Premiere: DJ Babatr ‘Las Lomas (Imaabs Remix)’

DJ Babatr, one of the pioneering DJs and producers behind the raptor house sound of Caracas, Venezuela, is reissuing two classic tracks from his discography, alongside a selection of remixes from a range of electronic artists. 

Set for release via Mexico’s Terminal label, the compilation includes 2002’s ‘Las Lomas’ and a collaboration with DJ Yoiser, ‘Fuma Con Los Panas’, as well as 19 remixes from artists based around Latin America and beyond, including BADSISTA, Lao, Kode9, Florentino, Logos, Sha Sha Kimbo, Imaabs, Aggromance, Safety Trance, El Plvybxy Merca Bae, Kablam and quest?onmarc. 

DJ Babatr, who started DJing in the ‘90s, produced ‘Las Lomas’ as an ode to the barrio of the same name in Caracas, where massive street parties used to take place. At that time, DJs would play on mobile sound systems, minitecas. It was at parties like these that raptor house – a fast, raw and syncopated blend of ‘90s eurodance, house and techno with percussive elements of Afro-Venezuelan music  – was born, one of several styles to develop under the wider umbrella of changa tuki. 

DJ Babatr made waves on a global scale last year after collaborating with Miami’s Nick León on the summer festival smasher, ‘Xtasis’, which DJ Mag premiered in July and named as one of its tracks of the year.

‘Las Lomas & Fuma Con Los Panas Remixes’ is a celebration of one of South America’s most influential underground dance music artists, with some of the continent’s most exciting contemporary stars putting their own spin on his trailblazing productions, alongside some artists from further afield. 

Mexico-based Chilean artist Imaabs – whose previous releases have appeared on labels such as NAAFI – douses the original mix in distortion, its animated drums given an added dose of thunder, taking it off the streets and into a dark, sweaty, strobing basement. 

‘Las Lomas & Fuma Con Los Panas Remixes’ will be released on 16th June. Pre-order it here.