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We are very happy to welcome DJ Ogawa as our next guest in our "moments" podcast series!
A world without music is no world at all for DJ Ogawa. This Japanese DJ/Producer/Remixer has felt the rhythm and groove since childhood and you can tell. From his skills behind the decks to his obsession with quality in the studio, is a testimony of why he has gain so much respect among his peers at home and abroad, and an underground following in Japan.
Ogawa spent his teenage years living in the metropolis of Tokyo and was engulfed by many forms of music protruding from every nook and granny. Originally interested in punk, new wave and hip-hop, it was not until Chicago House overwhelmed his heart and clubs began to appear in the early 80’s, that he found his true calling for dance music and became a DJ.
Hailing from Nagoya, DJ Ogawa has been one of the pioneers of Nagoya’s underground scene. In 2001, he began his own event called SMASH at Club Mago and after 12years of a solid reputation of high-quality music and world-class DJs, SMASH has become known across the country, and now favored by many guest DJs such as John Digweed, Hernan Cattaneo and Satoshi Tomiie.
Having a hectic schedule with residencies, even in the early days of his career, DJ Ogawa’s true breakthrough came in 2008 when he took to production with studio partner Unic and released their first track “DEPARTURE”. DJ Emma, known in Japan as the godfather of house went on to sign it to his label Nitelist Music, along with a remix by Sugirumn. Its instant success lead to it being ranked No.1 in Japan’s Cisco’s House Music Chart and with it being supported by a host of top DJ’s at home and abroad, ended up selling out across the country and cemented his place as a producer in the dance music scene.
With a great start in the studio, Ogawa took to remixing tracks and furthered his success with adding his unique touch to Kaoru Inoue’s “The Whisperer in Germination”, which was featured on the compilation CD series “EMMA HOUSE”, and Inner City Jam Orchestra’s “Sakura”, which was included on the “Live at Pacha” CD mixed by Sugirumn and DJ Emma released in Japan.
He has also continue with his own productions with Unic and released original tracks such as “SMASH” and “EXPLOSION”, both of which have been huge hits on dance floors around the country and constantly played out by the likes of Hernan Cattaneo across the world. It is no wonder that the track “EXPLOSION”, with its powerful bass and piano riffs was featured on Beatport’s Progressive House Chart #9 in 2012.
"AC2D" with UNIC from album"ACID CITY"/Nitelist Music and “AIR Alertness" from BASS WORKS RECORDINGS, DJ NAKAHARA'S PARADISE STEAM REMIX,
DIATONIK 6TH ANNIVERSARY EP, BEYOND ACID with UNIC, HARUKAZE with UNIC, ZIPANG with OMB and ,SAGURADA FAMILIA with UNIC also remixed by HERNAN CATTANEO / SOUND EXILE in 2014.
DJ OGAWA has played at 2016 ULTRA JAPAN's REGISTANCE floor, as well as numerous prominent clubs such as WOMB, VISION, SANKEYS TYO and ageha, to name a few.
Overseas has seen him showcasing his flawless mixing skills and instinctive ability to work a crowd in many Asian countries like Hong Kong, Taiwan and this year, in South Korea for the “ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL “.
DJ OGAWA's master Hernan Cattaneo -- OGAWA plays a support role for all Hernan's gigs in Japan. In November 2015, OGAWA visited Buenos Aires, where he joined the SHAMROCK BASEMENT alongside with Soundexile. This gained traction, leading to a monthly radio mix on an Argentinian station.
With over 25years in the industry, DJ Ogawa’s passion has only intensified and looks forward to the journey ahead of creating new music and evolving with the ever changing music scene.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZGqpnAPTVw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zENVzldwxjQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgNDUysdEpQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8N987ZuvEE