Moti (DJ)

Last updated
Moti
MOTi @ Airbeat One.jpg
Moti performing at Airbeat One Festival 2016
Background information
Birth nameTimotheus Romme
Born (1987-03-23) March 23, 1987 (age 37)
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instrument(s)
Years active2008–present
Labels Spinnin' Records
Revealed Recordings
Musical Freedom
Doorn Records
Wall Recordings
Heldeep Records
Hexagon
Universal
Zero Cool Records
Website MOTiOfficial.com

Timotheus "Timo" Romme (born 23 March 1987), better known by his stage name Moti (stylized as MOTi), is a Dutch electro house DJ and music producer from Amsterdam. [1] MOTi's first release was "Circuits" in 2012, which was published on Afrojack's Wall Recordings. [1] By the end 2012, MOTi had been commissioned for official remixes of Flo Rida, Tiësto and Far East Movement. [1] MOTi frequently releases singles on Spinnin Records and Tiësto's Musical Freedom label; he has collaborated with artists such as Tiësto, Major Lazer [2] and Dzeko & Torres. [3] His 2014 collaboration with Martin Garrix, "Virus (How About Now)", reached No. 27 on the Dutch Single Top 100. [4] Frequently on tour, MOTi has performed at major festivals such as the Amsterdam Dance Event, [5] Creamfields UK, Nocturnal Wonderland and Tomorrowland. [2]

Contents

Early life

Timotheus "Timo" Romme was born on 23 March 1987 [6] in Amsterdam, Netherlands, where he spent his childhood. [2] He started learning mixing for fun after a friend sold him some turntables, and by the age of 18 he was deejaying. [5] Romme studied to be a fashion designer [5] [6] at The Hague in the Netherlands. [7] In 2015, he explained that "after a few years [at university], I noticed I liked music more than fashion. I don't really follow the trends." [7] MOTi started producing music in 2005, stating "the guys at the record store told me I couldn’t cut breaks out of records, so I decided to make my own music." He started his music career performing Dutch house with his cousin as a duo called Groovenatics. [8]

Music career

2007-12: "Circuits" and remixes

MOTi's first official release was the track "Circuits," a collaboration with Dutch DJ Quintino. Released through Afrojack's Wall Recordings [1] on April 16, 2012, [3] the track gained significant radio play on Radio 538 in the Netherlands, among other stations. [1] In September 2012, MOTi released "Kinky Denise," another Quintino collaboration published through Wall Recordings. [3] By the end 2012, MOTi had been commissioned for official remixes of Flo Rida, Tiësto, and Far East Movement. [1] Tiësto also added "Circuits" to his 2012 Dance RED Save Lives compilation, which resulted in Tiësto and MOTi connecting [9] through Twitter [8] and starting to collaborate. [9]

2013: Musical Freedom and Spinnin' Records

He released "Krack!", his first single through Spinnin Records, on March 8, 2013. [10] The electro house track [11] entered the Beatport Top 100. [10] Afterwards, MOTi released an official remix for "Next To Me," a single by Emili Sande. [11] MOTi's single "NaNaNa" with Alvaro was released through Hysteria Recs on June 3, 2013. [12] On June 25, 2013, he collaborated with Tiësto on "Back To The Acid," which would be his first release through Musical Freedom. [3] Stated MOTi about the track's effect on his career, "Tiësto has a really good feel of what he likes and there’s a lot of studio tricks on that track that people who don’t produce won’t even understand or hear. It was an important project to show my technical skills and, of course, a big audience got to see my name next to his.” [9]

MOTi remixed "Hello (MOTi Remix)" by the Stafford Brothers in 2013, which stayed at No. 1 on Beatport’s Hip Hop chart for around two months. [9] MOTi ended 2013 with several singles released on Spinnin, including "Dynamite" with Quintino in September, and "Heat It Up" in November. [3] "Dynamite" peaked at #10 on the Beatport Top 100. [9] He signed with Tiësto's Red Light Management at the end of 2013. [5] Shortly afterwards, he performed at an Amsterdam Dance Event Heineken showcase. [5] Stated MOTi about the performance, "that gig was the big turning point where it got serious. It felt natural. It felt like I’m meant to do this.” [9]

2014: "Virus" and touring

MOTi's track "Don't Go Lose It", released on February 10, 2014 through Musical Freedom, reached the Beatport Top 100. [13] The track was followed by the DVBBS collaboration "This Is Dirty" in April, [14] which peaked at #2 on the Electro House Chart. [2] The single was followed by the MOTi track "Crash" with Quintino in July, and "Zeus" with Kenneth G in September. [3]

After first befriending Martin Garrix in 2011, the two began collaborating on a new project in 2014. Explained MOTi, "I think we were on Skype and I was working on 'Virus,' and Martin really liked the first idea I had made and the melody of the drop. He added his sick breakdown to it, and we finished the track together." [8] October 2014 saw the release of "Virus (How About Now)" through Spinnin, which reached #1 on the Beatport 100. [15] The track also did well on international song charts, reaching No. 27 on the Dutch Single Top 100 chart, [4] No. 34 on Ultratop in Belgium, [16] No. 50 on the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique chart in France, [17] No. 94 on the GfK Entertainment in German, [18] and No. 24 on the Billboard Top Dance Songs chart. [2]

MOTi played at a number of electronic dance music festivals in the summer of 2014. [8] starting with Ultra Music Festival Miami. [2] In July 2014, he played at the Hakkasan club in Las Vegas, [6] while other gigs included Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas, [8] Creamfields UK, Nocturnal Wonderland, and Tomorrowland. [2] MOTi embarked on his #LION tour in November 2014, with plans to hit various North American cities [8] such as New York City and Los Angeles. It was his first tour as sole headliner. [19] MOTi's track "Lion" came out on November 17, 2014, [8] and was his last release for the year. [20]

2015–2018: Recent projects

MOTi continued to release singles on both Spinnin and Musical Freedom into 2015. His first single of the year, "Ganja," was a collaboration with Dzeko & Torres. [3] In February, MOTi and Tiësto released the collaborative single "Blow Your Mind", [3] which reached No. 1 on the Electro House Charts. [2] After the May release of "Valencia" on Musical Freedom, [3] singles he released that summer included "Spack Jarrow" with W&W and "Ghost in the Machine" with Jonathan Mendelsohn. [3]

He collaborated with Major Lazer on the song "Boom" later that year. Released through Mad Decent on November 20, 2015, the track included features by Ty Dolla Sign, Kranium & Wizkid. [2] According to DJ Mag , the track incorporates "dancehall, future bass and hip hop." [2] Also on November 20, 2015, MOTi released "Lost," a collaboration with Sander van Doorn on Spinnin Records. [3] MOTi premiered the track at EDC Las Vegas 2015. [7] In 2015, he was named to the DJ Mag Top 101-150 DJs 2015 list at No. 117. [21] MOTi was featured in the Bassjackers and Joe Ghost "On The Floor Like," which was released on March 25, 2016. [3]

2018–present: Zero Cool records

In November 2018, MOTi founded his own independent record label: Zero Cool. He wanted to create a more inclusive label, where popularity didn't come in the way of music:

"At some point it felt like I wasn’t producing the records I wanted to produce, but instead what the A&Rs wanted me to create. I think everyone has a moment in their career where you just want to create whatever you feel like creating, and for me this was it. On my label Zero Cool it doesn’t matter what the new trend or hype is, how big your Instagram or Spotify profile is… if it’s good, I’ll release it. That’s why it’s called Zero Cool, it’s for everyone!" [22]

One year after its creation, Zero Cool reached a 100 million streams on Spotify.

Musical style

External videos
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Sander van Doorn & MOTi - "Lost" Official Music Video - Jan 25, 2016

Incorporating diverse genres such as electro house, progressive house, hip hop, and others, MOTi has cited artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Alter Ego and Derrick May as musical inspirations. [5] About his musical intent, he stated in 2016 that "for the club tracks I just want people to have a good time and party to the music. For the slower tracks or less clubby tracks I hope people get carried away by it when they play it at home." [5]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardNominated workCategoryResult
2015 DJ Mag MOTi Top 101-150 DJs [21] 117

Discography

Further reading

Discographies

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hardwell</span> Dutch DJ and music producer

Robbert van de Corput, known professionally as Hardwell, is a Dutch DJ and music producer from Breda. He was voted the world's number one DJ by DJ Mag in 2013 and again in 2014. In 2022, he was ranked at number 43 in the top 100 DJs poll by DJ Mag. He is best known for his sets at music festivals, including Ultra Music Festival, Sunburn and Tomorrowland.

DubVision is a Dutch DJ duo from The Hague consisting of brothers Victor and Stephan Leicher signed to the labels Spinnin' Records, Armada Music and Axtone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Garrix</span> Dutch DJ and producer (born 1996)

Martijn Gerard Garritsen, known professionally as Martin Garrix and also as Ytram and GRX, is a Dutch DJ and record producer who was ranked number one on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs list for three consecutive years—2016, 2017, and 2018. He is best known for his singles "Animals", "In the Name of Love", and "Scared to Be Lonely".

Jobke Pieter Hendrik Heiblom, better known by his stage name Jay Hardway, is a Dutch DJ and music producer from Drunen, North Brabant. He is signed to Spinnin' Records. He is best known for his collaboration "Wizard" in conjunction with his fellow Dutch artist Martin Garrix. The 2013 single became an international hit charting in Belgium, France and the Netherlands.

Firebeatz is a Dutch DJ and music production duo consisting of Tim Benjamin Smulders and Jurre van Doeselaar. The duo formed in Tilburg in 2008, and gained fame in the EDM scene through their dance floor hits like "Dear New York", "Here We F*cking Go" and "Helicopter". The duo has since worked with well-known artists such as Calvin Harris, Tiësto and Martin Garrix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tujamo</span> German DJ and music producer

Matthias Richter, better known by his stage name Tujamo, is a German DJ and electro house music producer. Tujamo, along with Plastik Funk and Sneakbo, released the single "Dr. Who!", which peaked at number 21 on the UK Singles Chart. He also had a hit with Steve Aoki and Chris Lake, "Boneless", which charted at #49 on the German Singles Chart and #42 on the Austrian Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tremor (song)</span> 2014 single by Martin Garrix vs. Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike

"Tremor" is a song by Dutch DJ and record producer Martin Garrix and Belgian DJ duo Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike. The song was released by Spinnin' Records as the official 2014 anthem for Dutch dance event Sensation. It was released as a digital download on 20 April 2014 on Beatport and on 20 June 2014 on iTunes in the United Kingdom. The song debuted at number 30 on the UK Singles Chart, and also charted in Belgium, France and the Netherlands. It was written by Dimitri Thivaios, Martijn Garritsen and Michael Thivaios.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kshmr</span> American musician, songwriter, DJ, and record producer (born 1988)

Niles Hollowell-Dhar, known professionally as Kshmr, is an American musician, songwriter, DJ, record producer, former rapper, and singer. He was ranked 23rd on DJ Mag's 2015 Top 100 DJs poll and was awarded highest new entry for the year. In the same poll he elevated to 12th in 2016 and 2017, and again in 2020. He was ranked 11th in the same poll in 2021; and in 2022 in same poll he ranked 12. In July 2017, he launched Dharma Worldwide, a sublabel of Spinnin' Records. Kshmr performed live at many music festivals like Coachella, Tomorrowland, EDC, Ultra and Sunburn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dyro</span> Dutch DJ and record producer

Jordy van Egmond, known professionally as Dyro, is a Dutch DJ and EDM producer. Since 2010 he has released original singles and remixes on labels such as Revealed Recordings, Musical Freedom, and Def Jam, and has also released official remixes for tracks such as "Right Now" by Rihanna and "Iron" by Nicky Romero and Calvin Harris. He collaborated with Tiësto on a single titled "Paradise" in 2013, and also that year he collaborated with Hardwell on the single "Never Say Goodbye". Featuring Bright Lights, it peaked at No. 23 on the UK Dance Chart. In 2014 Dyro ranked No. 27 on the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs list.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bassjackers</span> Dutch music production and DJ duo

Bassjackers is a Dutch electronic music production and DJ duo consisting of Marlon Flohr & Ralph van Hilst. Flohr is the more outspoken member of the duo whereas Van Hilst takes care of "behind-the-scenes" production.

Jasper Helderman, better known by his stage name Alvaro, is a Dutch record producer, songwriter, and DJ. His music is mostly electro house and progressive house. He is best known for his single "Welcome to the Jungle", which reached #3 on the Beatport main chart in June 2013 on Hardwell’s Revealed Recordings. He also produced "The Underground" on Spinnin' Records and more recently "Guest List" on Tiësto's label Musical Freedom, all of which ended up in the top 5 of the Beatport top 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Hawkins (musician)</span> Musical artist

Mikkel Kauczki Cox, known professionally as Mike Hawkins, is a Danish musician, DJ and record producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jewelz & Sparks</span> German DJ and production duo

Jewelz & Sparks are a German DJ and production duo consisting of Julius Voigtländer and Gregor Brechmann that formed in 2011, and they are one of the most successful German EDM projects.

Kenneth Geoffrey Oudejans, better known by his stage name Kenneth G, is a Dutch DJ and record producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FTampa</span> Musical artist

Felipe Augusto Ramos, better known by his stage name FTampa, is a Brazilian DJ and record producer.

Dallas James Koehlke, better known by his stage name DallasK, is an American DJ, record producer, and singer based in Los Angeles. Active since 2010, he co-wrote and produced Fifth Harmony's 5× platinum single, "Work From Home," as well as their singles "Down" and "He Like That..." off of their self titled album. In addition, Dallas co-wrote and co-produced Lauv's singles "Sad Forever," and "Breathe" off Lauv's debut album. He has past cuts with Tiesto, Chromeo, Krewella, KSHMR, Terror Jr. Miquela, Joel Deleōn, Key & Stray Kids. He is also known for his collaborations with Hardwell and Tiësto: "Area 51" and "Show Me" are ranked first and third in the Top 100 on downloading platform Beatport. He is signed to Amigo Records and has had past releases with Musical Freedom, Revealed Recordings and Ultra Music.

Lukas Rafael Ruiz Hespanhol, known as Vintage Culture, is a Brazilian DJ and record producer. He had a great ascent of releasing remixes of songs like "Blue Monday" by New Order and "Another Brick in the Wall" by Pink Floyd. These songs went viral with his versions of "Bete Balanço" by Cazuza and "Bidolibido" by Fernanda Abreu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mesto</span> Dutch electronic musician, remixer and DJ

Melle Kiet Stomp, better known by his stage name Mesto, is a Dutch electronic musician, DJ, record producer and remixer. He gained recognition after collaborating with Martin Garrix on their single "WIEE".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Williams (DJ)</span> Dutch DJ and record producer

Mike Willemsen, better known by his stage name Mike Williams, is a Dutch DJ, record producer, musician, and remixer. He is best known for working with Tiësto and as an artist of Spinnin' Records, who recognised him as an "artist of the future". He is regarded as one of the pioneers of the future bounce genre, an emerging subgenre of future house, alongside Dutch DJs Brooks and Mesto and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garmiani</span> Swedish record producer

Jiar Garmiani, better known as Garmiani, is a Kurdish-born Swedish record producer and DJ. He has worked with Steve Aoki, Snoop Dogg, Salvatore Ganacci, Lil Jon and Sean Paul among others. He has also performed at music festivals such as Creamfields and Tomorrowland Mainstage.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Timo Romme biography". thedjlist.com / DJ Guide. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "MOTi & Major Lazer go BOOM". DJ Mag . December 1, 2015. Archived from the original on April 21, 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "MOTi discography". iTunes . Retrieved 2015-07-06.
  4. 1 2 "Discografie Moti". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "One-on-One with DJ and Producer Moti". MIX 247 EDM. March 10, 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  6. 1 2 3 Rilling, Deanna (July 30, 2014). "With MOTi's Arrival, Tiësto Continues to Import Talent to Hakkasan". Vegas Seven. Archived from the original on June 5, 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  7. 1 2 3 "Sander Van Doorn And MOTi Exclusive: DJs Talk New Song 'Lost' Released On Soundcloud, More". Fashion and Style. November 6, 2015. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Caruso, Chris (November 14, 2014). "The Lion: MOTi on New Single, Martin Garrix Collab, & Upcoming Projects". DJ Times. Archived from the original on August 29, 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "MOTi". Insomniac . Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  10. 1 2 "Krack!". Beatport - Spinnin Records. March 1, 2013. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  11. 1 2 "DJ Mag / Moonsplash: MOTi". Aquarius Zrce Beach. September 8, 2015. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  12. "Nanana by Alvaro, MOTI". Beatport - Hysteria Recs. June 3, 2013. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  13. "Don't Go Lose It by Moti". Beatport - Musical Freedom. January 27, 2014. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  14. "This is Dirty by MOTi and DVBBS". Beatport - Musical Freedom. April 14, 2014. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  15. "Virus by MOTi, Martin Garrix". Beatport - Spinnin Records. October 13, 2014. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  16. "Discografie Moti". ultratop.be (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  17. "Discographie Moti". lescharts.com (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
  18. "Martin Garrix (Single)". charts.de (in German). Media Control Charts. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
  19. Khawaja, Jemayel (November 20, 2014). "MOTi: "Tiësto Jumpstarted My Career After We Met on Twitter"". Thump . Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  20. "Lion by Moti". Beatport - Musical Freedom. November 17, 2014. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  21. 1 2 Rambaud, Ludovic. "Top 100 DJs 2015 : les 50 suivants (#101-#150) !" . Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  22. 1001Tracklists. "One Year In With Zero Cool Records". 1001Tracklists. Retrieved 2020-09-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)