Corvin Dalek – Young People

Young People stands as a defining moment in my artistic journey, deeply rooted in the experiences of my first tour through Colombia in 2001. The track was inspired by the vibrant energy of the Colombian electronic music scene, which was just beginning to find its voice.

It all started with an invitation from Fabio Acosta, then EMI Music’s A&R Manager in Colombia, who had licensed my track Pounds & Pénz for the popular Afterparty Compilations. This marked the start of my connection with the Colombian crowd, who embraced the track with enthusiasm. The voice in Young People comes from an interview I recorded during this trip with Julio Montes, a Colombian artist and DJ. Armed with my trusty Sony Mini-DV handheld camera, I documented everything—from the buzz of the streets to the lush sounds of the Caribbean. This camera became my constant companion, capturing the spirit of Colombia in all its raw beauty: chirping insects, rustling palm trees, and the hum of urban life.

The Origins of Young People

Julio Montes and I shared a unique connection despite the language barrier. Our interview, though spontaneous and limited in vocabulary, captured the essence of the young generation in Colombia – one striving for a place in the burgeoning global electronic music scene. At that time, Colombia was shedding its infamous shadow and embracing cultural freedom under a more progressive government. Cities like Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Cartagena began to host some of the first electronic music events. The energy of the Caribbean, with its exotic landscapes and lively atmosphere, left a lasting impression on me.

In my Berlin studio, I revisited the recordings from Colombia and began crafting the track with Jan Kessler, a talented drummer and producer from Stuttgart. Jan added a driving percussive groove, which we layered with my signature Wet & Hard textures and the organic sounds of Colombian streets. The track was built using Logic 5 from Emagic, running on a synchronized G4 Mac and Pentium-4 PC network. Piece by piece, Young People came to life – a hypnotic fusion of Latino-Techno rhythms, bold basslines, and the atmospheric sounds of Cartagena. The voice of Julio Montes became the soul of the track, repeating a message that resonated deeply with the audience.

A Club Hit with a Message

Young People quickly became a staple in my DJ sets and a highlight of every party. Its raw energy and socially charged lyrics, touching on themes like marijuana and freedom, connected with audiences around the world. However, its explicit message made it unsuitable for mainstream radio. Instead, the track found its home in vinyl crates and underground clubs, where it lived on as an anthem for those seeking freedom and connection through music. In Colombia, Young People became my signature track. Fans often came to my gigs just to hear it and were sometimes disappointed if I didn’t play it. The ecstatic response it generated on the dancefloor was overwhelming and unforgettable.