1983-1990
1983 marked the beginning of his DJ career in the Odeon Club in Münster. In 1984 he made a permanent move to Berlin which was still divided by the Wall. WestBam started as DJ at Berlin's famous Metropol and his sophisticated mixing techniques brought him fame far beyond the borders of the divided city.
In 1985 WestBam worked with Klaus Jankuhn to produce his first 12" entitled "17" which was inspired by Paul Hardcastle's "19", one of the first sample hits of the time. One of the climaxes of those early years was undoubtedly his performance at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul (South Korea) where he gave a German cultural contribution at the invitation of the Goethe Institute.
In 1989 he made his first album "The Cabinet". This was the first DJ-concept album to be launched on the German market. This album included the number "The Roof Is On Fire" and brought the breakthrough for DJ WestBam
as well as Low Spirit Recordings.
1991-1995
After that things really started moving. "Monkey Say Monkey Do", "And Party" and "No More Fucking Rock'n'Roll"
are just some of the titles known to everyone who danced not just in German discos at the time.
1991 saw the arrival of his second album entitled "A Practising Maniac At Work". The first Mayday also took place in
1991 (14 December) and WestBam was decisively involved in the artistic concept of this and the following Maydays. WestBam and Klaus Jankuhn teamed up under the name "Members of Mayday" to produce an anthem for each Mayday event. These Mayday anthems are so popular that they have now reached cult status.
WestBam's album "Bam Bam Bam" appeared in 1994 containing one his most successful singles, to date,
"Celebration Generation" (21 Media Control Charts). The album "Bam Bam Bam" even reached fourteenth
place in the German LP charts and sold over 140 000 times in Germany.
In 1995 WestBam again entered the charts with the remix of the Yello classic "Bostich". The first Members Of Mayday LP entitled "Members only" appeared with all the "Members" hits. In the same year WestBam, Koon and Stephenson cut "Always Music". For this production the two famous studio stars WestBam and Jankuhn joined forces with the Belgian DJ, Axel Stephenson (Bonzai Rec.).
The highlight of 1995 was unquestionably the tenth anniversary of the Low Spirit label commemorated by the double CD "The Age Of The DJ Mixer - 10 Years Of Low Spirit" which included ten titles with WestBam.
1996
DJ WestBam's success story continued through 1996. In January Maximilian Lenz received the highly esteemed cultural award from Berlin's biggest daily paper (BZ) and took his place alongside other award holders such as Mario Adorf, Bernhard Minetti and Otto Sanders.
In mid-1996 he released "Terminator", a clear-cut electronic track that rose quickly to the accustomed popularity in the club scene.
WestBam's next release "Born To Bang" came in November 1996. This track demonstrates yet again the diversity of Max Lenz's musical talents, and shows that WestBam is by no means a dedicated follower of fashion but a genuinely creative trendsetter.
As a DJ, Maximilian Lenz is now known and in demand around the world. He already looks back on many successful tours of the USA, Japan, Australia and Africa. He is regular DJ performer at the Berlin Club "E-Werk" and his gigs at the Mayday events twice a year are always among the highlights.
Also in 1996 JDJ International releases a record called "WestBam - Ich bin ein bass-liner, the purismmix from JDJ".
Without exaggeration, WestBam has had a decisive influence on the techno house cultural movement and his creative impulse is still very much alive and kicking.
1997-2002
In 1997 WestBam published a book he wrote called "Mix, Cuts & Scratches".
In the end of 1997 WestBam released a single called "Hard Times".
WestBam released a single in February 1998 and the name of that single is "Crash Course".
In November 1998 the single "WestBam vs Afrika Bambaataa presents I.F.O. - Aghartha - The City Of Shamballa" was released.
WestBam released the single in February 1999 called "Beatbox Rocker".
Together with Dr.Motte WestBam released a single called "Music Is The Key (Loveparade 99)".
In December 1999 the single "Do The Rambo" was released.
On May 5th, 2000 WestBam released the single "Love Bass".
In June 2000 WestBam released a single together with Dr Motte, called "Love Parade 2000".
In December 2000 WestBam released a vinyl called "Electro Remixes".
In July 19th, 2001 WestBam released a single together with Dr Motte, called "Love Parade 2001".
WestBam and Nena released the single "Oldschool, Baby" on August 19th, 2002.
WestBam released an album called "Right On" on September 9th, 2002.
In December 2002 the single "Recognize" (incl. Tobi Neumann remix) was released.
WestBam vs. Nena released the single "99 Luftballons" on February 27th, 2003.
The techno 12""Der Blaue Planet" was released on July 7th, 2003.
"Right On / Like Ice In The Sunshine" was released on 12" July 28th, 2003 and on cd September 1st, 2003.
Westbam and Afrikan Islam released the single "Dancing With The Rebels" on February 16th, 2004.
Recognize
WestBam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Emphasize, socialize,
Analyze, Recognize.
I'm glad you realize. (Realize)
I'm glad you recognize. (Recognize)
Fertilize, energize,
Brutalize, circumcise,
I'm glad you realize. (Realize)
I'm glad you recognize. (Recognize)
This is the sound,
The sound, the sound, the sound.
This is the sound,
the sound for the underground.
Mesmerize, hypnotize,
Traumatize, dramatize,
Voodorize, humilized.
I'm glad you realize. (Realize)
I'm glad you recognize. (Recognize)
Hypnotize, oversize,
Emphasize, socialize,
Analyze, Recognize.
I'm glad you realize. (Realize)
I'm glad you recognize. (Recognize)
[5x]
This is the sound,
the sound for the underground.
WestBam's song "Recognize" can be interpreted to reflect the mindset of a revolutionary, calling for society to wake up and see the truth that has been hidden from them. The lyrics use powerful verbs such as "hypnotize," "emphasize," and "analyze" to convey the idea of manipulation by those in power. The repetition of the phrases "I'm glad you realize" and "I'm glad you recognize" suggest a sense of urgency for listeners to take action and join in the revolution. The references to circumcision and humiliation may also indicate a desire for a cultural shift away from destructive and oppressive practices. The repetition of the phrase "This is the sound for the underground" reinforces the idea of rebellion and the rejection of mainstream norms.
Line by Line Meaning
Hypnotize, oversize,
Captivate and control while magnifying and expanding.
Emphasize, socialize,
Highlight and bring together in a community or society.
Analyze, Recognize.
Study and understand to give proper credit and acknowledgement.
I'm glad you realize. (Realize)
I am pleased that you have come to understand and accept.
I'm glad you recognize. (Recognize)
I am pleased that you have identified and acknowledged.
Fertilize, energize,
Encourage growth and vitality.
Brutalize, circumcise,
Inflict extreme pain and suffering while removing a part of.
Paralyze, Advertise.
Render immobile and market aggressively.
This is the sound,
This is the type of music.
The sound, the sound, the sound.
The genre, the beat, the melody.
the sound for the underground.
The music that is favored and enjoyed by those associated with counterculture.
Mesmerize, hypnotize,
Fascinate and transfix with mental control.
Traumatize, dramatize,
Cause emotional distress and create an exaggerated storyline.
Voodorize, humilized.
Put under a spell and belittle.
Contributed by Maria B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Robin Fischer
Geiler Track 💛
iMike
Das waren noch Zeiten :)
SENIZALEM
I'm glad you recognize.
:)