Unique approach to Dutch DJ-culture attracts top international players to Rotterdam

At the fourth edition of Buma Rotterdam Beats over the weekend, a unique approach to Dutch DJ-culture proved to be a major attraction. This year the international festival for urban bass & beats featured a special focus on the success stories of Dutch acts and producers, and the major influence of Dutch Beats worldwide, a fact that attracted a record numbers of visitors from both The Netherlands and abroad.

Guest of honor this year was DJ Moortje, the originator of the 25 year-old, typically Dutch phenomenon known as bubbling. The sounds of this genre are experiencing a revival in popularity on both US hit radio and across the underground scene thanks to the current global influence of Dutch house and bass music in the international pop scene. During two days at Buma Rotterdam Beats, the 50-year old DJ laid down the foundation for a restart of his career with a fresh spate of bookings, the prospect of an album for a highly influential label, two planned documentaries, and a number of collaborations with currently successful DJs who cite him as a major influence on their careers.

The event, which this year consisted of a B2B conference for music industry professionals, as well as a comprehensive free program for upcoming musical talent, and a showcase festival, proved to be an outstanding platform for acts and industry professionals to interact and form new business relationships. During the highly popular Beat Pitches, where established professionals get to check out beats by unknown and up and coming acts, Atlantic Records VP of A&R Rigo ‘Riggs’ Morales said that a number of the productions he heard were ripe for a wider market. “I take this beat and will send it to five song writers,” said Morales, who has previously worked with Eminem and 50 Cent, to upcoming local producer Motabeatz (27) from Bussum: “It is one good hook away from being a massive international hit.”

“This fourth edition of Buma Rotterdam Beats sees the event now firmly established alongside its partner festivals the Amsterdam Dance Event and Noorderslag,” general manager Richard Zijlma said. “Visiting the Q&As, the workshops, the panels and networking areas, it was clear to me that this weekend was in so many ways an important template for future success.”

The day program attracted 600 professional delegates, including 120 panelists and speakers from both The Netherlands and abroad. The highly varied nighttime festival took place over three nights, and featured 75 acts. Stand-out performances included the passionate electronic soul of Danish act Quadron, a show by one of the major live sensations of 2013, Australian group Hiatus Kaiyote, the sizzling beats of Camo & Krooked from Austria, an inspired label night by highly-regarded Dutch label Nouveau Riche, and the ground-breaking live hiphop of Detroit’s Black Milk. The fourth edition of the event also featured the Street Science-festival, which included a unique hip-hop tour of the harbor, alongside the presentation of the prestigious State Awards.

Buma Rotterdam Beats took place from 14-16 November and is organized by Stichting Buma Rotterdam Beats, an initiative of Buma and supported by Sena.

This event is part of the yearly agenda of Rotterdam Festivals. For a complete overview visit www.rotterdamfestivals.nl