ZWARTE LIEFDE
Vinyl has always been here, and today it feels more relevant than ever. More than a format, it’s a culture. In a digital world, the tangible experience of records connects people to music in a unique way. Zwarte Liefde celebrates the love for vinyl and black music with everyone. This vinyl only concept and vinyl DJ collective is dedicated to black music in all its forms, bringing together hip-hop, R&B, dancehall, soul, funk, disco, UK garage (UKG), drum & bass (D&B), house classics and plenty more. From scratches to smooth blends, every record is played with the warmth, authenticity and raw energy that make vinyl so special.
Zwarte Liefde was born in Amsterdam in 2016, founded by vinyl enthusiast and DJ Welly Ibrahim, also known as Welly Well. What started as a simple idea soon grew into a movement and evolved into a series of events and a collective, supported by DJs such as DNS and Chuckie. Zwarte Liefde has partnered with the legendary Technics brand, a true full-circle moment for a concept built around the iconic turntables that shaped DJ culture.
Over the years Zwarte Liefde has built a loyal following among vinyl lovers and black music lovers alike. The Zwarte Liefde collective hosted events and vinyl only DJ sets at venues including Paradiso, Amsterdam Roest, Bret, Rapa Nui, Pacific Amsterdam, DeDakkas and A’DAM Tower. Zwarte Liefde has performed at numerous national and international festivals, among them leading Dutch festivals such as Zwarte Cross, Mysteryland, Appelpop, Amsterdam Dance Event and Haarlem Vinyl Festival, as well as international festivals like 12 Inch Lovers (vinyl only). The collective also hosted an exclusive Dutch premiere with freestyle rap phenomenon Harry Mack, marking his first-ever performance in the Netherlands. Along the way Zwarte Liefde supported internationally acclaimed hip-hop artist Talib Kweli and welcomed guest appearances from Dutch legends including Extince, Postmen and Brainpower. The concept also regularly welcomes respected guest DJs such as Rob Manga and Edzon, who bring their own deep selections and add their unique flavor to the concept.
What started as a local Amsterdam concept has grown into a traveling vinyl only movement, bringing the sound and spirit of Zwarte Liefde to clubs, festivals and stages across the Netherlands and beyond.
Driven by a deep love for vinyl and crates full of records, Zwarte Liefde has been keeping vinyl culture alive for more than 10 years, celebrating black music wherever the needle drops.
