Dj Roland

Real name – Ruslan Valeriiovych Azarkin
City – Kyiv (Ukraine)
Language – Ukrainian
Occupation – DJ, sound producer
Genre – house, tech house

Ruslan Azarkin, widely known on the electronic music scene under the stage names DJ Roland and Roland UA, has been a prominent figure in the Ukrainian music industry for many years. He successfully combines several creative roles, working as a DJ, sound producer, remix producer, and vinyl record collector.

His music is regularly played at clubs, festivals, and on radio stations, while his professional style is well recognized by both fellow musicians and electronic music fans. Ruslan is a resident of the Ukrainian label Gonivo Records, has collaborated with DJFM Ukraine for many years, and also founded his own record label, Sweet Music Records, which has become another platform for the development of contemporary electronic music.

The Artist's Journey

The future artist was born and raised in Kyiv, where he spent his childhood and teenage years. After graduating from a local secondary school, Ruslan decided to develop his creative talents and enrolled at the Kyiv College of Theatre and Cinema. There he acquired acting skills, which later proved useful not only on stage but also in film. In particular, the musician appeared in a cameo role as Cult Member No. 3 in the Ukrainian New Year's film "My Grandfather Is Father Frost." Although acting did not become his primary profession, this experience enriched his creative biography and allowed him to reveal another side of his artistic personality.

Musical Career

Ruslan Azarkin made his professional debut as a DJ in 2004. From the very beginning of his career, he constantly experimented with different sounds, gradually shaping his own style while working across various electronic music genres, from progressive house and trance to minimal techno. This continuous creative search helped him develop the distinctive sound that has since become his trademark.

An important milestone in his career was his collaboration with DJFM Ukraine. There, Ruslan became a resident of one of the country's leading dance radio stations and launched his own Sweet Music Radioshow. Thanks to these broadcasts, Azarkin's music reached a wider audience, while the name DJ Roland became well known among electronic music enthusiasts.

Alongside his radio work, the musician actively performed at some of Ukraine's best-known clubs and concert venues. His DJ sets were played at «Bingo, «Green Theatre», «Chashcha», «Vertykal», «Baroque Party Bar», «Zebra», «Gusenica», «Ganesha», «Kaliet», «Iksiia» in Uman, and «Lime». For more than a year, Ruslan was a resident DJ at Iskra and Buka clubs in Bukovel, while for two consecutive seasons he also performed at Korchagin Beach Club. In addition, he was regularly invited to major open-air festivals held both on the banks of the Dnipro River and on the Black Sea coast in Zaliznyi Port.

After the launch of Play TV internet television, DJ Roland became one of its first resident DJs. He also hosted broadcasts on Radio MARS UA, introducing listeners to new releases, original mixes, and the latest trends in electronic music. Another important direction of his career was teaching at TRIO DJ SCHOOL, where he joined the instructors' team and began sharing his professional experience with the next generation of DJs.

Musical Style and Artistic Development

Today, Roland UA is primarily associated with high-quality club music in the house and tech house genres. His live performances stand out thanks to their modern sound, dynamic energy, and his ability to perfectly read the audience's mood. As a result, the artist is regularly invited to perform at major concerts, festivals, and venue openings. Among them was the opening of Feels Garden, where DJ Roland shared the stage with such Ukrainian artists as Wellboy, SUROV, and VERONIKA.

Alongside performing, the musician continues to expand his discography. His tracks, mixes, and releases are available on popular streaming platforms, including Spotify, where they are enjoyed by fans of contemporary electronic music.

Creative Collaborations and Remix Production

Throughout his career, DJ Roland has collaborated with DJs such as BUY ONE GET ONE FREE (Jalsomino & Ml. Key, KISS FM), Sunny (KISS FM), DJ Alessandro, DJ Fetish, Sly-J, Selective, Nixon, Proton, DJ Dany Beam, DJ Cuba, Manyak, Krain, and many others.

One of Roland UA's defining creative strengths is his ability to reinterpret well-known songs and transform popular radio hits into club anthems. His remixes combine contemporary electronic production with dancefloor energy, giving familiar tracks a new life at festivals, concerts, and DJ sets.

In recent years, the musician has been particularly focused on developing Ukrainian electronic ethnic music. His productions blend traditional folk motifs with modern house music, creating contemporary house versions of Ukrainian songs. This approach not only promotes Ukraine's musical heritage among younger audiences but also demonstrates how naturally traditional folk music can coexist with modern electronic sound. This bold artistic vision has established Roland UA as one of the artists shaping new trends in the Ukrainian electronic music scene.

Best-known remixes: