live in a place where these things are so naturally accepted.
In Asia, it really depends on the country and the club. In some places, visually expressing your sexuality or having sex in the club is allowed, while in others, it’s strictly forbidden. Yet, even under strict regulations where specific dress codes are enforced just to host a queer/fetish party, people still kiss on the dancefloor and have sex anyway, they just don’t give a fuck. That defiance makes the community even stronger. Because of this, it is incredibly important to me to connect with the local queer scenes there, to help hold space for them, and hopefully push the world in a more progressive direction.
Looking ahead to your upcoming LATAM tour, what are you most curious or excited to reconnect with in that region?
I honestly can't wait to get back to Latin America. It's my favorite region in the world. The mindset there is so incredibly open and vibrant, especially when it comes to being out and proud as a gay man and playing for such a liberated crowd.
I'm particularly excited to explore countries l've never visited before, like Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Paraguay. But of course, my heart always beats a little faster for Brazil. It's my absolute favorite place to visit and vacation.
This time, I finally get to play in São Paulo for GEGEN. Bringing that specific energy to Brazil is going to be absolute chaos in the best possible way. We're talking high-energy, raw sex appeal, and pure madness on the dancefloor. Woooof! I'm ready for it.
Across different scenes worldwide, queer nightlife can vary dramatically — how do you see the role of queer safe spaces globally, and why is it important to preserve radical, inclusive environments internationally?
Globally, queer safe spaces are much more than just a place to party-they are territories of resistance. As l've said, for me, a safe space is where we shed the boring norms of society and express our kinks and sexuality without shame. But internationally, these spaces act as vital laboratories for freedom.
“We are preserving the right to be extreme and authentic in a world that constantly tries to tone us down”
In many parts of the world, people don't have the luxury of a space like GEGEN. They spend their lives hitting brick walls. That's why preserving radical, inclusive environments is so important. They serve as a blueprint for what a truly free society looks like. We need these international sanctuaries to show that another way of living is possible-one where you don't have to hide who you are or what you wear.
If we lose these radical environments, we lose the spark of rebellion. By keeping these spaces uncompromising and strictly for those who are willing to break out of „normalcy“ we protect the essence of our community. We are not just preserving a dancefloor, we are preserving the right to be extreme and authentic in a world that constantly tries to tone us down.
There is a strong political undertone in much of the queer underground scene — do you see your role more as a DJ, a curator, or something closer to a cultural voice?
First and foremost, I see myself as a music lover, DJ, and producer. For me, music is a deeply emotional language. It's what makes me feel alive and fuels my love for life. I don't necessarily start my creative process with a political manifesto, I start with a feeling.
However, I absolutely see myself as a curator of energy. Techno was born from the need for sanctuary, a space created by marginalized people, specifically Black, Queer, and Trans communities, who needed a place to be themselves. By curating a vibe that is uncompromising and raw, l am inherently taking a stance. When I play, I'm creating a space where skin color, origin, or gender identity don't matter-where the only thing that counts is the freedom to dance until the sun comes up. So, while my tools are beats and rhythms, the result is a cultural space that protects our community. In that sense, being a DJ and a curator are two sides of the same coin.
How do you personally navigate the balance between intense nightlife energy and staying grounded in your everyday life in Berlin?
Staying grounded in a city like Berlin requires a solid foundation, and forme, that is heavy weight training. It's where I channel my intensity and push my physical limits every single day. But it's not a solo journey, I have a very close circle of friends that I train with constantly. We push each other in the gym, and then they are the same people standing front row when I'm behind the decks.
Having them by my side in both worlds is what keeps me from getting lost. They see the sweat in the gym and the energy in the club, but they also know the person behind the 'Boyca' name. They are my reality check. Spending time with them-whether we are lifting weights or sharing a joke at a party-is what keeps my feet on the ground. For me, balance isn't about doing less, it's about surrounding myself with the right people who ensure that I never lose my core, no matter how extreme the environment gets.
Your sets are often described as physically immersive and high-intensity — what kind of connection are you aiming to build between yourself and the crowd in those moments?
When I'm behind the decks, I'm not just looking for people to dance, i’m looking for a total physical takeover. My goal is to create a connection so intense that the barrier between me and the crowd completely disappears. I want us to break through that 'wall' together.
Because I live my life in extremes, I bring that same all-in energy to my sets. I want the crowd to feel the bass not just in their ears, but in their chest and their blood. It's about reaching a point of collective exhaustion and ecstasy where nobody is overthinking anymore. We are just bodies in a room, reclaiming our freedom through rhythm and sweat.
For me, the perfect set is when we've all pushed past our boundaries and come out on the other side feeling more alive than ever.
Looking forward, how is the Boyca project evolving — and what kind of impact do you hope your work leaves on the global queer techno community?
The Boyca project is moving forward with full velocity.
I'm constantly producing new tracks, and I honestly can't wait to keep blasting my sound across the globe. While my roots and my heart are in the gay/queer underground, my goal is to take this energy everywhere.
I want to showcase my vision of jacking, hardgrooving and uncompromising techno in all kinds of spaces, reaching people far beyond just the queer community. I believe that the raw, sexy energy I bring has a universal power. Ultimately, I hope the impact I leave is one of courage.
I want to inspire people-no matter who they are-to trust their instincts, to be extreme, and to have the guts to break through their own walls. I want the Boyca legacy to be about more than just music, it's about a lifestyle of radical honesty and pure, high-intensity freedom that resonates on every dancefloor, anywhere in the world.
