Entertainment

DEFEO’s Journey From Local Clubs To Big Music Festivals

Published

1 year ago

April 19, 2022

The art of DJing is not a new concept. DJs have been bringing lives to major concerts and festivals for a long time. Some people perceive that being a DJ does not require significant music skills, but this conception is way far from the truth. A modern-day DJ needs to work with different kinds of professional software and equipment. A talented DJ needs a sense of music and effective technical skills to rock the concert and make the people dance to their own taste in music. Most DJs love their job and enjoy doing it every other night. However, the fun does not come that easy; they need to give out of the practice efforts to gauge the attention of the music lovers and skyrocket in the industry. In most cases, DJs start their music-producing career in local clubs and concerts; they keep doing extra effort but go unnoticed in the industry. Only a few talented DJs climb the ladder of success by giving extraordinary efforts. One such professional DJ is Angelo De Feo, who started his music recording and producing journey from the local clubs but never compromised on smaller achievements. He kept polishing his DJing skills and got an opportunity to show his art in major concerts and big music festivals.

Success does not come on a silver plate. One needs to work very hard to reach the required destination. Various problems become a hurdle in the journey, but one needs to stay true to the path and keep giving the effort until expected results. Like other professions, DJing requires strong commitment and consistency to get to the next level of success. A DJ’s life might seem rocking with lots of fun. However, the reality differs from the audience’s conceptions. There are a lot of issues that a DJ suffers from. Initially, a newbie gets very low money for playing music at the full-night party. It is not money that inspires music lovers to become DJs. Instead, it is their passion and love for the job that they do it committedly.

A DJ’s lifestyle is different from that of normal people; they do not have a proper time to nap. They rock the stage and make people dance to their music and that too regularly. In addition, the DJs do not get immediate recognition like musicians or singers. It takes much time and patience to enjoy a fan following and get huge recognition. The DJ needs to perform at such shows, but that’s how they make friends and develop a dominating name in the industry. Despite hurdles and struggles, DEFEO never stopped at any point and kept climbing the ladder of success with his exceptional performance and art of music.

Angelo De Feo was born on 22 July 1991 in Switzerland. He is a DJ and record producer well known for his stage name, DEFEO. DEFEO started his DJing journey in 2009 when he played music in several local clubs and bars in Switzerland. In 2010, his talent was spotted by his General Manager, Marc Heymoz. DEFEO had bigger goals. He knew his talent was not for the small platforms. DEFEO wanted to perform on bigger stages. Intending to grow professionally, DEFEO joined Aprod Agency (CH) in 2012 for two years. Being part of the agency, DEFEO got opportunities to play music at the biggest festival in Switzerland. He also performed at the Winter Music Conference in Miami.

DEFEO had been working with his general manager for years. However, the time came when they both decided to call their partnership off in 2014. After the separation, DEFEO worked as a free agent DJ, but the separation did not remain forever. His general manager, March Heymoz, started a new agency in 2015, known as AFFINITY, and asked DEFEO to join. The duo started working together as a new team.

DEFEO has gained impressive recognition in DJing. Currently, he performs in various clubs in Switzerland, including MAD Club – ranked in the annual list of top 100 clubs. Besides Switzerland, DEFEO also performs in different Europe counties, such as Spain, France, and the Czech Republic. He also performs in the United States and Macedonia. DEFEO has been performing in these countries for years.

Besides touring as DJ, DEFEO has also produced and released his singles on some popular labels like Sosumi Records and Kryteria Records (Spinnin’ Records) – both the labels are run by Kryder. DEFEO also released his music on Generation HEX, Sirup Music, and Juicy Traxx.

DEFEO is skyrocketing his name in the DJing profession. His journey started in local bars and clubs, and today he performs in various countries. DEFEO’s journey is an inspiration for newcomers.

Entertainment

Discovering The Influence of Jazz and Soul in Hip-Hop Sampling

Published

1 month ago

August 29, 2023

Jonathan Grilli

Hip-hop music has taken over the world since its ascension from the streets of the Bronx in New York City. Characterized by its unique blend of poetry, rhythm, and beats, hip-hop has produced some of the world’s most iconic musicians and songs. One of the hallmarks of hip-hop music is its creative sampling techniques, which involves using snippets of music from old records to recreate new sounds. But where do these samples come from? And what has been the major influence behind hip-hop sampling?

The answer is jazz and soul music. In this blog post, we’ll put jazz and soul music under the microscope as expert Benjy Grinberg explores how these genres have influenced hip-hop sampling.

Jazz Music Influence On Hip-Hop Sampling

Jazz music was a major inspiration behind the early days of hip-hop music. Jazz music was all about improvisation and freestyling, which is very much in the DNA of hip-hop. In the early days of hip-hop, DJs often looped beats from jazz records to create breakbeats, which became the building blocks of early hip-hop music. One of the most sampled jazz artists in hip-hop is none other than the legendary saxophonist John Coltrane. Coltrane’s music has been sampled in countless hip-hop songs, and his influence can be felt in the music of many hip-hop icons, including Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, and Kendrick Lamar.

Soul Music Influence On Hip-Hop Sampling

Soul music, on the other hand, was all about emotion and expression. The raw, unfiltered passion of soul music was aptly captured in the sampling techniques of early hip-hop producers. One of the most sampled soul artists in hip-hop is James Brown. Brown’s unique blend of funk, soul, rhythm, and blues has been sampled in countless hip-hop tracks. Brown’s “Funky Drummer” has become one of the most iconic samples in hip-hop and has been used by everyone from Public Enemy and Run-DMC to Dr. Dre and Kanye West.

Jazz And Soul Music As A Source Of Inspiration For Hip-Hop Sampling

As hip-hop music evolved, so did its sampling techniques. Producers and artists began to look beyond just using samples to create beats but also as a source of inspiration for their lyrics and melodies. Jazz and soul music became fertile ground for this kind of experimentation. Artists like A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and The Roots infused jazz and soul samples into their music, not just for the danceable beats but also to add depth and richness to their lyrics and melodies.

Other Examples Of Jazz And Soul Sampling

Hip-hop’s rich history is peppered with countless examples of jazz and soul samples. Some of the most iconic tracks in the genre owe their existence to these tried-and-true sources. One example of hip-hop greatly influenced by these genres is “N.Y. State of Mind” by Nas. The track samples Joe Chambers’ “Mind Rain,” featuring a haunting and soulful beat with Nas’s gritty and introspective lyrics. Another iconic track that has sampled jazz is “Electric Relaxation” by A Tribe Called Quest. The track heavily samples Ronnie Foster’s “Mystic Brew,” creating a hypnotic and smooth rhythm that complements Q-Tip and Phife Dawg’s playful yet insightful lyrics. These songs and many more showcase the versatility and creative genius of hip-hop producers who have skillfully incorporated jazz and soul samples to create a new wave of music.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, jazz and soul music have significantly influenced hip-hop music. Jazz represents the improvisational spirit and freestyling DNA that runs through hip-hop music, while soul represents the raw, unfiltered emotions that hip-hop music embodies. Jazz and soul music have been sampled and used as inspiration by countless hip-hop producers and artists, and their influence can be felt in the music of some of hip-hop’s most iconic names, from Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, and Kendrick Lamar to Public Enemy, Run-DMC, Dr. Dre, and Kanye West. According to Benjy Grinberg, without jazz and soul music, hip-hop music would not be what it is today – a global phenomenon that has influenced not just music but also fashion, art, and culture.