Daniel Haaksman

Few individuals can claim to have done so much for musical exchange across the globe as DJ, producer and label head Daniel Haaksman. Heentered the world stage with the release of his 2004 compilation "RIo Baile Funk Favela Booty Beats" on Essay Recordings which presented the sound of Rio s favelas for the first time to a global audience. The CD soon became a classic Today, "Rio Baile Funk Favela Booty Beats" is considered the main reference when it comes to baile funk. Out of the title of the compilation grew the genre definition "Baile Funk" (originally called "Funk Cariocas), since recently, even the iTunes shop is offering "Baile Funk"as a music style.

In 2005 Haaksman decided to give the sound of Rio De Janeiro the Berlin treatment and started Man Recordings- until today the only label outside of Brasil continously releasing baile funk. With artists such as Sany Pitbull, Mr.Catra, João Brasil, Deize Tigrona, MC Gringo and EduK, Man Recordings released the big names of baile funk and presented them to an international audience. Additionally, Haaksman comissioned producers such as Crookers, Diplo, Sinden, Jesse Rose, Riva Starr, Feadz amongst others, to produce their interpretation of baile funk - which resulted in the ten volumed "Funk Mundial" vinyl series. In 2010, Man Recordings celebrated its 50th release and 5 years of releasing music with the compilation "Valeu".

Inspired by the releases he put out on Man Rec, Daniel kicked off his career as a recording artist, with the debut EP "Who s Afraid Of Rio?" in 2008, resulting in a series of more EP releases, including the "Gostoso EP" and the "Hands Up" EP. Additionally, Daniel made floor smashing remixes for artists such as Gotan Project, Phenomenal Handclap Band, Beataucue, Acid Washed, The Glimmers, Schlachthofbronx, Féloche and Edu K amongst others. During all these years, Haaksman travelled all four corners of the globe asa DJ with his CD booklet, playing a club friendly mix of baile funk, kuduro, raved-up samba, 3ball, ghetto house, and UK funky – in a stark contrast to the rigid and minimalist sound Berlin DJs usually are known for. Daniel Haaksman is a Berliner, but simply knows no musical rules, except for one: A DJ has to rock the party.

In 2011 Daniel released his debut album "Rambazamba" which included the highlights of his prior EP releases as well as many new tracks of pure heat. In April 2012 Daniel released "More Rambazamba" – overflowing with polyrhythmic joy, bumping along with little regard for genre boundaries and in the process creating even more space for winding waists and tastes!