Viberoom is a music and nightlife event label founded by Hangzhou native DJ D’Rocc, a veteran who’s been involved the local hip-hop scene for the last 15 years, beginning with breakdancing before transitioning into DJing and organizing parties. Against the cultural backdrop of the historic city of Hangzhou, D’Rocc now brings a unique perspective by combining his understanding of traditional Chinese culture and philosophy with his respect for the origins and legacy of hip-hop. Viberoom frequently organizes nightlife events in and around the city of Hangzhou. Neocha spoke to D’Rocc about his thoughts on music, culture, and society.
Viberoom是个音乐和夜生活品牌，由杭州本土DJ D’Rocc创办。他是位拥有15年玩龄的hip-hop文化老玩家，在做DJ和组织活动派对之前， D’Rocc最初以跳街舞开始。有悖于杭州这座历史名城的文化背景，通过融合他对中国传统文化的理解，以及对hip-hop起源和传统的尊重，D’Rocc带来了一个独特的视角。Viberoom时常在杭州内外组织夜生活活动。Neocha和D’Rocc就后者在音乐、文化和社会上的一些想法进行了一番对话。
Neocha: How did you get started as a DJ?
D’Rocc: When I was breakdancing, I would enter a lot of competitions, but I was never satisfied with the music there. I felt that there weren’t any good DJs in China – the music they played didn’t have emotion. It didn’t let the dancers fully express themselves, and it didn’t create a party vibe. So I would watch a lot of old hip-hop videos, and that led to me understanding the most important part of a party was the vibe. If you knew how to control the vibe, then people would have more fun, and you can host better parties and events. Personally, I’ve had the experience of listening to a song, and just by listening I’ll feel more conscious and inspired, then I’ll want to share this listening experience with others.
Neocha: 你最早是怎么开始做DJ?
D’Rocc: 以前跳的时候，我已经开始参加很多街舞比赛，在那些地方已经开始对音乐不满意，感觉那时候国内没什么好的DJ。他们放的音乐，没有很多情绪去推动，去让舞者发挥得更好，让整个气氛更像一个party。我一直看很多很多老的视频，能感觉到里面内容主要是在于整个气氛。然后如果你能调节整个气氛的话，可能这个活动，可能大家会玩得更开心，更好。我之前听到过很多好听的音乐，听了之后感觉，哇，有所启发，感觉自己变聪敏一点了。我希望让这个音乐都能被大家听到。
Neocha: Where did the inspiration for Viberoom come from?
D’Rocc: Viberoom was definitely inspired by a lot of foreign music brands and collectives. I felt that Hangzhou also really needed a space that was just for music. Before, we had an actual Viberoom space here, but now we primarily do events in different places. “Vibe” represents a kind of mood or atmosphere – a state of mind that people can sync into together. The roots of Viberoom are hip-hop, turntables, records, and sharing music. Viberoom isn’t loud, or so in your face. It is a very chill place that’s suitable for a city like Hangzhou. We need a space that’s suited to the slow and relaxed atmosphere of Hangzhou – one that allows us to uplift ourselves through a more positive lifestyle.
Neocha: Viberoom的概念是从哪儿来的?
D’Rocc: Viberoom的概念肯定是受国外的一些音乐厂牌的影响，是有这样的一个启发。但是，我觉得杭州这个城市很需要一个房间，一个音乐的房间。之前我们有一家实体店，现在主要是在不同的地方做活动。Vibe的意思就是一种气氛、一种心情，大家达到了一种感觉。这种房间的roots就是hip-hop的一些roots，有唱片，有turntable，然后有人分享音乐。不管怎么样，不是一个很吵杂，很闹的环境，而是一个很安静、很chill的环境，也很适合杭州这样的一个环境。我们在杭州本身轻松舒缓的节奏中追求一个更好的生活方式。
Neocha: What is your definition of hip-hop?
D’Rocc: Hip-hop is now mainly just pop culture. Many young people across the globe are having fun with it, but I feel like most people are just blindly following a trend or fashion. Since there are so many flashy elements to it, a lot of people will be attracted to its surface appeal. In modern society, people might think that hip-hop is getting better because more and more people are aware of it. From my perspective, it’s lost a lot of its creativity, originality, and artistry. But, when I was younger, I also didn’t understand it completely. After being involved with hip-hop for many years, I realized that it was more about a kind of lifestyle. To me, this kind of lifestyle is uplifting, optimistic, and full of positive energy. It has a spiritual side. It’s like in skateboarding, when you fall off the board, you want to get back on again because you want to improve and transcend yourself.
Neocha: 你对hip-hop的定义是什么？
D’Rocc: Hip-hop给我的感觉就是流行文化吧。全世界的年轻人都在玩，但我觉得大部分是在盲目地追求这个潮流、这个现象吧。因为这里面有太多先锋的事物、想法，所以很多年轻人想去感受这种东西吧。整个社会都认为hip-hop文化越来越好，因为大家都接受了，但是它其实失去了一些很艺术性、很原创性的东西。
我年轻时候可能也不太懂吧，但是如果你能坚持到后面可能就会体会到，这个不过就是一种生活方式而已。这样的生活方式会给人一种积极向上的乐观，它有一种潜移默化的能量在推动自己变得更好。这就是它背后的精神。就像玩滑板，你掉下来，摔了，你还会去尝试第二次，因为要突破自己。
Neocha: What are your thoughts on the future development of Chinese society?
D’Rocc: I feel like a civilized Chinese society will be like this: the architecture and culture will always preserve the best things from Chinese civilization and history, but these traditional elements will be incorporated into a modern technological lifestyle. This kind of culture will be very uplifting for Chinese society. Before, I’ve heard Jack Ma say this as well, that what a Chinese education lacks the most in is music, art, and athletics. When I was growing up, I felt the same way, and that most of the things I learned in school were useless. The Chinese education system is designed to create robots and obedient people. Of course, this society needs regulations, but from a far-sighted perspective, I don’t think that it’s the best way.
Neocha: 你对于中国社会未来的发展是怎么看待的？
D’Rocc: 我觉得如果是一个有文化的国家会变成这样子：所有的建筑、所有的文化都一直保留着中国最好的东西的感觉，可是这些都是融入到现代生活当中，全部都是跟世界平行的。这样的生活方式会提高中国人。因为之前看到马云也在说的，中国教育最缺少的就是音乐、美术和运动。我自己一路过来也是这种感觉。基本上，学校教的东西都是没用的，它只是把你培养成一个机器人，或者一个服从者。当然，这个社会需要有一些规则吧。但是我个人认为，从长远来看，这并不是一个非常好的现象。
Website: soulkingz.lofter.com
Contributor & Videographer: George Zhi Zhao
Images Courtesy of D’Rocc
Archive Video Footage from Born Invincible (1978), Game of Death (1978), Style Wars (1983), k-os – The Love Song (2006), Detours: An Experimental Dance Collaboration
供稿人与视频摄影师: George Zhi Zhao
图片由D’Rocc提供
档案素材来自 Born Invincible (1978), Game of Death (1978), Style Wars (1983), k-os – The Love Song (2006), Detours: An Experimental Dance Collaboration
