Akka

It would seem as if Amsterdam-based DJ, producer, and above-all, Rwina Records overlord Chafik Chennouf -- better known as Akka -- has the Midas Touch, because everything he touches turns to, if not gold, brilliantly neon explosions of colour and exuberance. After moving away from involvement in the Conflict nights at Amsterdams legendary Melkweg, Akkachar founded Rwina, which pretty much nailed it from the beginning: cherry-picking Starkey for the labels debut, he nailed down a lasting connection with an inspiring artist and an association with a DJ who would quickly become an international sensation in the bass music scene. Releases like Starkey s -Just a Million- and especially -Rain City- put the label in 2009 on the map, both locally and internationally. Other releases came from grime godfather and legend Terror Danjah, EPs from the UKs hottest and most experimental new wave of grime producers in Swindle and SRC, and sludgy beats contortions from L.A.s EPROM.

Akkas musical talent extends beyond A&R, however. He knows his way around a music studio, and his own productions have received attention and play from DJs like Mistajam, Starkey and DJ Wonder, to name just a few. Hes had airplay on radio stations such as BBC1, BBC1 Xtra, Rinse FM and Kiss FM, and Subway, Rotterdam-based dubstep-institution, released his debut solo single of rainbow-flecked low-frequency oscillations back in 2011. His latest release; -Synergy- on the Rwina imprint, a collab with longtime friend Taz, went through the roof and gained a lot of support from DJs like DJ Shadow and Mary Anne Hobbs to name a few and loads of international press. In 2014 Akka will debut with his first solo EP Rwina and its tracks are already in circulation playlists of jocks like Mark Pritchard, DJ Shadow, Kutmah and GLK. Hes also competent behind the decks, revealing a diverse taste that extends beyond the breadth of both his label output and his own productions. With residencies at the Subway parties in Rotterdam, Cable in Amsterdam and gigs spread all over Holland and Europe, hes a formidable DJ whose varied but impeccable taste makes him dependable for a great set every time. His sets are loaded with dubplates from the scenes hottest (or up-and- coming slow-burning) producers, and he always delivers the dancefloor gold, because after all, he does have the Midas Touch.