DJ Mag Malaysia #002 DJ Mag Malaysia #002 | Page 20

Cover Story

T h e f o l l o w i n g y e a r, O l i v e r H e l d e n s m a d e t w o m a j o r a n n o u n c e m e n t s
that almost certainly took the industry by storm. He introduced
t h e a l i a s H I - LO o n h i s l a b e l H e l d e e p R e c o r d s . M i d 2 0 1 5 , t h e t ra c k
“Renegade Mastah” performed by HI-Lo was the first track to be
r e l e a s e d o n h i s l a b e l . H i s p r o j e c t H I - LO p r o d u c e s m o r e b a s s d r i ve n
beats that are darker that what is expected out of Oliver Heldens
h i m s e l f. I n a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h U K F, H e l d e n s e x p l a i n e d “ P e o p l e e x p e c t
a c e r t a i n s o u n d w h e n t h ey l i s t e n t o a r t i s t s . B y c r e a t i n g H I - LO i t g ave
me the freedom to work on a completely new sound. It gives me the
opportunity to show another side of me without letting having to
l e t g o o f t h e O l i v e r H e l d e n s s o u n d .” W i t h h i s n e w a l i a s a n d r e c o r d
label, Oliver Heldens was on an unbeatable high that only launched
f u r t h e r w i t h h i s c l i m b i n g 2 4 s p o t s t o n u m b e r 1 2 o f t h e D J M a g To p
100 poll in 2015.
F a s t f o r w a r d a y e a r l a t e r, O l i v e r H e l d e n s i s n o w l i v i n g t h e d r e a m a n d
while most 21 year olds are attending festivals and having career
c r i s e s , h e’ s b e c o m e a m a i n s t a g e m a i n s t ay a n d i s o n l y p r o p e l l i n g h i s
way higher in the dance music scene. Although his early success
s o m e t i m e s c o m e s w i t h d ra w b a c k w h e r e by H e l d e n s f e e l s l i ke h e’ s
missing out on doing things a normal 21 year old would do, his
schedule allows him to travel the world while doing what he loves
a n d t h e r e’ s d e f i n i t e l y n o s i g n o f r e g r e t s t h e r e .
2016 has kicked off with a bang with his collaborative track with
T h r o t t l e , ‘ Wa i t i n g ’ m a k i n g i t s w ay t o N o . 1 o n t h e B e a t p o r t ra n k s
t h a t w a s r e l e a s e d o n H e l d e e p r e c o r d s . A l o n g s i d e ‘ W a i t i n g ’, t h e
successful Shaun Frank and Delaney Jane collaboration ‘Shades of
Grey’ and Tiesto and Natalie La Rose track, ‘Ghost’ are only mere
e x a m p l e s o f w h a t t h i s y o u n g D J i s c a p a b l e o f. H e i s m e r e l y s e t t i n g
the tone for his highly awaited debut album that is a surefire chart
t o p p e r.
Regardless of his speed train to fame, Heldens has remained humble
and is taking everything in with stride. He is ready to take on
whatever comes his way and grapple the expectations and pressure
that comes alongside this career choice. He is most definitely
trailblazing his way into the industry’s hall of fame with his unique
blend of sound, relentless energy and a genuine love for his music.
There is no doubt that Oliver Heldens is at the forefront of future
house and is only just getting started.

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