DJ Raff is a Chilean DJ, beatmaker and producer, born in 1976. He first becomes active in Chile’s hip-hop scene and later moves into electronic composition, building a career that extends beyond Chile through work in Barcelona and London.

Early work and hip-hop roots

Raff, whose name is Rafael Pérez, founds La Frecuencia Rebelde in 1992 with Francisco Libuy. The pair start by working on basic ideas using a double cassette player and an old turntable. They record an independent demo, Peor que animales, in 1993, and later release the album La Frecuencia Rebelde in 1999, which Raff produces in full. He also spends two years as a member of La Pozze Latina.

His early influences match those of many Chilean hip-hop artists of his generation, including the film Beat Street, breakdancing, and records by Beastie Boys, N.W.A. and Public Enemy. He describes himself as a DJ and beatmaker, and also characterises his compositions as “half machine, half man”.

Collaborations and commissions

During the 1990s, Raff works on many side projects. He collaborates in different capacities with Los Tetas, Chancho en Piedra, LaFloripondio, Bitman & Roban, Los Mismos, Los Mox!, Tiro de Gracia and singer Nicole. His work for these acts includes remixes, recording scratches and studio production. He also tours Chile several times as a DJ.

With Tiro de Gracia, he performs in Argentina, Peru, Colombia and Spain, contributes to their first demos, and later works on the album Decisión (1999). He also works for a long time in partnership with Solo di Medina.

Solo releases and international work

Raff’s first major solo step comes with the instrumental album Raffolution, which he releases at the end of 2006 after two years of preparation. He promotes the album in Chile and then gives a series of concerts in Barcelona. The recording later reaches listeners online, where a free download attracts significant interest.

He continues with an international schedule that includes shows in New York, Miami and Mexico. His mobility also shapes the EP Travelling Partners (2008), whose tracks are worked on in different cities around the world and made available for free online download.

Festival work and later profile

Raff appears at the SUE festival as part of the Chancho en Piedra team, shortly before the Beastie Boys perform on the same stage. Across his career he remains associated with experimentation and with a style that moves from Chilean hip-hop roots into electronic production.