Biography
Born in Poland, the Germany-based DJ and hip-hop producer DJ Tomekk grew up under strict parental authority that rejected his passion for urban sounds. At an early age he requested turntables and a mixer, yet his father denied the request outright. After his father’s death left him at fifteen in a Berlin group home, Tomekk devoted his time to mastering the equipment he had coveted since age eleven, even as many of his peers pursued criminal paths. His entry into Berlin’s expanding hip-hop world came quickly: at sixteen he secured a slot on Kiss FM with the program Boogie Down Berlin, which over time hosted Jermaine Dupri, Grandmaster Flash, Eric B. & Rakim, and his idol Kurtis Blow.
A 1993 trip to the United States for the Rap Music Awards in Las Vegas exposed him to live sets by Snoop Dogg, the Wu-Tang Clan, and Run-D.M.C., prompting him to aim higher. Back in Berlin he launched his own venue, Tabou. His first official release arrived in 1998 with a remix for the Los Angeles crew Foesum; the following year he issued the single “1, 2, 3... Rhymes Galore,” featuring Grandmaster Flash and Flavor Flav, which held a Top Ten position on the German singles chart for more than five months.
Two years later his debut album, The Return of Hip-Hop, arrived with contributions from KRS-One, GZA, Tony Touch, and MC Serch. The follow-up, SMG. Sex, Money and Gunz, Vol. 1, paid tribute to another inspiration, Ice-T, and included appearances by Lil’ Kim and Kurupt. In 2005 Numma Eyns surfaced with assistance from Xzibit, Noreaga, and Sido. Tomekk’s 2006 mixtape The Next Generation showcased emerging talent and helped repair his standing in Germany after earlier charges of plagiarism and of favoring American artists over the local scene.
A 1993 trip to the United States for the Rap Music Awards in Las Vegas exposed him to live sets by Snoop Dogg, the Wu-Tang Clan, and Run-D.M.C., prompting him to aim higher. Back in Berlin he launched his own venue, Tabou. His first official release arrived in 1998 with a remix for the Los Angeles crew Foesum; the following year he issued the single “1, 2, 3... Rhymes Galore,” featuring Grandmaster Flash and Flavor Flav, which held a Top Ten position on the German singles chart for more than five months.
Two years later his debut album, The Return of Hip-Hop, arrived with contributions from KRS-One, GZA, Tony Touch, and MC Serch. The follow-up, SMG. Sex, Money and Gunz, Vol. 1, paid tribute to another inspiration, Ice-T, and included appearances by Lil’ Kim and Kurupt. In 2005 Numma Eyns surfaced with assistance from Xzibit, Noreaga, and Sido. Tomekk’s 2006 mixtape The Next Generation showcased emerging talent and helped repair his standing in Germany after earlier charges of plagiarism and of favoring American artists over the local scene.
Albums
Singles
