Daniel Haaksman is a German DJ, producer, journalist and label executive based in Berlin. He is the founder of Man Recordings and is also associated with Essay Recordings, which he runs from 1997 to 2004.

Music and DJ work

Haaksman plays club-oriented sets that draw on baile funk, hip hop, house, electro, Baltimore club, kuduro and dancehall. His work centres on dancefloor-focused rhythm and remix culture, and he is known for combining Brazilian and other global club styles.

Labels and releases

He compiles the mix series Dub Infusions and More Dub Infusions, released on Best Seven and Sonar Kollektiv, as well as the compilation albums Rio Baile Funk Favela Booty Beats and More Favela Booty Beats on Essay. After leaving Essay Recordings, he launches Man Recordings in 2005.

On Man Recordings he releases Nao Wave - Brazilian Post Punk 1983-1988, starts the vinyl series Funk Mundial and Baile Funk Masters, and issues a range of releases linked to baile funk and related rhythm experiments. His label also commissions tracks and remixes from artists including Crookers, Diplo, Count+Sinden, Bonde Do Role and Scottie B.

Collaborations and remixes

With his brother Felix, he produces official remixes under the name Haaksman+Haaksman for Ray Barretto, Gotan Project, Shantel, Tosca, Munk, OMFO, Nickodemus, Boban Markovic Orkestar, Stereotyp and others. As a solo remixer, he also works on Waldemar Bastos and Madera Limpia in 2008.

Baile funk projects

Haaksman helps bring Brazilian MC Edu K and Rio-based MC Gringo to wider international attention. In April 2008 he releases Rio Baile Funk Breaks with DJ Sandrinho and DJ Beware, described as a turntablist album dedicated to baile funk. He also releases his debut EP, Whos Afraid Of Rio?, and works on Bossa Do Morro, a remix compilation marking the 50th anniversary of bossa nova and featuring baile funk DJs and producers from Rio reworking classic bossa nova songs.

Writing

Outside music production and DJing, Haaksman writes for German magazines and newspapers including Tagesspiegel and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.