Wiwek

Holland’s Wiwek is an in-demand DJ and producer known for his cutting-edge electronic-based dance music he dubbed “jungle terror.” Born Wiwek Mahab into an Indian family, Wiwek grew up in a small town in the Netherlands, where he was exposed to music early on by his father, a traditional Indian musician. However, by his teens Wiwek was already listening to a heavy diet of electronic dance and trance music. Around this time, he also began experimenting with making his own tracks. Influenced by his Indian upbringing, he started mixing in samples of traditional hand drums and steel drum kicks alongside more standard EDM sounds. It was while uploading his songs online and searching for an applicable genre that he came up with the term “jungle terror.” The sound, and the term, quickly caught on as Wiwek built a loyal online following. By 2011, his tracks were getting included on playlists by Tiësto, Fedde Le Grand, and others. Also around this time, he released several cuts on Tocadisco’s Toca45 label, including “Koala” and “Bomber Squad,” and produced an official remix of Buraka Som Sistema’s “Hangover.” In 2012, he joined producer Gregor Salto to form the RIMBU label, releasing the single “Angry Birdz,” followed by “On Your Mark.” Since then, Wiwek has released tracks on a bevy of labels including, among others, Spinnin Records, Mad Decent, and Barong Family. He is also an in-demand live DJ, with appearances at such festivals as Ultra Miami, EDC Vegas, Electric Forrest, Fuji Rock, Parookaville, Tomorrowland, and others. Wiwek signed to Skrillex’s OWSLA label in 2016 and released the EP The Free & Rebellious. ~ Matt Collar