Giegling co-founder Konstantin called out for offensive comments about women DJs

The statements were made in an interview with Groove Magazine

In a new piece published in the latest issue of the German music magazine, Giegling co-founder Konstantin revealed some deeply troubling views about women DJs, including his beliefs that women DJs are disproportionately promoted above their male peers. Furthermore, in one English translation, he’s quoted as saying that DJing makes women look “manly” and to take on the decks, women must lose their “female qualities”.

Images of the print interview appeared on Twitter and Discwoman posted an English translation of the German copy on their Twitter feed, which you can read below. The all-female DJ collective has slammed Giegling, saying, “Just want to kindly say fuck Konstantin and fuck Giegling.”

The Black Madonna has responded to the remarks with her personal experience of meeting Konstantin. The artist said in a tweet, “So, I’ll read the article but last week Konsti said and I quote ‘You’re a feminist? You might not want to be around me. I’m a chauvinist.'” She went on to speculate, “Actually now that I recall, my tour manager Rupert mentioned my being a feminist to him and he recoiled. He seemed incredulous.”

Eclair Fifi has tweeted a tongue-in-cheek reply, saying, “Who’s giegling? Lolz”. She continues, “I started djing in 2000 and didn’t think women would still have to deal with this bullshit 17 years later”.

Scroll down for images of the print feature and the subsequent fallout.

Update: In a statement given to RA this morning, Konstantin said, “I feel deeply sorry about the words that have been printed. These words are not a direct quote and are in my opinion misleading. I actually learned to DJ from my friend Sarah and of course I don’t think women are worse DJs than men. I completely regret what was said in that private conversation with the journalist, where she did not appreciate my bad sense of humour and my habit of taking opposite positions to challenge people, even if it sometimes goes way beyond my own opinion. What was written does not reflect my opinion nor is it at all anything other people from the label would ever say or feel. I accept the journalist’s point on the boy’s club. But we want women to be involved and we were always trying to involve women in our action.”

Update [2.10pm]: Giegling’s scheduled performance at Sunfall’s Night session has been cancelled due to Konstantin’s comments, “out of respect for the incredible female talent” confirmed for the event. Read the announcement below.

ADVERTISEMENTS