#GLOWBUZZ Ep. 012:: Coco Bryce loves Rebetiko

Last month, I received an email from the Jungle Don Coco Bryce with the subject line "Athens," and it instantly excited me because I thought he was about to play a set near my city. But it turned out to be more than I expected. He was about to visit Greece for the very first time to immerse himself in the country’s musical culture, particularly Rebetiko and Laiko from the early 20th century. The truth is, before his visit, he had started learning Greek and experimenting with demos that sample Rebetiko and Laiko. I was lucky enough to receive a bunch of them - one of those demos is also featured in the episode.

Just for the record, Coco and I connected through music ten years ago and even made a special radio show together. So, we had an amazing time exploring and experiencing the urban Athenian culture, and I even had the chance to conduct a short interview about the #GLOWBUZZ series, where we discussed all things music.

You can take a gander on the link above:

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🔸𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐜𝐨 𝐁𝐫𝐲𝐜𝐞🔸

 Coco Bryce (real name: Yoël Bego) is a Dutch DJ, producer, and label owner whose nearly three decades of experience have firmly established him as a seasoned veteran in the Electronic music world. His journey into music began in 1995 when he first got his hands on a pair of decks, quickly immersing himself in the Hardcore and UK Breakbeat scenes. By the late 90s, Coco had ventured into production, releasing his debut vinyl in 1999, setting the stage for a prolific career that has since seen over 170 vinyl releases.

Known for his versatility, Coco's work spans a vast range of genres and labels, with notable contributions to Future Retro, Rupture, PRSPCT, Fresh 86 but to name a few. Whether through the raucous energy of Breakbeat Hardcore or the intricate rhythms of Jungle, his productions have been always ahead of the curve while drawing on influences from across the musical spectrum. Coco’s music roots run deep, with his love of Hip-Hop, Funk, Rock, and skate culture shaping his early education. His interest in Electronic music grew through schoolmates and regular visits to record shops, eventually leading him to explore Jungle and Drum & Bass. Throughout the late 90s and early 2000s, he became known for his dynamic DJ sets, particularly at squat parties, where his genre-blurring style - spanning Acid, Tekno, and tribal beats - captured the underground spirit of the time.

While the 2000s were marked by experimentation, Coco found his groove in 2009 with Skweee, a genre fusing Electronic beats with Lo-Fi Funk and Soul influences. By 2015, he returned to his love in Jungle launching also his own Myor Massiv (sub-label of Myor), releasing captivating material ever since. More recently, he has delved into incorporating samples from traditional music across the globe - drawing from Jewish, Bulgarian, Indonesian, Greek, and Latin American records. This eclectic approach is part of his ongoing mission to push boundaries, while always maintaining a respect for the roots of the genres he loves.

For Coco, making music has always been about fulfilling childhood dreams. One such moment came when he had the opportunity to release an EP on Kniteforce Records, a label he had adored since the 90s. His love for this legendary label and its iconic artwork even inspired him to draw his own designs for his bootleg Snoopy releases. Coco’s artistic range extends beyond Jungle and Breakbeat, and under his Chavinski moniker he focuses on UK Garabe and House, while under the DJ Y moniker delivers the raw, bass-heavy energy associated with the Gabber and Early Hardcore sounds (e.g., Faces of Bass).

Having played across all continents, Coco Bryce continues to evolve as an artist, relentlessly seeking fresh inspiration and new ways to express his dynamic musical vision.

Coco Bryce

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