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| A-Trak | |
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| Name | A-Trak |
A-Trak
Alain Macklovitch, known professionally as A-Trak, is a Canadian DJ, turntablist, producer, and label executive. He rose to prominence through competitive DJing and later expanded into electronic music production, collaborations across hip hop and dance music, and the founding of influential record labels. His career intersects with figures and institutions across hip hop, electronic dance music, and contemporary pop.
Born in Saint-Luc, Quebec, Macklovitch is the sibling of musicologist and producer David Macklovitch (member of Chromeo) and grew up in an Anglophone and Francophone household in Montreal. He attended local schools and developed early interests in DJ equipment associated with scenes in Toronto, New York City, and Los Angeles. Family ties connected him indirectly to networks including representatives of Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and independent outlets such as Ninja Tune. Early exposure to vinyl and mixtape culture linked him to artists like Run-D.M.C., Beastie Boys, DJ Premier, and Grandmaster Flash.
He first gained international attention via victories at competitions such as the DMC World DJ Championship and regional events in Canada and the United States. His DMC win aligned him with predecessors and contemporaries like Qbert, Mix Master Mike, DJ Shadow, and Cut Chemist. These achievements led to connections with labels and promoters including Mo' Wax, Def Jam Recordings, and festival organizers for Coachella, Glastonbury Festival, and SXSW. He toured with hip hop acts and DJs from scenes represented by Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Kanye West, and Jay-Z, further cementing his reputation in turntablism and live DJ performance.
Transitioning into production, he released solo material that bridged club-oriented dance music and hip hop, collaborating with vocalists and producers affiliated with Roc Nation, Atlantic Records, and EMI. His solo singles and EPs featured guest appearances or remixes involving artists such as Kanye West, Skrillex, Pharrell Williams, RZA, and Kid Cudi. He worked in studios associated with producers like Mark Ronson, Timbaland, and Danger Mouse, and his production credits connected him to catalogues distributed by Warner Music Group and independent imprints tied to XL Recordings. Releases on vinyl, digital platforms, and streaming services brought him into playlists alongside Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Diplo, and Avicii.
He co-founded and performed with ensembles and duos that merged turntablism with dance music aesthetics, working alongside artists from Chromeo, Duck Sauce, Justice, Soulwax, and The Chemical Brothers. Collaborative singles and tour lineups linked him with vocalists and rappers such as Pharcyde, Common, Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, and producers like The Alchemist. Group projects and one-off collaborations often involved remix exchanges with labels including Ministry of Sound, Big Beat Records, and Mad Decent, and appearances on packages alongside Disclosure, Flume, Major Lazer, and Gesaffelstein.
He founded and managed imprints that emphasized cross-genre releases, catalog curation, and talent development, collaborating with A&R executives and partners from entities like Def Jam, Republic Records, and Island Records. His label activities connected to distribution networks operated by Universal Music Group and independent aggregators used by Warp Records and Domino Recording Company. He also engaged in branding and endorsements with equipment manufacturers such as Pioneer DJ, technology firms like Apple Inc. and Native Instruments, and fashion collaborators tied to HUF and Supreme. His executive roles involved scouting artists who later worked with producers and labels including Arca, Jamie xx, Skepta, and Mura Masa.
His style synthesizes elements from hip hop turntablism traditions and contemporary electronic dance music forms, drawing inspiration from DJs and producers such as Grandmaster Flash, DJ Premier, J Dilla, Daft Punk, Aphex Twin, and Fatboy Slim. He incorporates scratching, beat juggling, and sampling techniques associated with turntablists like Butterfly and Invisible Skratch Piklz members, while employing production approaches similar to Metro Boomin, Just Blaze, and No I.D.. His remixes and live sets often juxtapose material from artists including The Weeknd, Beyoncé, Drake, Adele, and Bruno Mars.
He has received accolades in competitive DJing such as the DMC World DJ Championship title and industry recognition from outlets and institutions including Billboard, Rolling Stone, NME, and award ceremonies linked to MTV and national music academies. Media coverage and curated lists have placed him alongside peers like Eric Prydz, Sasha (DJ), Richie Hawtin, and Carl Cox for contributions to DJ culture and electronic music. His labels and collaborative projects have been nominated for awards and featured in retrospectives by cultural organizations and festivals including Red Bull Music Academy, BBC Radio 1, and Fondation de la Culture du Québec.
Category:Canadian DJs Category:Canadian record producers