DJ Umek

DJ Umek
Birth name Uroš Umek
Also known as Umek, Fotr (Father), Alba Patera, Error, Kemu, Mumps, Nuca, Polyvinyl, Ratcapa, Thorax, Tiga (2), Zeta Reticula
Born May 16, 1976
Origin Ljubljana, then SFR Yugoslavia
Genres Electronica, techno, tech house
Occupation(s) Disc jockey, record producer
Years active 1993–present
Labels Consumer Recreation, Recycled Loops, Earresistible Musick, Astrodisco, 1605, Spinnin' Records, Ultra Records
Associated acts Valentino Kanzyani
Website Official website
Notable instruments
Turntables

Uroš Umek (Slovene pronunciation: [ˈúːrɔʃ ˈúːmək]; born May 16, 1976 in Ljubljana, Slovenia), better known as DJ Umek or simply Umek, is a Slovenian dance music composer and DJ. Musically active since 1993, he is the owner of several techno record labels. In 1999 he founded Consumer Recreation and Recycled Loops, the former of which he co-runs with Valentino Kanzyani. Recycled Loops formed the sublabel Earresistible Musick in 2001, and in 2007 Umek founded the large techno label 1605.

In 2010 he won Best Techno Artist at the Beatport Music Awards,[1] and in 2013 he was named Best Techno DJ at the EMPO Awards.[2] In 2013, he won Best Techno Track at the International Dance Music Awards,[3] and the following year he won Best Techno/Tech House Artist.[4] He has recently released singles and remixes on Spinnin' Records and Ultra Records, working with artists such as Groovebox and Waka Flocka.

Career

Early years (1990s-2006)

Umek began DJing in 1993 at the age of 17 years. He was among the pioneers of the electronic music in Slovenia.[5] In 1999 he released music on his own labels Consumer Recreation and Recycled Loops, the former of which he co-runs with Valentino Kanzyani. Umek became famous by techno-supporters in Europe about 2001, for his fast mixing skills and his uplifting dj-sets. In the later years he changed his style a little bit. He has released a large number of EPs and anthems and has a reputation as an innovator. He is known to play the music from 4 turntables simultaneously. In 2001 he released music on Earresistible Musick, and in 2006, on Astrodisco.

1605 and hit singles (2006-present)

External video
UMEK feat. Waka Flocka - Cheezin' (Official Music Video) - this music video, out on Spinnin' Records in January 2015, is somewhat divergent from UMEK's other hit singles.

In 2006 he released a single "Posing As Me," which was a big hit in Slovenia. In 2007 he did another video supported project with a Croatian singer and lyrics writer Anđa Marić Carbon Occasions, and also released music on the label 1605 Records. On his birthday May 16 he organized a musical event called Dan Elektronike (Electronica Day). He was ranked at position 29 of the TOP 100 DJs for the year 2007 by the DJ Magazine. Some people regard Umek as one of the Top 10 Techno DJs in the world.[6]

He performed an Essential Mix on BBC Radio 1 in November 2007.[7] In 2010 he won Best Techno Artist at the Beatport Music Awards,[1] and in 2013 he was named Best Techno DJ at the EMPO Awards.[2] Also in 2013, his son "Goes On" was named Best Techno Track at the International Dance Music Awards.[3] The following year, he won Best Techno/Tech House Artist.[4]

Awards

Year Award Nominated work Category Result
2010 Beatport Music Awards DJ Umek Best Techno Artist[1] Won
2013 EMPO Awards DJ Umek Best Techno DJ[2] Won
International Dance
Music Awards
"Goes On" Best Techno Track[3] Won
2014 DJ Umek Best Techno/Tech House Artist[4] Won

Discography

Main article: Umek discography

EPs

The following is an incomplete list of EPs released by DJ Umek:

Remixes

The following is an incomplete list of remixes released by DJ Umek:

Further reading

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to DJ Umek.