Dance or Die: The sonic ritual of KENN

Dance or Die was born from a clear idea: to reclaim the essence of the dance floor.

Resident Evil 4 has always been a fundamental part of my world. It’s not just a game; it’s a story that has shaped my creativity for as long as I can remember. Every detail of its universe, from the characters to its atmosphere, continues to inspire me to this day. I’ve always been fascinated by the cult of Los Iluminados, especially its leader, Osmund Saddler, and the way his voice hypnotized his followers, as if they were an audience trapped under his influence. For me, this draws a parallel with the modern dance floor: a space that was once a temple of surrender and connection but now faces the constant distraction of screens and digital inertia. Dance or Die was born as a response to that. Dancing is not an option; it is a necessity.

In the game, Saddler’s followers believe that “to die is to live.” KENN reinterprets this idea through music: dance or be trapped in the passivity of the digital age.

Osmund Saddler & Ramón Salazar

Osmund Saddler is the leader of Los Iluminados, a cult that seeks total domination through the use of Las Plagas, a parasite that grants absolute control over its hosts. His presence is almost messianic, a figure who manipulates his followers to the point of blind devotion. Ramón Salazar, on the other hand, is the aristocrat who owns the castle where much of the game takes place. Despite his childlike appearance and eccentric behavior, he is a lethal character who uses his lineage to maintain power and serve Saddler without question. In Dance or Die, this narrative is reinterpreted from a different angle: it’s not about control but about the fight to reclaim free will in a world where distraction and passivity act as an invisible system of control. Much like in The Matrix, where reality is an illusion designed to keep people trapped, today we live in a state of collective hypnosis that disconnects us from what truly matters. The dance floor is where we can wake up.

Sonically, the essence of this track stems from my signature style: powerful yet melodic basslines, cinematic production, and the energy I always strive to convey in every drop. But this time, I wanted to give even more weight to the concept. The phrase “to die is to live,” which echoes in the game, led me to think of my own message: if you don’t dance, you die. Dance as the only way to break free from collective hypnosis, to escape passivity.

The choice of the vocal was no coincidence. I wanted something that evoked the mysticism of Los Iluminados but with a clear and forceful message: Dance or Die. Its repetition acts as a mantra, a call to action that intensifies the track’s tension and creates a sense of urgency. Every note, every texture is designed to disconnect the listener from the outside world and immerse them in this sonic ritual.

The visual aspect also plays a key role. The violet hood and the track’s artwork are inspired by the aesthetics of Resident Evil 4, with direct references to Saddler and Salazar—characters who represent corrupted royalty, power taken to the extreme until it loses all logic. The sophisticated attire, the golden details, the aura of dominance. In this universe, the DJ is the central figure, the leader of the ritual, but in my case, I don’t seek absolute control. I seek liberation through movement.

Dance or Die is just the first chapter. The next one, Lord Salazar, continues the sonic atmosphere and narrative but from a different perspective. While the first track is an order, a sentence, Lord Salazar is more relaxed, a reflection of the eccentric and theatrical personality of the character in the game. Both are part of the same story, a sound that continues to evolve while staying true to its essence.

If someone listens to this track without knowing the story behind it, I want them to feel the energy. To dance. To disconnect. To understand that the dance floor is a sacred place and that, at the end of the day, the only option is to surrender completely or remain trapped in inertia.