Parisian house hero WLAD gives us a hedZup on music
WLAD might be a new name to many of us, but the Parisian DJ/producer is one of an exciting new guard of French house music artists to set dance floors on fire over the last few years.
His record label hedZup has been going from strength to strength since it’s inception in 2015 and he has started 2023 in fine form with the release of his new album Kiss dropping at the end of last month on the imprint.
The long player finds him collaborating with a selection of house music’s finest contemporary producers, including Oden & Fatzo, iO (Mulen), Luca Donzelli, De La Swing, DJ Steaw, Mancini, MADVILLA, Project89, Theos and KONG.
We caught up with WLAD and to mark the release of Kiss he talked us through a playlist of his favourite tracks from hedZup including tracks from his new album.Listen and read what he had to say about the music below.
WLAD & Luca Donzelli – Señor Espresso
Luca is the resident dj of Amnesia in Ibiza and is a very good friend. We produced this track as a one shot and it’s one of my favorite tracks from my album “KISS”. I play it in each of my DJ sets. A must have.
WLAD & MADVILLA – Nu Phase
This was also just released on my new album “KISS”. This track with MADVILLA is a real wonder. It mixes grooves, super catchy melodies and well-rounded bass. The break with the sirens really transports us to the street. A big underground track already playlisted by some of the the biggest djs.
WLAD & Mancini – Sparkling Water
This track is in collaboration with my label partner Mancini. Released on my first collab album and it’s a marvel. It does not leave me when I travel, I play it very often even after these years. There is the fusion of the two bosses of the label and that is quite rare.
Rossi. – Khimbo
Rossi is a very good friend, and we invited him to play live in our Parisian radio residence. We offered him to participate in the special vinyl compilation of 5 years and he accepted without hesitation. A few days later he sent me this track and I immediately felt the potential. It went to 1st on all the charts. A real bomb for the dancefloors.
Niko Maxen – Babylon
One of my favourite artists on the label. Niko has released often on the label but this Babylon track is the biggest banger. Putting this track in your dj set is quite simply taking the crowds to other horizons. It could last twice as long and we would still like it
Stephan Bazbaz – Damage
Stephan has a very special touch. He has both mixed grooves and melancholic melodies while keeping a dancefloor on side. This track is perfect at the beginning of a party or in the after hours.
DJOKO – Wrecked
Probably the best track my friend DJOKO released on my label. Powerful and captivating, it gradually raises the energy when played. Difficult to pick just one out of all of them, but this one remains my favourite.
Mehlor – Cyclops
One of the very first digital releases of the label, this track is an extract from a very qualitative English EP. Timeless, the Cyclops is a real treat and I like to play it again from time to time.
Chris Stussy, Toman – Ardent
Quite rare to have the two together, we are delighted to have been able to release this track bringing together the two Dutch phenomena of the scene. This deep track is perfect to include in all your sets and at any time.
WLAD – Star System (Vitess Remix)
Le Parisien Vitess made us a big remix of my vinyl original. It’s a perfect dance floor banger to get all your hands up in the air.