In this series, we take a look at DJs that are #1 for some reason. In the second edition we are taking a peak into the life of DJ UMEK! Uroš Umek aka DJ Umek is remarkable for being the #1 DJ out of the East-European country Slovenia and the #1 DJ in the techno genre.

Slovenia isn’t only known for beautiful women and great skiing resorts – it’s also famous for a thriving party scene and especially techno and tech house music. To get an idea how popular techno is in this place, we can use really great features at The Official Global DJ Rankings – browsing the rankings by genre/country and checking out the country's individual TOP DJs rankings. If you look here, you can see that Valentino Kanzyani, Umek’s good friend and co-founder of their label Recycled Loops, is also a techno lover and the 3rd best DJ out of Slovenia. However, what’s really astonishing is the fact that – 31 of 50 best DJs out of Slovenia play techno or tech house!

And the #1 DJ out Slovenia, DJ Umek, tops the techno genre, being on 23rd spot in The Global DJ Rankings. Umek is just ahead of legends Carl Cox and Richie Hawtin, who are also categorized under the same genres.

Check out the interview discussing Umek's backround with Techno Heavyweights Carl Cox & Umek:

Born on May 16, 1976 in Ljublana, Umek started to DJ in 1993 at a relatively young age of 17. So the Slovenian techno powerhouse has produced and played techno for almost 20 years now! He’s had a huge role in the innovation of techno music. Umek is known for using 4 turntables at the same time during his live sets! Not only inspiring countless techno DJs, he also publishes their work under his imprint 1605. It’s introduced as follows:

„Designed as unique integral researching platform for studio sound experimenting, stage performances and multimedia presentation of new sonic structures, the 1605 Music Therapy also appears in a form of a music label. Its whole purpose is to support the artists in spreading their creative output in the both music universes, analog and digital one.“

Before establishing 1605 in 2007, Umek had already started Recycled Loops and Consumer Recreation in 1999. In addition, he also participated in the creation of the label Astrodisco in 2006. Besides running multiple labels, Umek does over 100 gigs per year, making him one of the busiest techno DJs around there. Besides releases under his own labels, he’s also give out productions under labels like Toolroom, Spinnin, Great Stuff and Intec. Latest track he put out, he did with Siwell and released under the label 1605 (listen and read about it here).

Listen to one of the best techno tracks of year 2010, ’Back In the Race’ by Umek and Beltek.

Umek’s been a guest at all the prominent world stages and festivals, he’s been setting trends for not only in Slovenia but the whole world. Nowadays, he keeps on touring, but also mixing for his weekly radio show ’Behind The Iron Curtain With Umek’. A man remarkable for many things, Umek continues to rock the crowds showing no signs of letting up after 20 years. Besides the priceless contribution to electronic music, he's also contributing to those in need with his annual charity event calles 'Party With Cause'. Another annual get-together takes place on Umek's birthday, on 16th May – it is called the 'Day of Electronics'.The end of year 2012 has him touring in Europe. And if the world doesn't end in December, he shall rock your world for many years to come…

Listen to the latest ’Behind The Iron Curtain With Umek’ episode 70 below.