DJ Kicks turns 30: 10 facts about K7’s mix series! Records – from CJ Bolland to DJ Koze to Kruder & Dorfmeister.
For young people there was the momentous compilation “Bravo Hits”, while we music nerds had “DJ Kicks” from the K7! label. The dance floor ‘n’ listening series still has immense appeal today.
1. The origins
The series takes us back to the fall of 1995. The first compilation belonged to CJ Bolland, a techno producer from Belgium. Its fame – CJ Bolland Ultras may read away for a moment – hasn’t really outlasted that of the mix series. After all, he maintains the Magnus project with Tom Barman from dEUS, among others, and released another comeback EP in 2025.
2. The only requirement
Not all mix series are the same. Regarding “DJ Kicks” it is considered traditional, the only requirement from the K7 label! Records: The respective set should not only be suitable for the dance floor, but also have “home listening value”.
3. Mix tape charm over 30 years
With this in mind, 88 episodes have been created over the 30-year run, all of which exude a personal mix-tape charm. You feel like you’re sitting on the carpet in front of the record collection with the club’s otherwise rather aloof masters of ceremonies. At its best, “DJ Kicks” works like a musical diary.
4. Plural principle instead of scheme
As loose as the content framework is, the presentation is also less schematic. The only thing that is recurring with every “DJ Kicks” release is that the artist himself can be seen – and the iconic lettering. Otherwise you rely on the plural principle: cabbage and beets.
5. Exclusive tracks as a central moment
The central moment of the series is the exclusive, own tracks of the compilers. So it’s not just a matter of reassembling the familiar, but also of mixing in a fresh piece. But that’s not a requirement either – not every issue has such an “Easter egg”, as we would say today. In this respect, Digitalism had the most to give at their “DJ Kicks” in 2012: They hold the record with five exclusive songs.
6. The Exclusives
Speaking of exclusive: The appeal of the new pieces that the series keeps spitting out is also reflected in compilations that only combine these special songs. Four samplers of the title have been released so far: DJ KICKS – THE EXCLUSIVES.
7. In collective memory
Despite the unmanageable sampler market, “DJ Kicks” has cemented itself in the collective memory of more than just clubbers. The British “Mixmag” even describes the project as the “most important DJ mix series of all time”.
8. The Founder
“DJ Kicks” was founded by Horst Weidenmüller – back in time again. The Swiss native with a punk background and founder of K7! has been on the move as a music manager, or rather as a music nerd and enabler, since the eighties. Last year, in February 2025, he died at the age of 60 after a short, serious illness.
9. The fiftieth edition
DJ Koze took over the fiftieth edition of “DJ Kicks” in 2015. Among other things, there is a version of the Homeboy Sandman piece “Holiday”. In an interview, Koze revealed the secret of who you would also hear about: it is Marcus Fink’s son and father. With him, Koze runs the Pampa Records label; He also contributed to the Homeboy edit with the weird introduction.
10. Happy Birthday DJ Kicks
Last year we celebrated the 30th anniversary – but this year the corks are also popping. The fourth episode, which was groundbreaking for the duo and the series itself, was released in 1996. Kruder & Dorfmeister established a new sound in the clubs with their “DJ Kicks” incarnation. Their downbeat trip-hop with coffee house charm looks back on this start today and is currently bringing it back to the stages with the live show K&D KICKS 30.