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DJ Mag Top100 DJs
32
Ummet Ozcan
9

Unlike some of his peers, Ozcan Ummet is not afraid of hard work. It’s this hard work that’s kept fans around the world happy via regular appearances in the United States, Asia and Europe. It’s no wonder they keep voting him into the upper reaches of the Top 100. 

Ummet’s diary has been as packed as ever this year, with several lengthy solo club tours being supplemented by no less than 17 headline appearances at festivals in Europe, Asia and the United States. These include triumphant appearances at Dance Valley and Tomorrowland, two of Europe’s biggest and most vibrant events. 

Despite almost constantly being on the road, Ummet has somehow found time to re-build his studio — and renovate his home, somewhat surprisingly — as well as offer up a couple of typically kaleidoscopic and thumping singles on his Oz Records imprint. More excitingly for those who love his sound and make music themselves, his long-promised Genesis Pro VST soft-synth has finally been completed; it should go on sale in early 2020, some eight years after he first announced it online.

Do you submit your DJ setlists to the relevant royalties collecting society?

“Yes, though it’s quite hard to keep up because my sets change a lot and are quite dynamic. We should make the process easier.” 

What more can we do to combat the mental health crisis in our scene?

“Every DJ is more or less in control so when you think it gets too much, you can just take a step back. There is a lot of complaining going on but you never hear stories about them partying too hard. It all adds up.” 

Are you personally doing anything to improve the gender balance of line-ups?

“I’m an advocate of having more female DJs in the scene, but in the end, it’s the promoters’ choice.” 

What changes have you made this year to be more environmentally friendly?

“I believe it’s an ongoing process to keep the environment clean. When I see opportunities to do something that will help to achieve this goal, I will do it without hesitation.” 

What was your favourite toy when you were a kid?

“I played a lot with nunchucks as I was a huge fan of the Bruce Lee movies.” 

What’s your guilty pleasure?

“Damn, cheesecake!”