Not less than eight years have passed since we last spoke to critically acclaimed promoter Robbi... As he is celebrating 30 years in the business this month, this is the perfect moment to reach out to the man who promoted many legendary events and tracks in his illustrious career.
For 30 years, Robbi has been treating promoting as an art form, and he puts his heart and soul into every aspect. His innovative and evolving marketing strategies, captivating social media posts and engaging content truly captures the essence of events which generates significant buzz among the target audience. In a manner that has brought mass attention to DJ's, events, clothing, and music. Robbi was voted promoter of the year for five consecutive years.
Question: Against all odds, you've been doing what you're doing for an unbelievable three decades… We asked you this question in the past, but still we wonder: What keeps you going, what motivates you?
Answer: First the music!! Back while I did heavy distribution of out flyers downtown I played music on Walkman/CD Player. Since the business moved to computers I sit here all day and listen to hundreds of DJ mixes while pushing events and releases... Then the research and skill I put into promoting... I see it like this, if some DJ's have a distinct and attractive style I can do the same with promoting... and last, the freedom of working on my own time - I can sleep all day then get a lot done within 3 hours.
Question: Reflecting on your early days as a promoter, how would you compare club life then and now...
Answer: Club life in the early days was most about the connection with crowds to DJ's - no phones for folks to take pictures throughout a party... Just a whole night of raw fun. There were also once restrictions (and a long list of them) in clubs... With the high cost of living today, venue owners then some of 'us', in order to preserve this fragile culture and for other reasons, now see things as a business so a lot of the good underground events are now held in trendy venues.
Question: What do you expect for club life in the future?
Answer: That's interesting... Since real estate policies are becoming more tough with time we are starting to see less clubs in a lot of cities... and it with all computers, TV, apps, phones, games and other stuff there's most definitely a decline in people who party on a weekly basis.
Question: Last time we interviewed you was before the world was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. From one day to the next, night life as we know and love, was shut down completely. How did this affect you personally?
Answer: It was a weird time and didn't affect me much. The Chosen Few DJ's, DJ Emmaculate and David Morales had six Twitch shows total a week I worked with, plus the promoting of record releases kept on.
Question: Obviously, the NYC club scene came to a halt due to the pandemic. What is the state of the scene today, did it fully recover?
Answer: Of course not... there's now only two or three venues in NYC but many spaces exist in Brooklyn now.
Question: During the pandemic, quite a lot of DJ's started to stream from home on Twitch as they could not play out in clubs, and many still do it today. Do you feel this is a good platform for aspiring DJ's to showcase their talent and find an audience, or is more of a medium for established DJ’s who can monetize their fame?
Answer: It's a great platform for DJ's to show talent. I know a few DJ's who now have booming careers from their hard work on Twitch... and for a medium for established DJ's who can monetize their fame, yes.
Question: Speaking of aspiring DJ’s, any tips how they can get themselves known in today’s digital age?
Answer: Try to be distinct selection wise, there's tons of good music out there, no need to be a sheep and repeatedly play the same 30 records thousand others are already playing unless you're happy being stuck with the same 13 people total that show up to hear that shit... Do all this while building followers on social media... Have a thick skin and care less about a few people that don't like your DJing... .and be a nice guy that part works in todays world.
Question: The Winter Music Conference (WMC) is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, although I’m not sure it is even taking place as there isn't really any information out there… Anyway, the Miami Music Week is scheduled for March 19 to March 24. Do you think these conferences still have a place in today’s world?
Answer: Good question - so far it doesn't look like WMC 35th Anniversary is happening... It wouldn't make sense to now because theres 11 pages of parties on the Miami Music Week (MMW) schedule... and yes, music conference in Miami most definitely still have a place in todays world.
Question: Will you be in Miami this year, any events (you promote) that people should attend if they make it down to Miami?
Answer: I'll be in Miami but so far no events to promote.
Question: There are many other conferences nowadays – are there any particular ones you would recommend?
Answer: Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) in Amsterdam.
Question: Social media has become an integral part of today’s society, especially with the younger generations. How important is being present on social media for your work as promoter?
Answer: Oh it's very important.
Question: When I last interviewed you in 2016, you said you still print flyers. Are flyers still a thing in 2024, or has promoting become a ‘digital only’ thing with the focus on social media?
Answer: It's become digital only for me... funny as disciplined as I was I always hated moving flyers.
Question: What recommendations do you have for anyone wanting to break into the promoter business?
Answer: First, live, love and learn as much history as possible when it comes to the product or music. Second, be very humble. Third, for the new folks (not just promoters in house music), please avoid spending all day making posts, coming off like you're god's gift to house music and avoiding publicly validating talented people who've been here way longer than you have. You look stupid doing it. As for actual promoting, you make the rules. Be very creative, do research and come up with formulas. It all starts with common sense. Last, avoid coming off like you're desperate to get ahead. You're gonna wear yourself right out of business. Getting ahead takes time. Folks need to see more work, and less attitude.
Question: As you celebrate 30 years as a promoter: any festivities planned that people in and around NYC should know about?
Answer: Yes, working on it.
Question: Anything else you would like to share with us?
Answer: Find me on Instagram, on Facebook, and
Thanks a lot for taking the time to answer our questions. Photo credit: Chris Jung