Fabi Hernandez Shares Insight on the Scene in Bogotá

The scene in Bogotá is growing by the day, and Fabi Hernandez dives into what his experience has been like as an emerging artist in Colombia.

South America is a hotbed for electronic music talent, and Fabi Hernandez is helping shape the future of the bustling community in Colombia. This fast-rising DJ and producer has made a name for himself over the past few years with releases on labels including Groove Bassment, One Seven Music, and Soave Dusk. More recently, he debuted on Toolroom Trax with a collaboration with Mexican artist Allan Piziano, “Al Ritmo,” which has helped him soar to new heights.

Originally hailing from Bucaramanga, Fabi Hernandez was exposed early on to electronic music, even though there wasn’t a strong culture for it in his hometown. Instead, he’d watch festivals on TV and the internet. “Even as a child, I remember doing all that I could to soak up electronic music wherever I could get it,” he shared. “This passion for music, and because I’ve had to work for access to it, makes everything that I’m doing now feel so rewarding. I’m truly blessed.”

Fabi Hernandez has grown alongside the scene in Colombia, which has seen multiple festivals from global powerhouses take place in cities like Medellín and Bogotá, where he now lives. “The scene [in Colombia] is definitely growing. There are some people working hard to put our country on the map, but it is a constant battle,” he told us. “There is a general lack of respect for local artists until they get attention outside of Colombia, but that happens a lot with smaller countries. It’s a delicate issue for some.”

Now that I live in Bogotá, the influence is dramatic. As our capital city, it’s extremely rich with cultural diversity and there is so much passion for all genres of music. This constant blending of cultures, music, people, and history leads to a richness that infiltrates our music and arts in a fundamental way and sets us apart.
Fabi Hernandez

The blending of cultures is ever-present throughout Bogotá, and when we asked Fabi where he would take us on a night out on the town, he showcased quite a range of tastes. “I’d say to buckle your seatbelt,” he laughed. “We seriously have some of the best restaurants in the world. There is a lot of gastronomy in Bogotá, and we could spend days just eating at all the amazing restaurants.” Fabi mentioned some of his favorites include the Asian-inspired Zekkie, the Italian restaurant Storia d’Amore, and, of course, Andres Carne de Res for authentic Colombian meats.

When it’s time for music, there’s one club at the top of the list in Bogotá. That is Octava. When we go, I suggest you don’t have plans the next day.
Fabi Hernandez

Dancing at Octava sounds like a blast, but if you want to taste the sounds that Fabi Hernandez brings to his performances, you’re in luck. He dropped off a mix that shows off his influences and is filled to the brim with IDs. “I unloaded on you a full slate of unreleased music – some of it being heard for the very first time here,” he said. “But first, the song begins with “Al Ritmo.” I am so proud of this song. It’s a collab with Allan Piziano, and it’s our first release on Toolroom Trax. Needless to say, working with them has been a huge honor.”

Diving deeper into the mix will put those aforementioned IDs on full display, with Fabi sharing that he wanted to show off the diversity of sounds in his music with them. “I make and play a range of styles, but the backbone is always a connection to Latin culture. I seek to make songs that have a connection to the traditions and history of our people,” he said. “The last track of the mix, “Rosa,” is a folk song originally recorded in the early 1900s. Over the decades, it became a huge part of Colombian folkloric music. I wanted to update the song for modern times, and it has been amazing to see how people have received the song.”

Listen to this exclusive mix from Fabi Hernandez on SoundCloud, and stay tuned for more from this Colombian DJ and producer by following him on social media!