It all started way back in time: 1997. The influence of the New York urban scene inspired Reza Arnanda — better known as DJ Cream —to establish himself as a “DJ” and become one of the pioneers of Indonesia’s urban club music scene. At the same time, he upgraded his event production company, Soul Menace (Indonesia’s first Hip Hop party promoter) into an international standard production house.
His ‘no-strings-attached genre moves’ are now famous, he’s known for playing whatever rocks the party, without losing his own signature style, combining intense energy with sophisticated mixing skills and tricks: from Classics, R&B, Hip Hop, House and Electronics. He went on to play and make regular headlines in International festivals such as The Junction (Bali) Soul Nation, Java Jazz and headlining the ‘urban areas’ for Djakarta Warehouse Project (3rd consecutive year), The Jakarta Movement, Godskitchen, Cream, Heineken Thirst, Embassy Playground and the list goes on.
His fine talent can be traced via his in-concert collaborations with Indonesia’s premium talents and legendary musicians; Indra Lesmana, Maliq & D’Essentials, /rif, RAN , Dira Sugandi, Barry Likumahuwa, Andien, Bayu Risa, Soulvibe, Maliq & D’Essentials, Glen Fredly, Sandy Sondhoro, Milane Fernandez and more that can be mentioned.
Not only that, he’s also continued to host his notorious monthly nights with his Soul Menace crew at some of Jakarta’s ultra-prestigious events in Jakarta’s established venues, amongst those are Bass Drop! in Domain, Rewind & Play (winner of Paranoia Awards for “Best R&B Night”) in Blowfish and ‘Funk The House’ in Dragonfly. He has also been chosen as the opening act for international re-known artists with the likes of Craig David, Brian McKnight, Ja Rule, Naughty By Nature, The Roots, Prodigy, 50 Cent and plus had a beautiful chance to work with his major inspirations: Grandmaster Flash, Jazzy Jeff, Questlove (from The Roots), DJ Premiere (Gangstarr), as well as with some of the world’s most respected DJs; DJ Shadow, Cash Money, Kenny Dope, Laidback Luke, Brodinski, A-Trak, Diplo, Gessafelstein, Nina Kraviz, Havana Brown, Seiji (Bugz in the Attic) and many more.
Remarkably, he has also successfully built his international reputation, spinning across the globe. From Asia (Kuala Lumpur & Singapore), Australia (Melbourne), USA (Los Angeles & New York) and the Netherlands (Rotterdam, Harleem and Amsterdam). For 7 years consecutively (2004 – 2012) he performed shows in the Netherlands, along with DJ Irwan, his long time conspirator and one of Europe’s highest-profile urban DJs. Together they’ve teamed up and toured clubs such as Now & Wow, Outland, and Hollywood Music Hall (all in Rotterdam); Club Vroeger in Bloemendaal Beach (Harleem), Bed Eclectic at Hotel Arena, P60, and Sinners, Club Rain, Supper Club (all in Amsterdam). This major European tour went into a whole new level when DJ Cream represented Indonesia in ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event) 2011 thus far, as he puts it: “It was a dream come true and the most inspiring moment of my career, yet.. ”
DJ Cream is the first Indonesian Urban-style DJ to be awarded as ‘Best DJ’ in the Paranoia Awards 2006, and won Double awards in 2010 for ‘Best DJ’ and ‘Best International Break Through Artist’ which elevated him to the position of ‘frontman’ of the so-called “urban” scene, arguably, he is one of Asia’s best. He gradually gained recognition as Indonesia’s representative in the international club circuit.
In 2012, DJ Cream released his first official ‘mixtape’ album under Universal Music indonesia, entitled “Rewind & Play, Vol.1” containing tracks from Universal Music’s favorite artists (Drake, Rihanna, Ne-Yo, Fabolous, Ryan Leslie, Rick Ross, etc) and released the 2nd one, entitled “Rewind ‘N’ Play 2.0” just recently in April
Hard working. Passionate. Skill & tricks extraordinaire.
a guaranteed hip-shaker. Four terrific elements in one: DJ Cream.
