Wankelmut: The German Electronic Music Producer
Wankelmut is a German DJ and electronic music producer who rose to international fame in the early 2010s. His primary achievement is the global chart-topping success of his remix of "My Head Is a Jungle", a track that defined the deep house crossover era.
Early career
Born Jacob Dilssner in 1984 in East Berlin, he began his musical journey as a drummer in punk bands during his youth. Adopting the stage name Wankelmut, he transitioned to electronic music production and DJing, releasing early tracks on labels like Exploited Records around 2010.
Breakthrough
His breakthrough arrived in 2012 with the release of his remix of Emma Louise's "My Head Is a Jungle". Initially a free download, the track's popularity exploded, leading to an official release on Exploited and later a major deal with Universal Music. The song became a summer anthem across Europe, reaching number one in Germany and several other countries, and achieving multi-platinum certifications.
Key tracks
My Head Is a Jungle (Wankelmut Remix) — This remix is the definitive track of his career, a deep house anthem that topped charts internationally and went multi-platinum.
I Could Be Happy — Released in 2013, this original production featuring Anna Leyne solidified his status as a hitmaker in the German dance scene.
One Day / Reckoning Song (Wankelmut Remix) — His remix of Asaf Avidan's folk track showcased his skill at transforming indie songs into club-ready deep house hits.
Street Player — This 2014 collaboration with DJ Phono demonstrated his continued work within the German house music circuit.
Following his meteoric rise, Wankelmut continued to DJ extensively at major festivals and clubs worldwide. He released further singles and collaborations, including work with artists like Marteria, and remained a staple on the Exploited Records roster. His sound, while evolving, stayed rooted in the accessible, melodic deep house that characterized his initial success.
For fans of Wankelmut's melodic and vocal-driven German house style, other key artists include Robin Schulz, who also found global fame with emotive dance remixes of indie tracks. Paul Kalkbrenner represents another pillar of German electronic music, known for his immersive techno and live performances. The deeper, club-oriented side of the scene is exemplified by Solomun, a DJ and producer celebrated for his melodic house and techno sets. Fritz Kalkbrenner offers a soulful and deep house approach with a distinct vocal presence, aligning closely with Wankelmut's musical territory.
The music of Wankelmut maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly on electronic and dance-focused FM stations and online radio streams. His hits are regularly featured in the rotations of commercial dance music channels and independent music radio stations that specialize in house music, ensuring his anthems continue to reach new audiences.
Listeners can explore the catalog of Wankelmut and hear his defining tracks on the electronic and dance radio stations featured on onairium.com. Tune in to discover his major hits and the work of similar artists within the vibrant German house music scene.
