Waves Sounds 2026 - Evening Event - EsRAP & Marino Formenti & DJ King

The Viennese-Turkish sibling duo EsRAP has always celebrated being "Tschusch" (a colloquial term often used in Austria to refer to people of foreign descent): keyword foreigners with pleasure. However, being different is actually much more, as it is often associated with exclusion. And that hurts. It is precisely this pain that drives siblings Esra and Enes Özmen to think beyond their individual experiences. Because EsRAP are certainly not "to blame" for their own exclusion, even if it often feels that way. And that is where it becomes political. Combative yet vulnerable: this is how the press described the first joint performances of the rap duo EsRAP with Marino Formenti. Formenti is an exceptional Italian pianist living in Vienna, who shakes up the classical scene with his unorthodox performances. Together, the three artists present a project where rap, Turkish arabesque, or Balkan sounds meet classical and contemporary piano sounds. Additional support comes from longtime collaborator DJ King at the turntables.

Audiovisual Installation
In collaboration between musician Tahereh Nourani and students from the University of Arts Linz - Institute for Media / Visual Communication, accompanied by Katharina Mayrhofer and Tina Frank, an audiovisual work has been created that addresses the themes of empathy and resistance, making them experientially accessible both musically and visually. The work will be presented in the Lunzer Saal, utilizing the ceiling installation of light strips "Media Lu(n)z." Lying on the ground, visitors will experience the impression of a unique light-sound space that completely surrounds and touches them, engaging and challenging their senses as well as their emotions.

Immediately afterwards, DJ King takes over and continues the musical journey at the turntables. The music and visual impressions gradually lead the audience from lying down to sitting, standing, and finally dancing.

DJ King
DJ King has been active as a DJ for over 25 years. He has performed both solo and alongside several hip-hop artists such as A.Geh Wirklich?, Dauawizzy, Esrap, Kid Pex, PerVers, and many others. Not only has he played in all Austrian federal states, but he has also performed in neighboring countries. Since 2005, he has been running the "Deine Mutter Studio." Initially, he only released his own productions through it, but from 2015 onwards, he opened it up to other artists as well. As a producer and DJ for the band Penetrante Sorte, he has released a total of five albums with rapper Phil Fin since 2005. DJ King has also produced individual songs and entire albums for many other local artists. In addition, he has collaborated internationally with rappers from Germany, Italy, Croatia, Serbia, and the USA.