Biography of Voodoo Funk aka. Sulo

The Name "Voodoo Funk" may sound like a cultist of some sort, but in fact Konstantinos Chronakis is uncomplicated, realistic, and defies musical and social boundaries. These traits had impact on his development. Until 1997 the now 31-year old was "strictly hip-hop, hung out with "Afrob", "Massive Töne", and went to concerts and jams. He was an active sprayer and break-danced at youth-centres. That's where he got to know the "South-Side-Rockers". Up until today he is still in touch with them.

Voodoo Funk: "Even as a little boy my enthusiasm for music, dance, and arts was very big". He brought home tons of good hip-hop-vinyl and regularly spun it at a buddy's house. In 1996 when he first encountered house-music, he recognized a lot of common hip-hop-loops and -samples. His interest in electronic music grew quickly and bought anything he could get his hands on: starting with House, Triphop, Acid, Chicago-House over Elektro to Techno. Since the tracks basically did without or with little lyrics he was able to mix them and try around a lot. That's how the first fusions of his sound-worlds and his unmistakable style were born. Even bongos, "Jimi Hendrix", and "The Doors" were an influence. Who can draw from a sound-pool as this, is bound to be very versatile and difficult to be copied.

When "Voodoo Funk" was dj-ing at "Cosmium Radio", the fax-machines ran hot. With "Woah, dude, this guy's even crazier then Cloud Young", the audience demanded more of his music. That's how a guest-appearance led to a resident-job. His program was aired on "Evosonic" and was elected best show by the public. In between there were appearances at "Big FM", "Freies Radio Stuttgart", and "DASDING". His name was soon well known and for 4 years he spun the turntables at the famous "M1" in Stuttgart.

But his sound was destined for something bigger. So he got the crowds fired up at raves like "Nature One", "Liberty One", "Alien Nation", and the "Love Parade". 2003 the first publications followed on the compilations "Schranzfusion 1" and "Schranzfusion 2".

In time the national boarders dropped too and Voodoo Funk was on his way to Croatia, Ibiza, Switzerland, and Kreta. He always kept experimenting and accomplished the most important – his sound was recognized as a creation and not as a blur of others.

If you ask the relaxed Greek about his style today, he would make sure to reinstate that it is his mission to have an indefinable style. Voodoo Funk wants to be different and doesn't want to boringly play one track after another. Gigs are like Live performances and his mixes have meaning.

With a sparkle in his eye Kosta explains: "Sometimes two songs will play several minutes and they take turns with the bass and the mids. Sometimes one dominates, then the other: or they fight, like we do."

This open attitude is appreciated by colleagues like "Jeff Mills" or "Kenny C". All of them stood next to him on the wheels of steel. During that time he let himself be inspired and took in all the new impressions immediately, to process them creatively.

At the "Electric Ballroom" DJ Rush danced to Voodoo Funk's tunes and afterwards congratulated him on the great performance. It's moments like this that are the highlights of his career and show him that he is on track. Through his open-minded approach to other genres new sound-worlds constantly develop. "I try to depict the up and down of life and reflect a lot of different moments such as pain, joy, fear, love and hate in this material world.

Even though he became successful, Voodoo Funk stayed down to earth and likes to give valuable hints to rookies: " Don't stick so close to your idols or you'll end up being a bad imitation. Nobody needs that. Be yourself, unique and become an idol yourself."

Currently the DJ from Stuttgart is working on 15 tracks simultaneously. Sometimes he doesn't see the sun for days. His roommate occasionally forces him to leave the studio. "If I'm working on my music, it takes me 4 - 5 days. I'm in the flow then, pushing the tracks to be ready, so I can try them out at the club."