Dejan Klemenc is ‘kLEMENZ’ a Croatian born Slovenian DJ/Producer, radio host and owner of Afreeka Records music label. Dejan’s clever weaving of multiple genres is the trademark of his sets,sweeping soulful, disco-tinged house, blend effortlessly through melodic tech, accumulating in well thought out deep tech. His sound changed since he has returned from 2018 South African Tour with Soundwave Radio and his passion is articulated inhis unique energetic, melodic distinguished afro house sound.
After 6 consecutive years as an executive producer, editor and host of LIVE radio show called ˝AFTERDARK house with kLEMENZ˝ on London based Fm station Soundwave Radio,
he decided to follow his afro house passion and joined the awesome dj rooster under the cover of the world’s main afro house station Drums Radio (www.drumsradio.com) with his LIVE show named “AFREEKA with kLEMENZ” scheduled on Mondays 16:00 GMT (17:00 CET).
The man says about himself: “Ever since I’ve first heard an underground tune in 90`s on House FM radio, played by one of first (if not the first) HOUSE DJ in Slovenia BORU TI,I fell in love in those rhythms and sounds. That’s why I started to put tracks together to present music with soul closer to people, to arouse same feelings and joy, that I feel playing those tracks. There is no better feeling in a world then be connected with crowd and feel that same special moment together!”
Dejan set the bar higher taking his ‘kLEMENZ’ branding to the live stage. Clever combinations of his electronic rhythms, complemented with instrumental and vocal inserts add a new and exciting dimension to kLEMENZ’s already impressive performance.
kLEMENZ has played in the majority of the established clubs across Slovenia with his residency in Austrian “posh” LUX Night club in Villach, he emerged on international scene and has also been booked as far away as South Africa with several tour dates across the country from Pretoria, Johannesburg to Durban.
When asked of his motivation behind performing kLEMENZ said: “Ever since I first heard an underground house tune in 90`s played by one of the first (if not the first) house DJ in Slovenia – BORU TI, I fell in love with those rhythms and sounds. That’s why I began my DJ journey in the late 90’s. I had a simple mixer, two tape recorders, and a basic PA system playing large private parties. Just to be able to present my music to people in a way that made them connect right through to their soul was the best feeling in the world! There is no better feeling in a world than that connection, to be able to FEEL that same special moment together is simply magical!!!”
kLEMENZ has been co-promoting a successful brand and underground event “zYpper” throughout Slovenia, which has gained a loyal and trusting following wherever they go. In 2018 he got involved also in a project “OG – Oldies Goldies” in club Mansion -Celje (Si)”.
Apart sharing stage at mayor open air event in Slovenia “Nature Sound Festival” with Marko Nastić and Uto Karem, kLEMENZ has also appeared with his long time idol Paolo Barbato (IT), Aleksij (SI), Dave Manali (IT), Dj SIlvain, Veztax and South African stars such as Casper Nyovest, Dj Crooks, twin brothers duo “Major League Djs”, Dyrho, Bouks, Gravity and First Lady… kLEMENZ was honored to be heard on US based radio hosted by DJ CLASH, sharing waves with legendary Tony Humphries, Todd Terry and his long time idol Louie Vega.
kLEMENZ has taken some time off playing out to focus on his own productions, with early success with clever bootlegs on a number of platforms and even releasing his remix on a compilation on the French record label “Disco Balls” Na Na Na by Jerem A. It was soon time for Dejan to push out his own music. It quickly found a home on the established US independent record label “Next Dimension Music” home to the likes of legendary Eddie Amador, Doc Link, Megamen NYC, William Rosario and Robb Swinga, support for the label has grown with Todd Terry taking a keen interest in all releases. One of kLEMENZ’s tracks “My Love for you” was selected by the label to appear as part of a compilation HELP to HEAL, raising funds for the victims of hurricane ‘Maria’ in Puerto Rico. Never the less, kLEMENZ established everlasting bonds with South African djs & producers from 2018 SA tour, which resullted in various colaborations starting with Letuna Entertainment producers team La Snow, Scarface and a release of “Ukukhanya” which were a big success in South Africa, especially after releasing a video for the track. A track “KEVO” produced in collaboration with NXOMS – a dj and producer from Botswana, released on Rotation Records Africa as part of his album ” HIMALI“, was also fruitful move for Dejan`s career as a music producer.
If kLEMENZ hasn’t been busy enough he has also started a brand new project with artists from new jazz band “Jazoo” Matjaž Mlakar and Tomaž Pačnik, inspired by the work of his longtime idol Louie Vega. The project will include live instruments mixed with electronic beats and sounds, expressing kLEMENZ’s passion and inner feeling for ‘Live’ music. They named a project “KROMATIK” and presented a result of their creativity at FASHION SHOW Slovenj Gradec with prominent Slovenian fashion designer Stanka Blatnik
Radio is his next big passion! After 6 consecutive years as a producer, editor and host of LIVE radio show called ˝AFTERDARK house with kLEMENZ˝ on London based Fm station Soundwave Radio, he decided to follow his afro house passion and joined the awesome dj rooster under the cover of the world main afro house station Drums Radio (www.drumsradio.com) with his LIVE show named “AFREEKA with kLEMENZ”. On Saturdays u can find him co-hosting the show “Do it for radio heads.” on WEST SIDE Fm in Johannesburg (SA). kLEMENZ has also secured further radio play with a guest resident on AEGEAN LOUNGE radio, broadcasting from Spain and Greece, he has also regularly been invited to record exclusive mixes for DJ CLASH and his show on ‘WQFS 90,9 FM’ a mainstream radio station broadcasting from the US (NC). Further guest slots have come in the shape of Paris’ ‘SOULSIDE RADIO’ and ‘Ibiza Live radio’ and all the way to South African BAY FM 107,9 FM and live appearances on previously mentioned WESTSIDE FM 98,9 in Johannesburg (SA).
Never the les, you can find his shows charted 1st place in various Mixcloud charts.
Apart producing and spending all free time in studio, kLEMENZ has launched his own record label called after his radio show “AFREEKA RECORDS”, due to a vast demand for promoting music. coming from amazing pool of African artists, producers, musicians… and he is compiling a compilation with South Africa’s internationally established label Gruv Manics Digital. Invitation came at right time, when all those years of global networking with prominent djs & producers will bring forth the fruits on this worldwide project, connecting top African producers with Europe’s, USA & Asia’s finest.
Dejan and his increasingly popular kLEMENZ branding have an exciting year ahead, with his own productions gaining momentum and the recognition they deserve, several of his own productions earmarked for reputable labels, and several bookings in the pipeline despite current hard times in music industry, 2022 will be a big year for kLEMENZ.