What starts as a late remix submission to a compilation blossoms into a friendship that will last more than twenty-five years, that’s what house music legend Robert Owens and New York’s underground DJ and producer Groovecreator.

“Roy Davis Jr. did a single with you called ‘Slide’ and he hit me up to do the single for it”, Groovecreator replies on how he first met Robert Owens. “Roy Davis Jr. signed me on Underground Therapy Music Chicago back in 1998, so I've been on his label for a long time. So he hit me up with Robert Owens, and I was the last one on the remix, and he loved it and he had to call Kirk, stop the press, and add me to the art, and he debuted at Boiler Room. Then you were telling me about the remix and how you loved it, and I said, I could give you an instrumental because I know you like to sing over your tracks. We exchanged numbers, and then that's how we met.” 

Robert Owens counters a different scenario of how the two first met. “You know, I thought I had met you before that because I used to live in New York. I did clubs here and everything. I used to do a club around the corner from Sound Factory. But I remember the whole Roy situation. I'm saying, your mixes were the strongest. It's like the more jacking kind of mixes. So when you asked me later about doing a remix of one of the tracks off of my Naked series album, it was instant.”

Artist Interview Episode 009: GROOVECREATOR + ROBERT OWENS

Early DJ Careers

Fast forward to now, and that’s what the friendship is still doing today, Groovecreator being invited to another remix compilation for Robert Owens, but this time he’s right on time. Robert Owens replies, “But you have your own unique style. That's beautiful.”

Robert Owens has been the dazzling beacon of positivity and joy throughout the dance music industry for decades. A man who embeds his heart and voice into every track and melody he produces. Tracks with Frankie Knuckles, Larry Heard, Satoshie Tommie, David Morales, and countless others have all been enhanced by Robert’s creative contributions. Although Robert Owens has collaborated with the top legends of house music, the artists he always dreamed of collaborating with but never had were Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and Quincy Jones.

“I got a chance to play at Studio 54 before it closed down. Larry LaVann and I were DJing, plus Salt n’ Pepper would be the act for the evening. Paradise Garage, I played there several times. That was amazing! Warehouse Music Box coming up with Frankie Knuckles, Ron Hardy, and all that scene, I did an opening of the Ministry of Sound. I played at The Exit Festival. I performed at the Sydney Opera House twice!  I've seen some stuff in my life. I lived in New York for a long time. Laura Eastman had me, and Frankie Knuckles was my roommate there. So I've been blessed to see a lot!”

Rudy Nuñez, better known as Groovecreator, is from Harlem, New York City, where his journey started in the '90s. He held residencies at iconic nightclubs such as Limelight, Centro-Fly, and Avalon. His extensive experience and expertise have earned him a respected place in the industry. Groovecreator made history as the first American and Latin American of Dominican descent to join the prestigious 23rd-Century DGTL Label, signed by the legendary Carl Cox. With a deep passion for techno and a career that spans decades, he’s now leading a new generation of bold, uncompromising music for the masses. “What I tried to do is try to take what they did and try to put it to the newer generation, but preserving the essence of what you did. Remember, Robert like Roy and these guys, they write and they know how to sing so they're listening to my chords and like where my pitch is so it's invaluable to hear from Robert that mines were the strongest so he's gonna play that so anyway that's how I met Roy, a quick backstory not to prolong.” - Groovecreator

Robert is an artist and vocalist celebrated for his collaborative approach to music. From his formative years with Larry Heard in Fingers Inc. to his recent collaborations with Coldcut and London Elektricity, he has consistently demonstrated his skill in forging strong, creative partnerships with producers. For Robert, a genuine connection with his co-creators, as his emotive vocal style thrives on that bond, infusing his work with authenticity and soul.

“The thing is, musically, I'm not creating for me. I'm creating for people. It's like I'm bringing us together for people. We unite, and anything we accumulate should be about us giving back to life because we're not here forever. Often when I come out to events, it's younger people, they come in, and they tell me, my mama, my papa said meet you in Africa and all over the world. I'm constantly meeting people in Israel, I go places, and they can't hold a whole conversation with me, but they can sing a song that I've done. That's where you're passing it on. We hold on to things and think, we should hold on, but no, you should give it back to life.” - Robert Owens

'Stronger' Remix Package

Robert Owens recently released a ‘Stronger remix package revising the popular single in a new light. Each of the remixes manages to dissect the original sound into a fresh new era of house music. The ‘Stronger’ remixes evaluated the original sound and were scoped with a fresh and contemporary feel. Groovecreator immediately envisioned his approach to the track as soon as he received the invitation to join the remix package. His creative vision was clear, and each of his six remixes perfectly aligned with Robert’s distinctive vibe and energy. 

“The fun fact about ‘Stronger’ I gave you six remixes with instrumentals and everything. The fun fact about that was that there was a last cut that I recycled, and I called it the unreleased nostalgic dub. Which was more Jack and Hal Foundation modern, but I wanted to put classic sounds cutting in and out. I sit in the studio and I listen to it. I don't just come up with a remix, I listen to all his chords. As if you didn't notice on ‘Stronger’, I separated four different Strongers you sang on different notes. I separated one ‘Stronger’ that you went did on one note and another ‘Stronger’, and I had all four to see which one would work better with the track, and I picked the fourth one and the third one. I work a little bit weird, but I tried to find what Robert said, which verse, which hook he said better, because the good thing about Robert is when I listen to your vocals, you do outtakes. I listen to every single thing. As far as my workflow, I don't get too caught up in it.” - Groovecreator

Now over 60, Robert, the iconic voice of house music, continues to challenge himself, dedicating his energy both in the studio and on the club scene. His secret to maintaining vocal health? Staying positive and committed to his craft. “Constantly in the studio and constantly working with artists around the world,” said Robert Owens.

Listen to Robert Owens - 'Stronger' (Groovecreator Remix)

Sill Making Music

Robert Owens is keeping the momentum going with two fresh singles, 'Passion Reaction' and 'Going Crazy.' Plus, part two of his 'Excursions EP' is set to drop exclusively on Beatport on April 11. His dedication to music never wavers, and his passion shines through in every new release. Recently, Clepsydra Label unveiled 'Say What? 3', a compilation showcasing a dynamic mix of rising talent and industry legends. Owens lent his signature vocals to the track 'Never Get It Twisted,' proving once again why he remains a force in the scene.

With a career spanning back to the mid-eighties, Robert Owens has amassed a wealth of experience in the electronic music industry. When he's not in the studio, he's captivating audiences at clubs across Europe. His upcoming schedule includes UK shows in London, as well as performances in Berlin, his adopted hometown, at events like the MayDay Rave with Fatboy Slim, Open Air Direkt AM Wasser, and Sweet Spot x 10 Jahre Jean Yann Records. Through it all, he remains committed to authenticity. His core advice for aspiring dance music creators looking to follow in his footsteps. Robert Owens replies, “The highlight of my career is every opportunity that I get to play and perform for our audience. So tonight will be a highlight.”

With ‘Stronger Remixes’ out imminently, the pair are looking forward to a busy future with each other coming into their creative orbits. Groovecreator has a new four-track EP on his label Infinite Xperiments Recordings called ‘Impact Play Tools’. While there are no new upcoming materials from the two as collabs, they remain tight, strong friends. Who knows anything can happen from both Robert Owens and Groovecreator, the two could both drop surprise albums and their both featured on each other's albums, anything could happen between the two extremely creative and passionate artists. 

“I was surprised when the nostalgic unreleased dub 3 landed on the Beatport best hype. I don't know what time you were sleeping. I woke up and I clicked on Beatport and I had to refresh it three times. Robert, all jokes aside, if we'd have just held that away. I refreshed that page three times. I'm like, no fucking way. What?! Noooo!. I closed it, I rebooted my computer - Best Hype House.” - Groovecreator

The one thing how Robert Owen stand out in the music industry is by bringing people together and not just his fans, he brings all different artists together, unknown vocalists, new artists, with longtime legendary artists. He constantly strives to build his community with more love and talent. Robert Owens spoke more about it from a label boss's perspective. “From a label perspective, you have to think of like what would be the most impactful thing for us as artists, it's not just me thinking about myself, I'm also thinking about the producer because it's a team effort, it's about us, it's not about me. I try to get a lot of artists and individuals that I work with to get to that realization that when we come into this scenario. What's the most impactful thing that can happen for us as a team? You have to go instinctively on that. It's like this is from years of doing this and being done in and everything. I try not to do that, and I try to pull in and get the best for us.”

Either/ OR Segement

Summer or Winter?

(Robert Owens) Oh God! Summer or winter. I like the winter. I like the scarves and all. (Groovecreator) -  Summer. I need a beach!

Perform at a Nightclub or festival?

(Robert Owens) - God, that's hard, but okay if I have to pick one, I'd say Festival. (Groovecreator) - Festival.

Chocolate or vanilla?

CHOCOLATE (Both)

Cappuccino or latte?

(Robert Owens) - Cappuccino. (Groovecreator) - Which one has less milk in it? Cappuccino.

Kerri Chandler or Todd Terry?

Robert Owens) - Well, I did a live band situation with Kerri. I toured with Todd. It’s hard to say. I’m gonna leave that one alone. (Groovecreator) - I could pick. Todd Terry. That's how it started. But Kerri Chandler is a legend!

Floorplan or Dennis Ferer?

(Robert Owens) - I'd say let's go with floorplan. (Groovecreator) - Floorplan!

Carl Craig or Stacey Pullen?

(Robert Owens) - Two Giants! I don't know. The thing is, Stacey, I don't know his music that well. I know more of Carl's music. Alright. So I have to go with Carl Craig only because I don't know Stacey's music. (Groovecreator) - Well Stacey's music is a little bit harder, but Carl Craig, because I've heard Carl Craig's other music, and he can compose his ass off, pardon my French, like Carl Craig bugs in the bass band and all that stuff, like he, Carl Craig can write other stuff that's not techno, that's really like, almost like life music, the stuff that he, he doesn't have a museum in Detroit where he had his music. I’d say, Carl Craig.

Inspiring words from Robert Owens:

“I’d say things are constantly evolving. To be able to be blessed to meet younger artists and have them want to work with me. You have to take it in and be grateful for that. I see people comment on new styles of music but if it's new and it's got an audience and people aren't embracing it's beautiful because at one time no one embraced house music I remember when we first went to England We were going to some venues where they were playing hip-hop and they had to encourage me to go out on the stage. But in short, at one time, no one knew what that was, and I see people embrace it. So I would never look down on any new genre of music that's coming in. If it's beautiful.”

“This is the key, I don't judge. You know, I think everybody is unique in their own right. You know, this is where another thing I tell another artist, never be afraid to be yourself. Because when you walk in that door, nobody is in this room like any of you. You are unique in your own right. You have to never judge or compare yourself to anyone or anything.”

FOLLOW ROBERT OWENS:

INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK

FOLLOW GROOVECREATOR:

INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | X | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE