R/HOOD will present how its formidable app works in observe at MMATH, the unbiased digital music trade gathering returning for its fifth anniversary in Amsterdam from October 21-24.
One doomscrolling session by Instagram’s abyss of selling bros and wellness influencers is all it takes to know that follower counts may be purchased, borrowed and inflated. A brand new app, R/HOOD, goals to alter that digital hellscape for DJs by discovering them alternatives primarily based on their advantage and expertise.
The corporate says its group just lately handed 3,000 members and has labored with Adidas, Google, Doc Martens and different manufacturers, who belief it to seek out unheralded expertise.
“What fueled us to start out R/HOOD was the plain lack of illustration and truthful play when it got here to championing and offering expertise with alternatives,” the platform’s co-founder Johan Wendner tells EDM.com. “We wished to create an incubator for expertise meritocracy. No matter the place you come from, your ability stage or how a lot expertise you’ve gotten, there’s a area for you at R/HOOD.”
Each DJ begins by verifying their id, getting authorized and importing an ‘Audio ID,’ a mixture of 30 to 40 minutes that serves as a listening pattern of their style and technical ability. Manufacturers can browse these mixes and filter by style, power, model and geography, which provides them one thing to listen to earlier than they e book, regardless of the DJ’s follower rely seems to be like.
In terms of the alternatives pipeline, a model submits a short for a gig, marketing campaign, occasion or playlist, and R/HOOD’s mannequin scores DJs on style, audio high quality, location, availability and relevance. Matching briefs seem in a feed within the DJ’s app, the place a proper swipe applies and a left swipe skips.
The corporate says every swipe feeds again into its AI mannequin. A human reviewer then checks the AI’s output earlier than a ranked shortlist reaches the model, which might hearken to Audio IDs, message DJs straight and ship gives.
R/HOOD describes itself as an invisible blanket of safety between expertise and the manufacturers or promoters who rent them. Cost is secured earlier than any alternative will get uploaded, so a DJ is paid in full the second the job wraps up. That stage of equity in paying creatives on time and within the full quantity is “remarkable,” in keeping with Wendner.
After every job, manufacturers fee the DJ and the DJ earns credit, which elevate their visibility in future matches. R/HOOD frames this rating system as a method to ship work towards energetic, well-reviewed performers.
The app will get a reside stress take a look at in Amsterdam on the 2026 version of Meet Me At The Lodge, the place it’s going to function the gateway to lots of the occasion’s onsite alternatives. Attendees can use it to use for showcase units, safe livestreaming slots with companions similar to EDM.com and e book session time within the DistroKid music studio.
The identical feed that handles model briefs will carry these occasion alternatives. MMATH is celebrating its fifth anniversary this 12 months, internet hosting numerous panels, networking occasions, events and model activations on the Room Mate Aitana. The idea turns the waterfront resort right into a bustling assembly level for digital music trade professionals from October 21-24.
Come and be part of us at MMATH 2026 and obtain R/HOOD on the App Retailer now.
