I'm A House Gangster presents The Gangstercast

Italian but raised between United States and South America, S!LK is our guest for episode 17 of the Gangstercast.

Starting his house music career as a producer in 2012 his debut 'Warning EP' was released on one of the most exiting deep house labels, Plastic City. With further releases on DJ Sneak's Magnetic Recordings, Seamless and Elite, as well as upcoming projects for Luna Records, Moodmusic and a vinyl-only project for Seemless Deep, 2013 has been going off with a bang. S!LK can’t be pigeon-holed in any particular genre of house music, but his style is guided by deep and old school influences. Everything he makes in his studio is from scratch and there is never a ready-made sample in sight. While DJing, S!LK's style is more powerful, techy and groovy, while retaining the deep and soulful attitude.

S!LK says that his mix for the Gangstercast features, "Only my favorite and most played tracks. Is me and my dirty 909 house side. I was talking with Sneak on Skype from the record store where I was looking for some vinyl - I spotted what I love and it was easy to simply play what I was feeling the most. I recorded it after a night out with the House Gangster Family in Miami in my mind. I was in a very good mood poolside playing these beats with friends and the girl next door called the cops for the loud volume! I explained to the cop that came "I'm a House Gangster!!""

Asked about being a House Gangster, S!LK replies, "It means House Family, and it absolutely means quality people with the right attitude to quality sound. House music means a lot to me. Let's just say that it saved my ass many times in past and is there bright in front of me for the future."

WOW! Gangstercast 16 is quite the special treat from Ibiza-based Mo'funk. 56 tracks of Gangster flavoured house, hip hop and party jams expertly squeezed into two hours. And if that wasn't enough Mo'funk's production and DJ sidekick Sergio Selim (aka Don Dolla) also showcases his talents on the Talkbox!

Speaking of the mix, Mo'funk says, "It's a great opportunity to flex my range as a DJ. I'm not one to be pigeonholed into any particular sound, this mix shows the lengths I've gone to to select music from the years that have the 'gangster touch'. When it comes to a mixtape, I got that game locked! After all, its how I first met Sneak back in 2006 at a friends BBQ in San Francisco. Our Mergio tracks are now up and available for free download. 2 free EP's and 1 more to come next month (go to www.soundcloud.com/themergio) We've taken the elements of G-Funk and have made some fresh new sounds - a 100% dedication the sounds of the G! Gangster Boogie from the heart."

"I made this mix a little different to the regular Gangstercast sessions. As a versatile DJ I have to go back to my roots on this mix, for me, the Gangster movement started way back in the funk and boogie days of the late 70's and 80's with cats like Roger Troutman, George Clinton, Prince etc. I'm a huge fan of the G-Funk movement in Hip-Hop from the 90's and I certainly pay tribute to the artists that made those classics like Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, DJ Quik and all the legends in the gangster Hip-Hop movement. Of course there is sounds from the 80's Boogie era, classic Chicago House, and current House jams that have that element of the G. Expect to hear scratching, juggling, looping and all the techniques of what a real DJ is supposed to do!"

Mo'funk is a House Gangster through and through, with a deep rooted love of real, raw House music. "Being a House Gangster is about having a true love for House music, its about standing up for what's right in a genre thats been tarnished so much lately from commercial acts wanting the $. House music is a feeling, that feeling you get when your entire body just wants to move, you feel it inside your soul, your whole being just wants to groove! House music is not a trend or fad, its a way of life! I will always be a G when it comes to showing people what real house music is. It has elements of times past, influenced by all the greats that have made an impact in the musical landscape, the kicks are big, the hats swing, the baselines are always deep and funky. Its that sound that you just want to snap your neck to. Its got the disco, funk, and soul sounds of yesteryear with the techniques and vibe of today."

For more on this House Gangster please visit www.mofunkthedj.com

1- MERGIO - Gangster Party2- Jam XL vs Too $hort- In The Trunk3- Barely Regal - Senor Groove4- Dj Rasoul - Get Down Wit Yo Bad Self5- J Paul Ghetto - Booty6- Dj Sneak - Truly Gangster7- Nick Jagger - Made Ya Look (Tripmastaz remix)8- Snoop Dogg - Ain't No Fun (Sergio Selim instrumental remake)9- Nate Dogg - I Need a Chick (dub)10- MERGIO - Gigolo11- Kurupt - We Can Freak It (instrumental)12- Kurupt - We Can Freak It (Lp version)13- The Dogg Pound - Respect14- Snoop Dogg - Ride On (instrumental)15- Mausberg & Dj Quik - I Can Feel That16- Dj Quik - We Came 2 Play17- Mack 10 - Only in California (instrumental)18- Jayo Felony - Whatcha Gonna Do (instrumental)19- Jayo Felony - Whatcha Gonna Do (Lp version)20- Eazy E - Boyz in the Hood21- NWA - Gangsta Gangsta22- Ice Cube - Steady Mobbin'23- The Notorious BIG - Going Back to Cali (instrumental)24- Zapp vs EPMD - More Bounce to the Ounce (instrumental)25- Stevie Wonder - Skeletons26- Fingerman - Move That Bottom27- George Clinton - Atomic Dog28- E-A Ski & E-40 - Gangsta Funk (instrumental)29- Zapp - Play Your Guitar30- Raydio - For Those Who Like To Groove31- Venice Beach - Waiting For You32- Andrei - Trippin' Out33- William DeVaughn - Be Thankful For What You Got (Aj mix)34- MERGIO - Got It Goin On35- Ed Wizard & Disco DoubleDee - On The One36- Andres - Just a Player37- Juan Laya - Sex Machine38- Funk The System - Terapeutica Do Grito39- Awon - Startime40- Alkalino - Rock Shock41- Zapp - It Doesn't Really Matter42- Magnetic Soul - Word Up43- Spirit Catcher - Rendezvous44- Brevil - Kinki Disco Training45- Prince - Head (Ghosts of Venice mix)46- Dj Dealer - Thru The Night47- Psychemagik - What a Funky Night48- Vanilla Ace - Rockin'49- Oliver Koletzki - Going Places50- Jean Claude Gavri - Sequential Beats51- Le Knight Club - Holiday On Ice 52- Wlll Monotone - Dem Mai Hoes53- MERGIO - Feel That Way Again 54- Mark Castley - So Called What55- Loco Dice - Pimp Jackson is Talking Now56- MERGIO - La Isla Bonita

Soydan joins us for episode 15 of the Gangstercast! While being born in Germany and now being based in Waterford, Ireland, Soydan’s roots are in Turkey. His musical influences are firmly rooted in Chicago and DJ/Producers like Gemini, Derrick Carter and of course DJ Sneak. After setting up Yakuza Recordings in 2006, Soydan quickly found favour with other Chicago jocks including Mark Farina and DJ Heather, who licensed his tracks, and he has gone on to work with some of the scenes top labels, including Guesthouse, Shak and Maracuja.

Soydan's mix comes straight from the dance floor and is his vision of the perfect party with a jacking house soundtrack. the tracks are mixed on the fly with no pre-planned selections. He's firmly behind the House Gangster movement and the important role it plays in, in his words: "educating some young people about house music". A true House Gangster himself Soydan says, "House music is in my life, all day, everyday, and also at night time in the studio". There's nothing left to add other than, TURN IT UP!

Joeski steps up for Gangstercast 14 while his 'NY Raw' release (produced with Audio KoDe) for our label continues to do damage on the world's dance floors.

The mix showcases Joeski at his best, with almost two hours of music including one of his favourite Latin infused summer joints. Joeski says he "went back to his roots" on the mix and that it "represents my culture and who i am as an artist". We hear that loud and clear at IAHG HQ! Talking about the I'm A House Gangster sound he says it's "raw, jackin, banging, hypnotic, deep in your face house music". We hear that loud and clear too!

Raised in Corona, a large Spanish area in the borough of Queens, New York, Joeski started playing house parties in 1989 and hasn't looked back since, staying true to the underground house sound throughout. Building his reputation in the early 90's at New York clubs and events like The Limelight, NASA, Save The Robots, The Chocolate Factory and Together he was soon touring the world. After building his studio and honing the craft of production at the end of the 90's, he exploded into people's attention with a series of tracks and remixes on Siesta, Tango, Electric Sol and more. He also launched his own label Maya Records, which was highly sought after from the early releases thanks to his collaborations as part of 6400 Crew and outings with Onionz and D'Julz. The label welcomed guests like Chus + Ceballos, Tony Senghore and Nick & Danny Chatelain.

The early success led to remix work for the likes of Sneaker Pimps, Dajaé, Delacy, Dirty Vegas, Medway and DJ Sneak, and collaborations with DJ Chus, John Creamer and Stephan K, Steve Smith (Dirty Vegas) and Matthias Heilbronn. The results have graced labels such as Hooj Choons, NRK, Ministry, Stealth and Junior Boys Own.

Born and raised in San Jose, California, Arturo Garces has been surrounded by dance music his entire life. The son of a serious collector of funk, soul and disco records, Arturo grew up listening to the roots of house music. These early influences are evident in his works as a DJ and producer today where his music has helped define the unique and emerging Silicon Valley sound.

Arturo has released music on both established & strictly underground labels including Robsoul, Cross Section, Magnetic Oomph, Smoke City Music, Subliminal Soul, Sneak Classics and many more, not forgetting releasing on and working as label manager for Jump Recordings, Beat Bum Music and Resource Records. He's also licensed tracks to high-profile compilations such as Fabric #62 mixed by DJ Sneak.

Regarding his Gangstercast, Arturo simply states that his mix is, "my vision of how a dance floor should get worked. The House Gangster sound for me is all about driving beats. A beat down if you will. It?s all about movement on the dance floor. I pretty much picked out some tracks that were moving me at the moment. If I was on the dance floor, this is what I would want to hear."

He's a devotee to the House Gangster ethos, "The House Gangster movement to me is all about keeping the true house sound alive. House Music has always kept me moving in the right direction. I live this day and night 24/7. It means the world to me."

"Thank you to my family and friends for the inspiration. Big ups to DJ Sneak and the IAHG fam for having me on the Gangstercast!"

As head of Boogiemonsterbeats Recordings, Salvatore Vitrano from Naples, Italy, has been making waves since 2011with his unrelenting, funky, jacking beats. His music has also appeared on fine labels such as Henry Street, Magnetic, Oomph and Ginkgo, picking up plays from the cream of the underground house crop. We're delighted to have this up and coming producer become a bonafide House Gangster as he joins us for his immense three-hour long Gangstercast.

Saltvatore says that the House Gangster movement represents his second family and, "the underground without compromises… House Gangster is devotion for the music." He continues, "for me, house music is continuous experimentation. This mix represents my passion for old school house music and nu-school jacking house."

"This mix is dedicated to my family who have supported me for years. Special shouts to Carlos Sosa, Magnetic, Oomph and the House Gangster familia all over the world."

Gangstercast 11 comes from one of the closest House Gangster's we've had since the movement started - Hector Moralez. Rising from Oakland, California, Hector Moralez has paid his dues by working tirelessly from the bottom up. Now in demand at clubs and events throughout the world, he is renowned for his intelligent and soul awakening house music. His music has been found on many stellar labels including Robsoul, Music For Freaks, Nightshift, Detour, Vista, Brique Rouge, Magnetic, Doubledown and Lowdown Music. His collaboration with Phil Weeks as Fries & Bridges caused a big stir in underground house circles and his latest collaboration with Chris Carrier as Lotus Seven was released earlier this year on hyped French imprint Apollonia. Hector also manages his own distinguished underground labels, Minority Music and The Factory.

Gangstercast 11 is a live recording of Hector in Northern Ireland: "I just played what I thought would keep the people on the floor non stop. The people were well up for it! They were ready to have a belter of a night. I played a couple of my own productions, tested some new tracks out and played one of the tracks off of the "Lotus Seven" album with Chris Carrier as well. It was a really great night, and I'm happy to be able to share it to everyone now through this podcast. I think people should listen to this mix, burn it for a house party with your best friends, at your mom's house, whatever, maybe even an after party, and just DANCE. Don't worry about what anyone else is doing. Just get down, and move, people!!"

A bonafide House Gangster from the start, Hector is well placed to give his take on how the movement has developed: It started out small and keeps on growing and growing! It's a way to support the people behind the brand, and show some love. We're all part of this dance music community and supporting each other, is the only way to keep it really alive. House is a minority in the big picture of EDM, Dance Music, whatever you wanna call it, so I think the HG sound is something you don't have to think about, it's always gonna be HOUSE. And hopefully the wide range of audiences will take the chance and see whats up with the soul and vibe that makes House Music one of the BEST."

Harry Romero: "What does house music mean to me? How do you describe something that is in your DNA? It's my first language."

And with that fine introduction, we are honoured and rather excited to welcome undisputed House legend Harry Romero to the Gangstercast. Harry has been at the top of his game for more than 15 years - as one of the founding fathers and most prolific artists on Subliminal Records, as well as the creator too many cross-over and underground hits to mention, he has raised the bar for prime time dance floor anthems again and again. He also just released the awesome 3 tracks EP 'Back From Saturn' on our very own I'm A House Gangster label.

We asked Harry about his Gangstercast: "This mix represents me as an artist because at the root of me is Chicago, NY, NJ, London, and Paris. The music I play can be attributed in one way or another to these seminal places that have been a huge part of the development of me and house music. The tracks chosen were to showcase the "BACK FROM SATURN" EP. Two of the three tracks are in the mix and it was important for me to paint a picture of what I would want to hear on a night out. It's not about hands in the air here, but it's more about getting back to dancing - isn't that part of the reason we go to night clubs?"

This ethos reflects the Harry Romero that can be found behind the decks all over the world every weekend: "The best form of flattery for me as a DJ is to have the people dancing. yes, hands in the air are cool too but it's all about sweating on the dancefloor."

Onto matters of what being a House Gangster is all about and Harry is down with the cause: "What House Gangster means to me is standing behind what you believe and staying the course no matter what. It means not selling yourself short or following the status quo. It means staying true to the essence of house music... the vibe and not the fashion. I would describe the House Gangster sound as pure groove. Not overdone. The few basic sounds the music contains is all you need to get your point across - it could be just a kick and a high hat but that kick and high hat is all you need to get that vibe across. It adheres to no formula and evokes a vibe from the days when this music was new and cutting edge. Everything is based around the beats. It's the antithesis to what is now called EDM, which is basically repackaged trance."

Born in 1977 in the UK town of Sheffield, Riki Inocente discovered House music after moving to London. After a few years of religious record buying he was playing the best underground parties in London - at Ministry of Sound, The Arches, The Aquarium, Limelight, The Gas Club and Bagley’s, as well as starting his own BIG parties. A spell in France led him to Phil Weeks and Robsoul Recordings who signed the track'Soultrain' for a sampler, which in turn led to hook-ups back in London with Hector Moralez, Chris Simmonds and Jordan Peak. Producing music with Darren Roach of EBM under the moniker Bluntz & Roachez, the duo have signed music to Sneak's Magnetic Recordings, remixed for DJ Sneak Classics and will release an EP for our very own I'm A House Gangster imprint.

Riki's Gangstercast saw him selecting tracks that best represent his own sound: "Deep, tribal, underground house with heavy b'lines and solid drums; Music that makes you move, and messes with your mind." Speaking of the House Gangster movement he says: "We are a family, I've met HG fam all over the world and the link between all of them is their love for good house music. It doesn't matter if you make, play, or just listen to it, too many people have devoted there lives to this scene through the years to let men in suits and their puppets take the name of our culture and try and cross brand it with a commercial euro pop sound. I ain't goin' to roll like that. And that's why I do what I do, and why House Gangsters all over the world are doin' it to." Amen to that!

Belgian DJ and producer Massimo DaCosta is responsible for episode 8 of the Gangstercast. Since the early 2000's Massimo and production partner Vernon Bara, under the name Vernon&DaCosta, have become one of the most prolific House duo's around with releases for top labels like OM, Yellow, Aroma, Robsoul, Amenti, DIY, AMA Rec, OFF and Icon. In 2010 they launched their own label Homecoming Music working with some of the world's finest underground house producers, and 2013 see's them launch a new alias 'Raw District' torelease their deeper and darker influenced House sound. When he’s not focusing his energy on studio work, Massimo can be found performing quality deep and house sets at his H20 residency in Belgium and all around the world.

Massimo says his mix for the Gangstercast is, "a perfect mixture of what I'm feeling and playing at the moment: deep or more punchy house tunes with a fine combination of white soul and black music." As with most of the Gangstercasts there was no huge pre-planning, Massimo just got in the mix and went with the flow. Of the end result he simply says, "I hope people will enjoy the mix as much as I did doing it."

Speaking of House music and the I'm A House Gangster movement he adds, "House Music is the only thing that can make you smile when you are all sad or tired. You know what I mean? … IAHG is more a movement than just a musical concept or a label. A lifestyle, a way to express love for true house music and for oldschool street and urban values. It's not about criminals or violence, it's a reaction against bad and crappy mainstream electronic music."