Fans of internationally renowned house DJ and producer Funkerman might be surprised to learn that house music wasn't always his thing. When the young Dutchman by the name of Ardie van Beek started out as a wee DJ some 20 years ago, he was consumed by the sounds of American hip-hop, such as Public Enemy and Eric B. & Rakim.
A great deal has come to pass since then, including a slew of international hits and the formation of Flamingo Records with friend Raf and fellow DJ/producer Fedde le Grande. Next up for Funkerman: the April release of his new album, House for All, which promises to be pioneering. "To innovate, you need to take risks, and that's exactly what I did on this album," Funkerman says. "House is my religion, but I don't want to be a prisoner of my own style."