The shape of sound to come
The shape of sound to come
About Kenny D & Soundshapes Productions
The Journey from bass player to Digital Pioneer
From playing drums and bass guitar in funk and reggae bands to becoming a pioneering force in electronic music production, Kenneth Doekhie (Kenny D) has always been driven by curiosity and the endless possibilities of sound.
The Early Years: From Bands to Bytes
Kenny D’s musical journey began behind the drum kit and bass guitar, playing in various bands across the Netherlands. But it was a studio engineering course in Hilversum that opened his eyes to the technical side of music creation. “I became a producer because the possibilities were there,” Kenny reflects. “Using an Atari computer with Cubase, then digital recording and samplers – we became pioneers.”
Those early days were hands-on in every sense. Kenny was building all the studio computers from scratch, mastering both the creative and technical aspects that would define his career. What started at home eventually expanded to professional studios like Ace Records and Cruise Control, where the Soundshapes sound began to take shape.
The Birth of Soundshapes (1997)
Founded in 1997, Soundshapes Productions emerged from Kenny’s vision of creative freedom and sonic exploration. While he can’t recall exactly how the name “Soundshapes” came to him, it perfectly captures the essence of what the company represents – molding and shaping sound into new forms and possibilities.
From the beginning, Soundshapes was about more than just one genre. Kenny’s background in funk and reggae (he played in both funk and reggae bands) influenced the groove-heavy foundation that would become a signature element, even in the electronic realm.
The Jaimy Partnership: Creative Chemistry
The Jaimy Partnership: Creative Chemistry
The legendary Jaimy & Kenny D partnership began at Ace Records, where Kenny met Dennis Buné (Jaimy). Together, they worked with a diverse roster of artists including Juan Wells, Victoria Wilson James, Hans Dulfer, and Michelle Davids.
Beyond the partnership, Kenny’s solo work demonstrated his versatility across genres, including handling the arrangement and finishing touches for Dutch hip-hop legend Extince’s 20th anniversary album and creating “The History of Hardcore” with DJ Dano for Sony – a prestigious project documenting the cultural significance and evolution of hardcore music history.
While Kenny’s earlier work had explored funk and reggae with other collaborators, the Jaimy & Kenny D partnership focused specifically on house and electronic music. “We found out it was easier to get a project done if there are not too many people involved,” Kenny explains. This focused creative partnership would produce international hits and establish Soundshapes as a global force in electronic dance music.
AI: The Next Frontier
Always curious about new techniques, Kenny D sees AI as the latest evolution in music production tools. “I see AI just as another tool,” he explains. “It will never replace musicians since you need the experience and trained ears to make good music. It will always be a tool, just like samplers in the old days – some people in the industry used to hate them, but now nobody knows better.”
This perspective – embracing new technology while respecting the fundamental role of human creativity – defines Soundshapes’ approach to the future of music production.
Beyond the Studio
When he’s not shaping sounds, Kenny D is exploring the world – literally. A certified paraglider and scuba diver, he brings the same adventurous spirit to his hobbies as he does to music. Traveling feeds his creativity, exposing him to new cultures and sounds that influence his work.
“My goal is to explore different music genres,” Kenny shares. “We became famous for house/dance music, and then it’s hard for your audience to bring something else – but that’s what I want to do now.” This drive to push boundaries and explore new territories continues to fuel Soundshapes’ evolution.
The Vision Forward
After 25+ years in the industry, from building studio computers by hand to embracing AI collaboration, Kenny D remains as passionate about musical exploration as ever. Soundshapes Productions continues to evolve, bridging the gap between legendary dance music heritage and cutting-edge creative possibilities.
The journey from drummer to digital pioneer to AI collaborator represents more than just technological evolution – it’s a testament to the power of curiosity, creativity, and the endless possibilities that emerge when human experience meets innovative tools.
The shape of sound continues to evolve, and Kenny D is still shaping it.