Arkoss

Arkoss is a London-based house and underground dance music DJ, producer and event organiser. He grows up in a musically active family, with professional singer and musician cousins and a father who plays drums in a band. His father takes him to weekly band rehearsals, where he plays keyboards and guitar, and also teaches him and his younger brother to play drums in the family barbershop, which has a drum kit at the back.

At 16, Arkoss discovers underground dance music and becomes involved in the rave scene through outdoor raves and illegal warehouse parties. He later starts organising his own raves and teaches himself to mix on Technics 1200 turntables with help from resident DJs.

He becomes active in the London underground music scene and hosts his own radio show for more than a decade on one of London’s major underground house stations. He also DJs regularly at London venues. One of his longest-running club commitments is a five-year residency at Funkinyou at Koko in London, where he performs for crowds of around 1,500 and shares a stage associated with artists including Coldplay, Madonna, Prince, the Chemical Brothers, Roger Sanchez and Justice.

As a producer, Arkoss works in the studio for several years before releasing music on his own label, Funkinyou Records. The label distributes through Beatport and iTunes. His releases include Basstrap and Strings From Underground, both of which receive support from major DJs. He presents his music, record label, events and DJ sets as part of his contribution to the scene.