Budakid, A Force To Be Reckon With

​To open the year 2018, Jenja Club Jakarta invited Budakid to perform on 5 January 2018. The name might not be familiar, but Budakid already made himself heard in Europe underground scene. His Jakarta debut was very solid. He played Progressive tracks that made the crowd couldn’t believe that at such a young age, he could build a solid performance from beginning to the end.

Don't underestimate his young age. Budakid already received support from Tensnake, Oliver Schories, Einmusik, Guy J, and Claptone. 
 
The first question that popped in our head was who is Budakid?

His real name is Kevin Huizing, a 26 years old producer from Tilburg, Netherland. He started his career quite young. “I started around 14-15 years old,” said Kevin.
 
That time, he already busy explored new music with his friends in his own bedroom. His exploration of music made him bought a small mixer and often having a jamming session. Then somebody suggested Kevin to play. “Just don’t put name DJ Kevin as my stage name,” he laughed.
 
His grandmother, who is from Indonesia, gave him statue. It was Buddha with few children around it. That’s how he got inspiration of his stage name, Budakid. “I can’t pick my own name but it’s good to have another name. It sounds fancier to me,” he said.
 
It’s probably unbelievable that at such young age Kevin already attracted to Tech and Progressive sound, but it’s a choice that he chose consciously. “I was always influenced by minimal Tech House music,” he said.
 
When we asked which track that made him fell for the genre, it was remix by Joris Voorn for track from Robert Babicz called Dark Flower. “The remix really inspires me,” said Kevin.
 
We asked him about the first time he decided to make music. “I was a drummer since I was 7 years-old. Whenever I saw drum kit, I always playing it,” said Kevin. His cousin introduced him to a music software saying that he can play drums in a computer. From there, Kevin intensely explore new sound from various tracks.
 
We’re very interested with one of his track called “No Human Is Illegal”. He produced this track about 3 years ago while he was staying at Berlin as exchange student. When he walked around the neighborhood with his friends, he saw a picture of immigrant stranded at the beach. Lots of immigrants also came to Berlin to seek refuge from ongoing conflicts in their home country. Both the picture and situation in Berlin really touched Kevin. “I just worked on a progression and it work out pretty fast,” he said.
 
Every time he listens the track, it brought him back to that moment. “When I made the track, I had the picture in my mind as well,” said Kevin. The title based on the writing he saw on a wall. “I was living in a neighborhood that helps immigrant. I saw the writing No Human Is Illegal, and I think it’s true,” he said.
 
Berlin hold a special place in Kevin’s heart. “It’s like the capitol of underground music,” he stated. Personally, he prefers small club instead of clubs with big main hall. “When I play for 500 people in small club, it’s really intense. You can feel the energy of everyone,” said Kevin.
 
Few times he plays in festival. One of the craziest one was Komm Schon Alter Festival at Amsterdam when he played with Jonas Saalbach. “It was crazy! The crowd went nuts. It was really impressive,” said Kevin.
 
Kevin starts 2018 with releasing 3 tracks. Released at Guy J’s label, Lost & Found, are tracks called “Memories” and “On An Empty Page”. The other track is his remix for Thomas Roberts’ track called “Beyond The Access” that was released on Electronica’s Finest Vol. 4 from KNM.
 
Kevin will also release another track at Eeilke Kleijn’s label, DAYS like NIGHTS, on February 2018 and at Oliver Koletzki’s label, Stil Vor Talent. Busy starts for Budakid, music-wise. He also will embark on Asia tour starting June 2018. “I’m looking forward to the tour,” he said.
 
We really hope to watch him again in Jakarta this year. We wish Budakid a great success in future.