{{Short description|Israeli EDM project}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Skazi | image = | caption = | native_name = סקאזי | image_size = | native_name_lang = he | alias = | origin = Jerusalem, Israel | genre = Electronic, psytrance, dubstep, house, industrial, electronic rock | years_active = 1998–present | label = Chemical Crew | website = [http://www.skazimusic.com www.skazimusic.com] | current_members = Asher Swissa | past_members = Assaf Bivas }}
'''Skazi''' ({{Langx|he|סקאזי}}) is an Israeli EDM project formed in 1998, by Asher Swissa.
==History== Skazi was formed in 1998 by Asher Swissa and Assaf Bivas, producing Psy-Trance Electro Punk music.
Swissa began his musical career as a punk rocker in 1990, when he formed a group called Sartan Hashad (en. Breast Cancer) together with three friends. The band played in small venues in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and enjoyed limited success in the Israeli punk scene. In 1996 Asher left the band to develop his career and to write and perform music which would appeal to larger audiences. He started making trance music, but still kept a hard rock sound, playing electric guitar riffs in many of his tracks. In 1998 he adopted the stage name DJ Skazi.<ref>Yoram Bar, [http://www.rockbar.co.il/home.rock/article/394 Review of Sratan Hashad Concert], ''Kol Ha'ir'' 26 February 1993 (Hebrew)</ref><ref>{{Citation | title = DJ Skazi – Profile | url = http://www.facebook.com/skazimusic | publisher = Progressive Trance Network | accessdate = 2010-06-08 }}</ref> Swissa is also a former member of WARRIORS, a musical group in collaboration with DJ MR.BLACK and which published one EP, ''Who's Afraid of 138!?'', with Armada Music.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://partyflock.nl/en/artist/90417:Mr-Black|title=MR.BLACK on partyflock|website=partyflock|accessdate=2022-05-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://weraveyou.com/2017/01/warriors-warriors-ep-armada/|title=Armin van Buuren signs MR.BLACK & Skazi's "Warriors" debut EP to Armada {{!}} We Rave You|website=We Rave You.com|accessdate=2022-05-05}}</ref> In more recent years, Skazi is at times referred to with his real name, Asher Swissa, often stylised as ASHER SWISSA.
==Recording career== right|150px|Official Skazi logo Skazi's first album, ''Animal'', was released in September 2000. On this album Skazi combined live guitar riffs and techy hardcore sounds. While the music meshed with other Psy-Trance, it shared elements of Hard House and Techno record label, Chemical Crew.<ref>{{Citation | title = Album review – Most Wanted Presents DJ Skazi – ?????? | url = http://www.saikosounds.com/English/display_release.asp?id=3786 | date = 14 November 2003 | publisher = Saiko Sounds Catalog | accessdate = 2010-06-08 }}</ref>
Skazi produced four compilations between the years 2001 and 2004 (''Zoo1'', ''Zoo2'', ''Zoo3'' and ''Most Wanted''). Skazi has also been involved in collaborations with other artists.<ref>{{Citation |title = Rock That Trance – Interview with Skazi |url = http://www.rollingstone-india.com/electrobuzz/articledetails.php?articleid=10 |date = 2008-11-01 |magazine = Rolling Stone |author1 = DJ 26 Bryan aka Stomp |accessdate = 2010-06-08 }}{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
==Controversy== During the ongoing Gaza war which started in 2023, Skazi has been vocal in his support of Israeli troops and hostages held in Gaza.
In early November 2023, Skazi participated in a video produced as "psychological warfare against Gazans and Hamas" which stated "we will return to dance on the ruins of your houses in Gaza".<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2, 2023 |title="נשוב לרקוד על הריסות הבתים שלכם בעזה": הסרטון שהימם את ראשי חמאס |url=https://www.maariv.co.il/news/viral/article-1049297 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008075936/https://www.maariv.co.il/news/viral/article-1049297 |archive-date=October 8, 2024 |access-date=July 27, 2025 |website=Maariv Online}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Halperin |first=Yaniv |date=November 2, 2023 |title=DJ סקאזי רוצה להעביר מסר למחבלי החמאס – בסייבר |url=https://www.pc.co.il/featured/397216/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325080107/https://www.pc.co.il/featured/397216/ |archive-date=March 25, 2024 |access-date=July 27, 2025 |website=אנשים ומחשבים}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2, 2023 |title=הסרטון שהכניס את חמאס לפאניקה |url=https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=983331089435603 |access-date=July 27, 2025 |website=the shadow (הצל) Facebook page}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2, 2023 |title=אהלן וסהלן יא עזה |url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzJCxT8OaS2/ |access-date=July 27, 2025 |website=flash_news_il Instagram page}}</ref> The video was created by "The Civil Front" (''"Hachazit Haezrahit"''), a self-proclaimed "apolitical" initiative calling to "completely annihilate Hamas and Islamic Jihad" and giving free rein to Israel and the IDF in Gaza.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 29, 2024 |title=תנועת החזית האזרחית |url=https://www.hachazit.co.il/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129051230/https://www.hachazit.co.il/ |archive-date=November 29, 2023 |access-date=July 27, 2025 |website=החזית האזרחית}}</ref>
On 28 November 2023, together with four other Israeli DJs, Skazi performed a set during a memorial at the site of the Re'im music festival massacre, where 364 concertgoers were killed and 36 taken hostage by Hamas.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Beardsley |first1=Eleanor |date=2023-11-28 |title=Israel holds memorial at the music festival site where Hamas killed 364 people |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/11/28/1215697613/israel-holds-memorial-at-the-music-festival-site-where-hamas-killed-364-people |access-date=1 December 2023 |publisher=NPR}}</ref>
Skazi has performed for Israeli soldiers before they entered Gaza, with the intention of contributing to the war effort and raising combatants' morale and motivation to fight.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eitan |first=Itzchak |date=18 September 2024 |title=סקאזי: "הופעתי בפני חיילים רגע לפני שהם מתו, זה רודף אותי" |url=https://www.hidabroot.org/article/1200832 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241011080954/https://www.hidabroot.org/article/1200832 |archive-date=11 October 2024 |access-date=27 July 2025 |website=הידברות}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Masoury |first=Elad |date=19 December 2023 |title=מי שלא אוהב אותנו - אני גם ככה לא רוצה להופיע עבורו |url=https://www.hebrewnews.com/article/57739 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250727124737/https://www.hebrewnews.com/article/57739 |archive-date=27 July 2025 |access-date=27 July 2025 |website=Hebrew News}}</ref>
In July 2024, Skazi dedicated a set at Tomorrowland festival to Israeli troops and hostages, while displaying an Israeli flag on stage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zohar |first=Tzalach |date=21 July 2024 |title=מול אלפים בטומורולנד: סקאזי מקדיש את הסט ללוחמי צה"ל ולחטופים |url=https://www.mako.co.il/music-news/Article-45ae69d4796d091026.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250704000626/https://www.mako.co.il/music-news/Article-45ae69d4796d091026.htm |archive-date=July 4, 2025 |access-date=July 27, 2025 |website=Mako}}</ref>
In July 2025, a controversy arose regarding plans for Skazi to perform again at Tomorrowland.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=26 July 2025 |title=Israeli DJ Skazi cancels gig at Tomorrowland amid controversy |url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/1679343/tomorrowland-to-keeps-israeli-dj-skazi-despite-controversy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250727081004/https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium/1679343/tomorrowland-to-keeps-israeli-dj-skazi-despite-controversy |archive-date=27 July 2025 |access-date=27 July 2025 |website=The Brussels Times}}</ref> It has been mentioned that Skazi calls himself a "Combat DJ" who motivates soldiers before they go into battle in Gaza.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Struys |first=Bruno |date=26 July 2025 |title=Israëlische 'gevechts-dj' Skazi annuleert optreden op Tomorrowland na controverse |url=https://www.demorgen.be/snelnieuws/israelische-gevechts-dj-skazi-annuleert-optreden-op-tomorrowland-na-controverse~b69670f9/?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ecosia.org%2F |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250727080008/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://www.demorgen.be/snelnieuws/israelische-gevechts-dj-skazi-annuleert-optreden-op-tomorrowland-na-controverse~b69670f9/ |archive-date=27 July 2025 |access-date=27 July 2025 |website=De Morgen}}</ref> In response to this controversy, Skazi posted on his Instagram page stating "my mission is to bring unity" and calling to "make music not war".<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 July 2025 |title=skazi_asher's post, 27 July 2025 |url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMiX29gNKjr/ |access-date=27 July 2025 |website=Instagram}}</ref> The performance was subsequently cancelled.<ref name=":0" />
==Discography== [[Image:Mucuripe skazi.jpg|thumb|Skazi at a Rave in France]]
=== Albums === * ''Animal'' – 2000 * ''Zoo1'' – 2001 * ''Storm'' (Shaffel Records, 2002) * ''Most Wanted'' – 2003 * ''Zoo2'' – 2003 * ''Zoo3'' – 2004 * ''Animal In Storm'' – 2004 *''Total Anarchy'' (2006) * ''My Way'' – 2012 * ''Zoom in the Mix'' – 2014 * ''PsyScription'' – 2015 * ''Spin'' – 2015 *''Faded'' with Nervo (2019)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2019/11/nervo-recruit-skazi-for-new-take-on-zhus-faded/ |title=Nervo recruit Skazi for new take on Shu's, 'Faded' |author=Dancing Astronaut staff |date=2019-11-13 |website=Dancing Astronaut |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113205136/https://dancingastronaut.com/2019/11/nervo-recruit-skazi-for-new-take-on-zhus-faded/ |archive-date=2019-11-13 |accessdate=2019-11-22}}</ref>
=== (EPs) === * ''The Zoo EP'' – 2004
=== Singles === * "Rhythm Is a Killa" – 2025 * "Run" – 2025 * "Roof on Fire" – 2024 * "Boom" – 2024 * "Alive (Darkland Remix)" – 2024 * "For You (When You're Sad)" – 2024 * "Tumaundu" – 2024 * "Mental Voice" – 2024 * "Closer Enemy" – 2023 * "I Wish (Skazi Edit)" – 2023 * "Im Nin'Alu (Skazi Remix)" – 2023 * "Tandava / Durga" – 2023 * "Na Le (Asher Swissa Remix)" – 2023 * "Tomorrow" – 2023 * "Stay" – 2023 * "Carmen" – 2022 * "I Am Back" – 2022 * "Deva Mahadeva" – 2022 * "Buzzing" – 2022 * "World Ends" – 2022 * "Macarena Baladeira" – 2021 * "Breathless" – 2021 * "Warrior (Gottinari Remix)" – 2021 * "The Drum (Aura Vortex Remix)" – 2021 * "Hit N' Run (Skazi & TOXIC Remix)" – 2021 * "Jump! Remixes" – 2021 * "Break You" – 2021 * "Stadium" – 2021 * "Kataleya" – 2021 * "Haunted House" – 2020 * "Way Down" – 2020 * "Imensidão" – 2020 * "Heart on the Tree" – 2020 * "Caliente" – 2020 * "Ayy Muchacho" – 2020 * "Faded (HVRCRFT Remix)" – 2020 * "Faded (HVRCRFT Extended Remix)" – 2020 * "I Love Haters" – 2020 * "Carnival" – 2020 * "Artillery (PSY Mix)" – 2019 * "Faded" – 2019 * "Artillery" – 2019 * "Do It" – 2019 * "Aman" – 2019 * "Story" – 2019 * "Karate" – 2019 * "Party Don’t Stop" – 2019 * "Breeze" – 2018 * "Falafel (Moto Perpetuo & Blazy Remix)" – 2018 * "Tappez Les Mains" – 2018 * "Opa" – 2018 * "The Seventies Track" – 2018 * "He Hi" – 2018 * "India" – 2017 * "Jump!" – 2017 * "Acelera (Blastoyz Remix)" – 2017 * "Drop The Pill" – 2015 * "Psycription" – 2015 * "Poison" – 2014
==References== {{Reflist}}
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Category:Israeli psychedelic trance musicians Category:Israeli electronic music groups Category:Trance music groups Category:Israeli trance musicians