Biography
Ralf GUM’s music career dates back to 1990 when he started out as a DJ before establishing himself three years later as a full-on institution within the industry with own productions. Since then Ralf evolved to one of the most respected figures in the House Music scene called a role model, pioneer, innovator, legend and global House Music star by others, while his secret is simply to keep absolutely fervid about real music. Always staying true to his passion and attempting to enhance the genre, he is globally renowned for his exceptional productions and DJ-sets. Harmony, Soul & Groove – are the main ingredients, but just some aspects of Ralf’s distinctive deep sound. With an instinctive feeling for the right vibe, Ralf GUM convincingly performed as a DJ all over Europe, Asia, the Middle East, South- and North America as well as Africa. From the early 90ies he had various residencies in Germany including the “Airport” (Wuerzburg, Germany), which was the living-room for his interpretation of Dance Music for more than a decade. In 2012 Ralf decided to emigrate from his homeland of Germany to the world’s current hot-bed for Soulful Music, South Africa, but continued to travel steadily for appearances at some of the best events around the world. Solely in 2012 Ralf had almost 200 DJ gigs. But Ralf GUM not only fascinates as the unique DJ. In equal measure Ralf GUM’s productions have helped him building up a reputation as a forward thinking tastemaker influencing countless fellows. Producing music since 1993 he worked with notable artists such as Caron Wheeler, Hugh Masekela, Omar, Beady Belle, Robert Owens, Dele Sosimi, Mafikzolo or Monique Bingham. Ralf GUM embarked on the development of his own record label GOGO Music in 2001. Already late 2005 GOGO Music was called “one of the hottest imprints around” by Blues & Soul and Germany’s Subculture wrote that “GOGO Music is the prime German house label”. In April 2009 Chicago’s best music publication 5 Magazine stated, that “GOGO Music has become synonymous with the best Deep House produced in Europe” and 2010 UK’s SoulM8 certified that “GOGO Music is one of Germany’s best independent labels”. In 2008 Ralf GUM released his debut masterpiece album titled “Uniting Music”, a continuous piece of music, seamless and blended into a luscious texture of inspired grooves, which contained “Kissing Strangers”, a worldwide bestseller in its genre in 2008, thus scored the number 1 in the “Top 100 Singles 2008” of the ultra-credible Traxsource download-shop. 2012 Ralf GUM released his second long-player titled “Never Leaves You” including “Take Me To My Love” which became the biggest anthem and a number 1 in South Africa’s official media charts that year. The long-player reached GOLD status in South Africa and was the bestselling album of the year on Traxsource. In 2014 Ralf GUM proved that he is able to follow up and surpass his own high standards at any time, as he released his noteworthy third album “In My City”. Jumping straight in on the No.1 spot on iTunes South Africa on day of release, it became one of the most celebrated albums of 2014 in the motherland and was selected as Best Dance Album of 2014 by iTunes. In 2019 Ralf unveiled his long awaited 4th studio album featuring a stellar selection of vocalists ranging from South African superstars Mafikizolo, to long time collaborator Monique Bingham, to UK’s soul icon Tony Momrelle and Detroit’s legendary Paul Randolph next to many others. The album received global critical acclaim and made it yet again to the #1 on iTunes in South Africa. In 2020 Ralf GUM was asked to be a judge of the first pan-African talent casting show “Old Mutual Amazing Voices” which is broadcasted on various TV stations across the continent. The hallmark of Ralf’s sound is his love for jazzy harmonies coupled with wicked, typical underground beats. But the distinctive groove isn’t the only reason for Ralf’s success – his soulful sensibility shines through in all he does and helps him creating an irresistible groove every time he works in studio or the turntables. Perfectly positioned in one of the worlds most enthusiastic and inspiring music capitals Johannesburg, he makes music from the soul and circulates it far and wide to the various destinations which he continues to play in. Due to his successful, wide-ranging and revered work, there is no denying that Ralf GUM has arrived in the top-league of the most prolific dj/producers in the global House Music scene.
