Henrique Janelli

Henrique Janelli
Nationality	Brazilian
Origin	Brazil
Genre	Progressive psytrance; psychedelic electronic
Known for	Psychedelic electronic innovation
Occupation	Musician; record producer
Movement	Psychedelic trance
Field	Electronic music production

Henrique Janelli (stage name Blazy) is a Brazilian electronic music producer and DJ known for his work in progressive psytrance (psychedelic trance) music. Rising to prominence in the late 2010s, Blazy has become one of Brazil’s most listened-to psytrance artists and gained international acclaim for his melodic, trance-influenced style. He achieved several Beatport chart-topping hits and tens of millions of streams within a few years, helping bring Brazilian psytrance to global audiences. Blazy’s tracks often blend hypnotic, “long groove” psytrance rhythms with lush melodies and vocals, reflecting influences from both underground trance and progressive-house scenes.

Early Life and Influences

Blazy was born in the mid-1990s in Pelotas, a city in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. He grew up in a musical household – his parents were rock music fans – but his own musical passion turned toward electronic dance music at an early age. At age eight, he was introduced to psytrance when his brother attended a festival headlined by Israeli psychedelic trance DJ Astrix; the experience left a strong impression and led young Henrique to seek out Astrix’s music. In his early teens he also became interested in progressive house and trance artists, citing tracks like Swedish House Mafia’s “Miami 2 Ibiza” as influential in sparking his curiosity about electronic production.

Self-taught in music production, Blazy began experimenting with software on his computer as a teenager. He has recalled feeling inspired by hearing songs he did not recognize at parties, which motivated him to learn how to produce those sounds himself. In his mid-teens he started producing music seriously – learning software tools and production techniques via online tutorials, and gaining mentorship from local producers. A portrait of his early development is described in interviews: by age 14 he was actively learning to DJ and produce, searching online for “how to be a DJ.” He credits early support from producers like Felippe Senne (owner of the Make Music Now label) who helped release Blazy’s first tracks. In this way, Blazy spent late-teen years honing his craft in Indonesia.

By the mid-2010s, Blazy had begun releasing music on electronic labels, often in the style of hypnotic, melodic trance. He was influenced by both Brazilian and international scenes: he often cites Goa-style and Israeli psytrance (such as Infected Mushroom, Astrix, Vini Vici) as inspirations, in addition to trance and progressive artists beyond psy. His style merges these influences: it incorporates the driving basslines and rhythmic energy of psytrance with the emotional melodies and song structures more common in progressive trance or house.

Career and Major Works

Blazy’s breakthrough came in 2017 with a track that gained global attention. He released a remix of “Tandava,” originally by Ukrainian group Shanti People, working with producer Gottinari. This remix—released as “Tandava (Blazy & Gottinari Remix)”—became a hit on Beatport, the electronic-music platform, reaching #1 on the global psytrance chart. At the time, this achievement made Blazy one of the youngest artists worldwide to top that chart. The success of “Tandava” helped introduce him to DJs and fans internationally, as it quickly became a festival favorite and even charted on Spotify’s Viral 50 (a rare feat for a psytrance track).

Following this initial success, Blazy continued to produce both original tracks and remixes that resonated with the trance community. In mid-2018, he teamed up with long-time collaborator Aura Vortex to release “Interlude”, an original joint single. The atmospheric, melodic track showcased Blazy’s signature blend of dreamy leads and driving beats. It also hit #1 on Beatport’s psytrance chart, staying there for multiple weeks. This cemented Blazy’s reputation as a leading voice in progressive psytrance; he became known for catchy, dancefloor-oriented tracks with rich, psychedelic soundscapes.

Over the next few years Blazy built a string of hits. He released official remixes of popular trance songs that likewise climbed charts. Notably, his 2020 remix of “Makeup” by German producers Neelix & Caroline Harrison (on Spin Twist Records) topped the Beatport psytrance chart in June 2020. A few months later, in December 2020, his remix of “Mama India” by Israel’s Technical Hitch (together with GroundBass & Tijah on Iboga Records) also claimed the #1 spot. Earlier, in early 2020, his collaboration “Dystopia” (with producers Sighter and Basscannon) rose to #1 as well. Other #1 listings included a 2019 remix of “Balikali” (by Israeli duo Undercover) and additional remixes and collaborations. By 2021 Blazy was credited with placing at least six different tracks at the top of Beatport’s global psytrance charts, an unparalleled record for any Brazilian artist in the genre.

Blazy’s debut full-length album The Chase was released in 2024 on Magic Moments Records. It is a concept album weaving mystical themes and trance motifs into its music. All tracks on The Chase broke into the top 10 of the Beatport psytrance releases chart, and the title track “The Chase” became Blazy’s seventh #1 on the Beatport psytrance chart. The album was praised for combining hypnotic grooves with storytelling elements; its overall effect is to create “a universe” of sound that reflects Blazy’s psychedelic vision.

Throughout his career, Blazy has released music on major trance labels, including Alien Records (Brazil’s oldest psy label), Spin Twist, Blue Tunes, Hub Records, and others. He is also an adept collaborator: many of his popular tracks are joint productions. Frequent co-creators include Marcus Henrich (a.k.a. Aura Vortex), Gottinari, Sighter (Bernardo Rasoul), Sevenn, and emerging artists like Durs. He has also co-produced vocal tracks, for example crediting singer Kevin Brauer on his melodic single “Harvest Moon.” In 2023 he and producer Sevenn (Kevin da Silva) released a psychedelic-dance cover of The Neighbourhood’s rock song “Sweater Weather,” adding pulsating synth lines and a pitched-down vocal hook; the track even contains a hidden backward-masked message, reflecting Blazy’s playful studio creativity. Another recent single is “51 Ways,” created with singer-songwriter Durs, which mixes trance beats with R&B and melodic techno elements. These releases demonstrate Blazy’s willingness to blur genre lines and innovate within electronic music.

Blazy has also actively built his brand and audience through social media and streaming platforms. In interviews, he noted that viral SoundCloud previews and playlist features helped accelerate his rise. For example, before its release, the track Interlude amassed nearly a million views from a two-minute preview video. International trance acts such as Vini Vici have supported his music – one of their playlists on Spotify included his track – bringing him into a broader fanbase. Through these media, Blazy’s streaming numbers have soared: he has accumulated on the order of 150 million streams across platforms by 2024, making him arguably the most-listened Brazilian psytrance artist online.

Live performances have been integral to Blazy’s career. He has DJed/clubs and festivals worldwide, often bringing his signature sound to different audiences. Notable appearances include Brazil’s Universo Paralello and XXXperience, Belgium’s Tomorrowland, the Dreamstate festival in the U.S., and Germany’s Indian Spirit. In 2022 he appeared at Rock in Rio on the “New Dance Order” stage, marking one of the first times a psytrance artist headlined a main stage of that massive, mainstream Brazilian festival. (He ended his Rock in Rio set with his rework of RÜFÜS DU SOL’s “Innerbloom,” a moment hailed as bridging underground trance with the wider audience.) He has also played in trance meccas like Israel (Astrix’s homeland) and at Voov, one of Europe’s oldest psytrance festivals. These tours confirm his status as an international act, representing Brazil’s underground sound in major electronic music markets around the world.

Style and Method

Blazy is often described as a progressive psytrance producer, meaning his music emphasizes long, evolving grooves rather than the fast, intense bursts of “full-on” psytrance. Progressive psytrance typically features slower tempo (often around 132–138 BPM), subtle layering, and a focus on melody and atmosphere. In Blazy’s tracks, this translates to songs that build slowly with rich, swirling pad sounds and strong chord progressions. Vocals and piano breaks sometimes appear mid-track (as in “Interlude”), creating emotional high points, before a driving trance drop. Critics and fans note that his sound is more melodic and “progressive” in approach compared to harder or darker psytrance styles.

Since he began with progressive house influences, Blazy’s production often retains a dancefloor sensibility. He has said in interviews that he produces what he “likes, wants, and feels,” rather than following a predetermined formula. This approach has yielded music with wide appeal: he might layer Latin or world-music motifs in a track one moment, and a pure trance lead the next. One sign of his creative method was revealed in the making of his “Sweater Weather” cover: he and his co-producers hid a backward vocal snippet as an easter egg, showing a playful, experimental side.

In practical terms, Blazy works hard on crafting polished sounds. He reportedly took his time with key tracks (for example, Interlude was meticulous work over nearly a year). He also capitalizes on multimedia promotion: for Interlude, he produced a professional video featuring local dancers, which helped hype the release. On social media, he utilizes streaming platforms and preview clips; by mid-2020 he acknowledged that platforms like YouTube and Spotify are crucial for reaching listeners and sustaining his career. Earlier in his career, he humbly noted that he had to start focusing on these channels to maximize exposure, essentially teaching himself to market through Instagram and SoundCloud previews.

Collaboration is another aspect of his method. Blazy frequently co-produces with others: for example, he and producer Gottinari, under the alias Burn in Tide, co-created the original “Tandava (Burn in Tide Remix)”. He also collaborates by featuring singers (like Kevin Brauer) or teaming up with producers (Sevenn, Aura Vortex, etc.) to combine different skills. These partnerships allow him to experiment – mixing in techno, R&B-style vocals, or trap-like drum patterns if a collaborator suggests it. In the 2024 single “51 Ways” (with Durs), their goal was explicitly to make a track that defies easy genre classification, pulling in progressive trance chords alongside techno-style percussion and modern vocal lines.

Blazy generally produces music that works well on the dance floor: he pays attention to peaks and drops, expects DJs to play his tracks and gauges success by dance reactions. In interviews he has noted that sometimes he knows a track will work before release because he can see the crowd’s reaction when testing it at a show. Yet he also emphasizes musicality – a radio-friendly remix of a well-known song (“Innerbloom” cover, nostalgia tracks like “Sweater Weather”) shows he aims to create emotional resonance, not just hype.

Influence and Reception

Blazy’s emergence has had a notable effect on the Brazilian and global psytrance scenes. He inspired many young producers in Brazil by proving that a local artist could reach international chart success in this niche genre. Industry commentators have credited him with drawing attention to the Brazilian psytrance community, increasing respect for its output. For example, music journalists have observed that multiple young Brazilian DJ/producers cite Blazy’s career as motivation. His success abroad (with tours and festivals) has also shone a spotlight on Brazil’s dance music culture, encouraging foreign audiences to explore Brazilian psytrance.

Within Brazil, he is often mentioned alongside other top acts (like Vintage Culture on the Brazilian electronic scene) but in the psytrance subgenre. As of the early 2020s, he has been consistently one of the most-streamed Brazilians on Spotify in the psytrance category, often surpassing more veteran artists. He has brought psytrance into settings it rarely frequented – for example, mainstream pop/rock festivals (Rock in Rio) and large clubs that previously focused on house music. After his Rock in Rio performance, media coverage noted that even many attendees unfamiliar with psytrance stayed to listen, viewing it as a success in popularizing the style. Blazy himself commented that representing “a somewhat marginalized style” at such a big festival was “realizing a dream.”

Globally, trance DJs from outside the psytrance community have shown support. Notable trance producers such as Vini Vici (a popular psychedelic trance duo) have endorsed his music, and legendary trance artists like Armin van Buuren and Alok have included Blazy’s tracks on associated compilations or playlists. This crossover recognition reflects how his progressive, melodic take on psytrance appeals to a wider EDM audience. In turn, this has generated more plays and bookings; he is often invited to events and festivals that value trance and progressive sounds.

Musically, some critics liken Blazy’s innovation to bridging styles. By reinterpreting indie and mainstream songs (the “Sweater Weather” cover, the RÜFÜS DU SOL “Innerbloom” remake) through a psytrance lens, he has tested the genre’s boundaries. This approach has drawn attention from fans of those original songs, introducing them to trance beats. Likewise, his collaborations with rappers and pop-influenced producers (e.g. Durs) bring R&B and techno flavors into psytrance context. Such experiments are seen by supporters as expanding the creative vocabulary of psytrance – merging “psychedelic” sound design (synth washes, spacey effects, spiritual vocals often heard in psytrance) with conventions from other EDM subgenres.

Of course, not all reception is uniformly glowing. Some long-time purists in the underground psytrance scene have debated whether Blazy’s more “melodic” style truly represents the classic psytrance ethos. He tends to avoid the very dark or industrial sounds favored by a subset of the community, and his polished production values are beyond typical DIY trance. A few forum commenters and critics have suggested that his music sometimes sounds more like progressive house or trance than pure Goa/hard-psy. However, many celebrate this crossover approach as necessary evolution; supporters argue that psytrance must innovate or it will stagnate. Even those pointing out stylistic differences often concede that Blazy’s work still belongs within the broad psytrance movement, simply on its more accessible end.

Overall, press coverage frames Blazy as a positive force for psytrance, especially in Brazil. Articles emphasize how he has opened doors (“levou o Psytrance” to Rock in Rio, wrote one headline) and served as an inspiration to emerging DJs. In interviews he is portrayed as hardworking and humble, focusing on the music rather than pumping up a celebrity image. Attached to phrases like “meteoric rise” and “young phenom,” his image is that of a technical producer more than a scene provocateur. To fans of trance and even outside observers, Blazy represents how a young talent, starting from a Southern Brazilian city, can rise through digital platforms to become a global act in the psychedelic trance scene.

Critiques

While Blazy’s popularity has generally benefited the genre, some critics have voiced reservations about aspects of his sound. One common critique is that his music tends toward formulaic progressions and polished, “radio-friendly” arrangements compared to the more experimental or unpredictable tracks of underground psytrance. For listeners who prefer raw analog synth sounds and relentless 145–150 BPM speeds, Blazy’s 130–135 BPM, melody-centric style may not fit the classic psytrance mold. Some genre forums have tweaked that his success is bolstered by catchy vocal hooks and mainstream song structures (as in his covers and vocal collaborations), which can feel at odds with the psychedelic ethos of mind-expanding dance music.

Moreover, purists sometimes argue that chart success on Beatport or heavy Spotify streams could encourage formula-chasing in the scene. They worry that new artists might emulate Blazy’s style just to hit big charts, risking a “sameness” in sound. This echo’s broader EDM debates about “progressive” vs “full-on” psytrance and the tension between underground appeal and commercial screenshot. Blazy himself has addressed such concerns indirectly by emphasizing that he produces music he is passionate about, and that audience identification drives success more than any marketing plan. Nevertheless, the differing viewpoints persist: some see him as broadening the genre’s horizons, while others see a dilution of underground character.

Despite these critiques, his overall reception remains largely positive. Even detractors acknowledge that Blazy draws new listeners to psytrance, potentially benefiting lesser-known producers by expanding the overall market. Critics who enjoy melody and crossover are especially appreciative of his work. In performance reviews, audiences often comment that even if they weren’t previously psytrance fans, his energetic sets and memorable tunes were highly entertaining. In summary, the critical view of Blazy is polarized along lines of musical taste: appreciated for innovation and reach, and scrutinized by purists for a somewhat mainstream tilt.

Legacy and Continuing Impact

As of the mid-2020s, Blazy is still young, but his impact is already shaping the future trajectory of psytrance, especially in Brazil. He has established new benchmarks – being the first Brazilian to achieve multiple Beatport #1s – and set a precedent for the level of international success possible. Future Brazilian producers often cite him as proof that world-wide recognition is attainable without switching genres away from trance.

His legacy is likely to be that of a bridge-builder. By bringing psytrance into big festivals, pop-oriented contexts (rock festivals, Spotify editorial playlists), and by blending genres, he has helped demystify psytrance to unfamiliar ears. This may open doors for more cross-genre collaborations. If nothing else, he has raised the profile of progressive, melodic psytrance in a scene often characterized by its intensity and underground aura. In Brazil, he joins the ranks of artists who make dance music a viable career path — similar to how Brazilian trance duo Vini Vici and others have done for their home scenes.

Looking ahead, Blazy continues to release new music and tour, suggesting he will keep shaping the genre. He has hinted at ongoing projects (new singles and remixes in the pipeline) and remains active on conversational Social media. Many predict he will influence the next wave of psytrance by serving as an example of artistic entrepreneurship in electronic music – leveraging streaming, social networks, and savvy branding.

His legacy in the classical sense is still unfolding, but one likely enduring mark will be the way he documented the 2020s as a time when global-access platforms (Spotify, YouTube, SoundCloud, digital festivals) allowed a young producer from southern Brazil to compete with the world’s elites in a niche genre. Whether or not his individual stylistic innovations define future psytrance substyles, Blazy’s career so far has undeniably widened perceptions of what progressive psytrance can be and who its stars can look like.

Selected Works

“Tandava (Burn in Tide Remix)” (Blazy & Gottinari, 2017) – A remix of Shanti People’s “Tandava,” crucial early hit; topped Beatport’s psytrance chart and made Blazy the youngest Brazilian to reach #1 in that genre.
“Interlude” (with Aura Vortex, 2018) – Original collab track with a haunting vocal motif; #1 on Beatport psytrance; became one of his signature tunes.
“Makeup (Blazy Remix)” (Neelix ft. Caroline Harrison, 2020) – Blazy’s trance remix of a Neelix single; #1 on Beatport psytrance chart in June 2020.
“Mama India (Blazy Remix)” (Technical Hitch ft. Durs, 2020) – Psytrance remix he co-produced; topped Beatport’s chart in December 2020.
“Balikali” (Blazy & Dead Musicians Society & Aura Vortex Remix) (Undercover, 2019) – #1 on Beatport psytrance in January 2020, another collaboration with Aura Vortex.
“Dystopia” (with Sighter & Basscannon, 2020) – Moody psytrance single; reached #1 on Beatport’s charts.
“Hats Off”, “Addicted To The Thrill Of”, “Pompeii”, “Naturaleza” (2023–2024) – Singles from his debut album The Chase; all charted highly on Beatport (with “The Chase” the title track also hitting #1).
“The Chase” (Original Mix, 2024) – Title track from debut album; #1 on Beatport psytrance charts; exemplifies his blend of mysterious vocals and driving rhythm.
“Harvest Moon (feat. Kevin Brauer)” (Blazy, 2023) – A melodic vocal psytrance single featuring Brazilian soul singer Kevin Brauer.
“Sweater Weather” (Blazy, Sevenn & Sighter, 2023) – A trance cover of The Neighbourhood’s pop hit, reworked with dramatic chords and a reversed hidden message; a fan favorite demonstrating Blazy’s genre-bridging approach.
“51 Ways” (Blazy & Durs, 2021) – Collaboration single that mixes trance synths with R&B-style vocals; noted as an unconventional, cross-genre track.

(The Chase, Album, 2024) – Debut album weaving trance and concept-driven motifs. All 5 tracks (Hats Off; Naturaleza; Addicted To The Thrill Of; The Chase; Pompeii) were released as singles and achieved top chart positions. The album’s cohesive narrative of a mystical adventure marks a milestone in Blazy’s discography.

Timeline

~2009–2012: Early teens – Listens to psytrance (introduced by brother to Astrix) and progressive house; self-teaches music production software.
2013–2016: First official releases on local trance labels; begins DJ’ing in Brazil.
Jan 2017: Releases Tandava (Burn in Tide Remix); track goes viral and tops the Beatport global psytrance chart.
Jul 2018: Collab “Interlude” (Blazy & Aura Vortex) reaches #1 on Beatport psytrance, spending over three weeks atop. He is 19 years old at this time.
2019: Gains international following; performs at festivals like Universo Paralello.
Jan 2020: Remix of Undercover’s “Balikali” hits #1 on Beatport psytrance.
Jun 2020: Remix of Neelix’s “Makeup” hits #1 on Beatport psytrance.
Mar 2020: Releases “Dystopia” (ft. Sighter & Basscannon); soon reaches #1 on psytrance charts.
Dec 2020: Remix of Technical Hitch’s “Mama India” reaches #1 on Beatport psytrance.
2021: Continues releasing singles, e.g. “Sweater Weather” and “51 Ways.” Performs widely as COVID restrictions ease.
2022: Performs at Rock in Rio (New Dance Order stage). Reaches milestone 150+ million streams.
2024: Releases debut album “The Chase.” Title track earns #1 on Beatport psytrance charts. The album’s success cements his status as a leading figure in progressive psytrance.