Carlos René

Debuting his career in 2002 under the pseudonym Dj Topcat, Carlos René is known to be one of the first DJs in Mexico City to play exclusively 45 rpm vinyl. That same year, he also founded Hot-Shot Sound System, a DJ duo determined to spread around Jamaican music. Two years later, he co-founded Rocket Sound System, and in 2009, he created a dance nightclub called Hipshakers! specializing in '60s and early '70s sounds. Meanwhile, he started another project focused on tropical rhythms called Bombo y Maracas, where he explores the Afro-Latin and Caribbean musical heritage. As a selector, Carlos regularly performs in clubs and festivals in Mexico and worldwide. He has shared the stage with bands such as The Sonics (USA), Los Saicos (Peru), and Los Ovnis (Mexico), as well as most of the DJs from the Mexican '60s scene. He has also played 45"s at various clubs everywhere and at festivals like Ponderosa Stomp in New Orleans, Beat Goes On in Gijón, and Mods Mayday in Brighton, to name a few. In early 2022, he co-founded the record shop Casa Calypso in Mexico City with Rhea Louise. Recently, he has been working on rescuing various forgotten Mexican recordings made between the '50s and the '80s, some of which he showcases on his NTS Radio show, his YouTube channels, and his own ROVR show.