Levi’s® and music have always been intertwined. Music—like style—helps us define who we are, what we have to say, and what we love. As a values-driven company, we believe it’s important to broadcast what you believe in. Levi’s® Music Week celebrates the power of music to bring people together, unlock creativity, challenge perspectives, and transform culture.

35 years of R&S Records - In Order to Dance

A discussion on the life and times of Renaat Vandepapeliere (founder of R&S Records) - the iconic 35 year old Belgian record label that has released music by the likes of Aphex Twin, Nicolaas Jaar, Lone, CJ Bolland, Juan Atkins and many more.

Moderated by: Raj Chaudhuri (NTS Radio)

In Conversation with Noah Ball (Founder Dimensions Festival & Outlook Festival)

A conversation about the curation at Dimensions, Outlook and We Out Here Festival and how Indian artists can booked to play at these festivals.

Moderated by: Raj Chaudhari (NTS Radio)

PERFORMANCE BY:

Raji Rags:

Raj Chaudhuri aka Raji Rags is the current A&R for R&S records and has been active in many panel talks with Renaat, the co-founder of R&S Records.

Over the years, apart from being of the top go to Selectors, Raj has been a part of some of the finest music properties and record labels including Bleep.com from 2013 to 2017 and has been a part of releases from Flying Lotus, Hudson Mohawke, Rustie, Skream, Karenn, Objekt, Machinedrum, Fuck Buttons, Oneohtrix Point Never, Autechre, Nathan Fake, Lone, Gas, Modeselektor and more.

Raj headed Boiler Room from 2014 to 2017 and has been essential in pushing some of the finest underground artists to the limelight.

Raj co-founded and runs one of London's largest hip-hop night, Livin' Proof, which has been established for 12 years and included shows with A$AP Rocky (UK debut), Danny Brown (UK debut), Hudson Mohawke, A$AP Ferg, Schoolboy Q, Joey Badass, Alchemist, Just Blaze, Giggs, D Double E and others.

Renaat Vandepapeliere:

Renaat Vandepapeliere The Boss, A&R and Factotum of the all-mighty Techno label R&S Records needs little introduction. His career spans over almost four decades in which his visionary soul gave some of the most prolific and forward- thinking artists of the electronic music scene a platform to express themselves, artists such as Derrick May, Juan Atkins ‘Model 500’ and Aphex Twin. Today, Nicolas Jaar, James Blake, Paula Temple, Tale of Us, Benjamin Damage, Acid Mondays, Talaboman, Lost Souls of Saturn and Mariel Ito all walk in the glorious heritage of R&S.

Renaat and his label have earned him the title of being an uncompromising pioneer, and although his role as boss and A&R of the label is very time consuming, Renaat is a remarkable selector who truly enjoys taking risks beyond trends. His fascinating, charismatic and strong-willed persona has helped launch the careers of many – including kickstarting the career of Nils Frahm when his very first electronic release came out on R&S Records.

Coming from a large, eclectic and artistic family – always listening to the radio with a particular fascination with jazz and Jimmy Hendrix! - it was his sisters who mostly encouraged his musical career. That unconditional family support is something that clearly runs through the veins as his ultimate goal is to encourage artists to push themselves, dig deep, find something unique in their sound and to release music that other labels would perhaps (and do) shy away from. He wants R&S to always remain approachable, especially for the generation of artists on the climb and those with a burning need to express themselves musically away from the commercial side of the business. Renaat is not driven by genre nor fame – it’s only about music and if he loves it he’ll release it.

The fact that Renaat lives and breathes music is not only been evident since the label launched in 1984 - when the focus and music was well before it’s time - but also in the variety of releases signed to R&S and how he transmits his music to the crowd when he plays. Quoted from an interview with Clash Magazine in 2019…"I don't care what it is, so long as it's done from the heart”.

You can catch Renaat playing at some of the world’s best venues & festivals such as: Berghain (Berlin), Studio 80 (Amsterdam), Rex Club (Paris), Stardust (Madrid), Block (Tel Aviv)), Egg (London), Kompass Klub (Ghent), Razzmatazz (Barcelona), Shelter (Amsterdam), Le Sucre (Lyon), R33 (Palma De Mallorca), BPM Festival (Playa del Carmen), Tomorrowland (Boom), ADE (Amsterdam), Astropolis (Brest), Moga Festival (Morocco), Watergate (Berlin), Bozar – Le Nuits Sonores (Brussels) and many more.