TodaysArt x 22tracks: Venz, Mr Mendel, Azer

TodaysArt x 22tracks: Venz, Mr Mendel, Azer

The program on Friday for Zuid +1 features a program compiled by 22tracks, who have selected a range of upcoming producers and dj’s in the realm of beats, funk and tropical.

21:00 – 22:30 Venz 
22.30 – 00:00 Mr Mendel
00:00 – 02:00 Azer

DJ AZER:

Azer got hit by hip hop hearing a dj spin A Tribe Called Quest on a local radio station during hip hop’s golden age, the nineties. Ever since that moment hip hop stood at the center of his musical universe, leading to his love for jazz, funk, soul, afrobeat and all types of bass and electronic oriented grooves. 

Today, with more than 10 years of dj experience, great insight in the latest tracks and deep knowledge of music reaching back to the 70’s, Azer can take people on an eclectic trip both during a one hour set as well as a 7 hour all nighter. Through his personal and distinct selections Azer also pushes new and fresh tunes to a broader audience.

 In addition to playing dj sets all over Belgium, The Netherlands, France, Germany, the UK and recently even Singapore, he has been the resident dj for All Eyes On Hip Hop for years, is a regular guest dj at Democrazy events and shared the stage with a long list of international artists such as Pusha T, FKA twigs, Talib Kweli, Dilated Peoples, Hudson Mohawke, Souls of Mischief, Guilty Simpson, Apollo Brown, Aloe Blacc, Oddisee and recently even the legendary Jeru the Damaja asked him to dj his show as he was touring without a DJ.

VENZ:

Venz is founder and creative director of music discovery startup 22tracks where he curates the Hip Hop and Relax (downtempo electronic) playlist. Venz aka Vincent Reinders (31) is born and raised in Amsterdam where he started out as an avid collector of hip hop music. It landed him a presenting job on national radio for almost ten years straight. 

After launching 22tracks in 2009 his musical focus has shifted more and more towards to the field of electronic beats, disco and house music. Around 2013 he started dj’ing more and more and in 2015 he formed DJ-duo VP with his former dj colleague Pim Lauwerier.

MR. MENDEL:

Mr Mendel, an Amsterdam native, started out spinning records at the infamous Duivel. This landed him a residency at Freakin Ill, an oldschool club night at Bitterzoet, Amsterdam.

Mr Mendel soon discovered that hiphop just wasn’t enough. His job at Waxwell Records introduced him to soul, disco, afro and brazil records. He instantly fell in love with the smell of dust, thousands of album covers and the crackling sound of old vinyl.

Currently he holds diverse residencies in Amsterdam at parties like I Love Vinyl, Wicked Jazz Sounds and Doka, which continue to attract an enthusiastic crowd of music lovers. He also curates the tropical playlist for 22tracks Amsterdam. 

Mr Mendel knows how to rock a party with his soulful, upbeat, heartfelt musical extravaganza!