DJ Amir
A deep crate aficionado and DJ, Amir is best known as half of the renowned duo Kon and Amir and as a member of the I Love Vinyl collective. Amir is also a deft businessman, having previously worked at such venerable labels as Fat Beats Records, Rapster/K7 Records, and as the label head of Wax Poetics Records. After years spent working for others, Amir founded his own label (180 Proof) in collaboration with Strata Inc.
The first release from Strata Inc. / 180 Proof records will be Kenny Cox’s Clap Clap! The Joyful Noise in November 2012. To take this project to the next level, Amir partnered with Barbara Cox, owner of Strata, to release never before music from the label. Using the original multi-track tapes, Amir will curate proper remixes, restorations and covers from the full label catalog. In other words, a full scope of sound, a full scope of history, and a fresh new sound for modern day audiences.
“My goal with Strata Records Inc. and the museum is to not only shed light on the wonderful music coming out of Detroit, but also to pay homage to the musicians that paved a way for the artists of today,” states Amir.
DJ Kon
Kon has been digging in crates since 1976, DJing since 1985, and spinning in clubs since 1991. He is one half of Kon and Amir, who released the acclaimed “On Track” and “Off Track” series on BBE Records where they introduced rare grooves to a new audience. His remixes of dance classics prompted Gilles Peterson to name him “Edit/rework King of 2011”, and feature him prominently on his BBC Radio shows.
Kon takes a more modest approach, noting that Kon is an acronym for “King of Nothing” amongst others, and seeks to place the love of music above his own work. The last of an increasingly rare breed of dedicated crate diggers, Kon has for years brought his deep knowledge of obscure goodies to clubs and festivals worldwide. He has also spread his gospel to the masses through critically heralded releases on such respected imprints as BBE, Rawkus, and Fondle Em. Beyond collecting vinyl and re-editing classics, he has been part of Boston’s Hip-Hop community for nearly 30 years, and has preserved the development of it as a true culturist. Most people know him as just a DJ, but he has history as a writer, music producer, and bboy.
In the studio, Kon has positioned himself at the forefront of a group of multi-track collectors who posses digital versions of the original recording sessions of some of pop music’s greatest artists. This resource along with Kon’s vast knowledge of music has resulted in his creation of some of the most dance floor friendly edits and remixes today. His productions and mixes have caught the ear of taste makers such as Gilles Peterson, Soul Clap, Jazzanova, Dâm-Funk, Rich Medina, Jacques Renault, and King Britt to name a few.
Kon’s 2012 releases on Basic Fingers, Hands of Time, and Future Classic have charted number one on Juno. His new collaboration with the Whiskey Barons called Nite Time resulted in the highly acclaimed Jive Talk EP. In addition to two new 12 inch releases, a European tour in July capped off by an appearance at Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Festival, and the highly anticipated release of Sir Own’s (Cerrone) Hooked, this is shaping up to be an extremely busy summer for the disco don.
