An ode to Peggy Gou

July 6, 2023

You may know Peggy Gou from her hit tracks like ‘(It goes like) Nanana’ and ‘Starry Night’. But, besides being a DJ she is also a music producer with her own music label, a vocalist and a fashion designer with a label previously supported by Virgil Abloh! In a small period of time, Peggy Gou has been taking over the world. Which is why we thought it would be a good idea to elaborate on her journey and all the good things to come, like her new album which is coming out soon!

Where it all started

Peggy Gou, born in South Korea in 1991, began her musical career by studying classical piano at an early age. When she was 14, she moved to London to do a minor. After her minor, she went back to South-Korea, whereafter she moved back to London only a few years later to study fashion. Whilst in London, she befriended the owner of a club in Soho, who asked her to play a set there. This led to her playing a set every weekend at The Book Club in East London and spending her free time getting better and better. After she finished her school, she immediately moved to Berlin, where she was the supporting act of names like The Black Madonna and DJ Koze, whereafter she began playing her own gigs. Later, she started releasing her first records and spent her free Sundays at Berghain. “Before I was a DJ, I was a raver’’ she told The Guardian in an interview in 2019.

An eye for fashion

In addition to her musical success, Peggy Gou has successfully established herself in the fashion industry. Her contributions have been recognized through collaborations with diverse fashion brands, while big magazines such as Vogue have featured her prominently. Peggy Gou’s personal style is characterized by a blend of streetwear influences and an unapologetic embrace of vibrant and daring aesthetics. For example her signature statement black cat-eye sunglasses.

At the beginning of her DJ career, she wore all black outfits to her gigs. Since this is an unwritten rule in the scene, she thought it was a good way to show that she knew what she was doing. Luckily, she has now embraced her fashion background and is seen in all kinds of different outfits. This eventually resulted in her being spotted by Virgil Abloh, who then went on to be the supporter of Gou’s very own fashion brand ‘Kirin’.

Her own label: GUdu

Peggy Gou is known for her eclectic sets in which she surprises people by cleverly mixing different genres together unlike anyone else. Within these genres you will find a range between disco, house and techno. Her track ‘It makes you forget (Itgehane)’ was her singing debut, which is now always recognized and sung by thousands of people trying their best on the Korean lyrics. Peggy has also founded her own label, making it possible to independently release her own music, starting with ‘Starry Night’. Now she wants to give starting artists better chances than she had when she first began in the industry and look for new unique sounds.

With Peggy Gou being the first female artist to have played Berghain, she believes now is a good opportunity for women in the scene to chase their dreams. Since there’s been a big improvement in equality for female representation in the DJ scene. She acknowledges that we are not there yet, but the discussions about this are making it better everyday. Through her label, Peggy Gou showcases her artistic vision and contributes to the growth and development of the electronic music industry.

gou-mania

After Peggy Gou gained recognition as a producer and vocalist in 2018, her fans’ excitement reached new heights, resulting in ‘Gou-mania.’ During this time, her devoted followers expressed their love and support in various ways.One heartwarming aspect of Gou-mania was the thoughtful gifts from fans. Knowing Peggy Gou’s fondness for giraffes, her favorite animals, fans started giving her giraffe stuffed animals. Gou-mania also made its mark online. An Instagram account called @peggystshirts became popular, providing a space for fans to showcase their creativity. They designed custom t-shirts inspired by Peggy Gou, featuring clever slogans like ‘Just Gou It’ and ‘Goucci Gang’. Gou-mania is a testament to the impact Peggy Gou has had on her fans’ lives and the bond they share with her, a phenomenon which is rare in the EDM-scene. It serves as a vibrant celebration of her talent and the genuine connection she has fostered with her dedicated following.

International success became cultural impact

Her unique mixing style and iconic releases, which she sometimes even brands as ‘K-house’, have led her to play all over the world. From Glastonbury to Coachella, people come to see her. She has even created her own festival in London which she named ‘Pleasure Gardens’. Here, she invites an impressive lineup of artists and friends who best represent her style and vision.

Furthermore, Peggy Gou’s accomplishments have also had a profound cultural impact, specifically in promoting the representation of Asian artists within the electronic music industry. Serving as a source of inspiration, she has become a role model for aspiring musicians and DJs, particularly those coming from underrepresented backgrounds. Through her journey, she demonstrates that relentless dedication and talent can indeed pave the way for global recognition.