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Uruguay born Valentino Canzani Mora, grew up in southern Paris listening to the sounds of West-Coast Hip-Hop and Southern Crunk blaring through his headphones. So when it came time to chose a DJ name, he chose a beloved US food, French Fries. With his father being a sound-engineer and producer of Latin music, by the age of 10, French Fries was already making rap beats in his dad’s studio. It wasn’t until he was 14 that he would start DJing.

French Fries recalls, “…this guy, Ministre X – Tchiky Al Dente, use to date my sister years ago, and he’s a DJ. And I was like ‘Eh, DJ. That looks so cool!’ I was like ‘Can you teach me [how to] scratch and stuff?’ And I just went to his club, Favela Chique and he taught me how to play. I stayed there for basically two years — had a residency.” French Fries immediately received bookings playing everything from Brazillian Baile Funk to hip-hop. During this time, he began to take an interest in house music production, developing that signature ghetto sound he is known for today.

French Fries has been called “a name at the forefront of the ‘nouvel scene’ of bass-orientated beats sweeping through the clubbing world.” In 2011, his debut Champagne/Hugz EP on his own imprint ClekClekBoom, charted in Beatport’s Top 10 and sold out on vinyl almost as soon as it had been released. His track “Yo Vogue,” co-released with the Bay Area’s dirtybird label in 2012 is one of his most successful releases to date, featuring an equally popular remix by another label boss, Claude Vonstroke.

We’re hoping to see some vogue-ing on the dance floor when French Fries makes his way to Sun City Music Festival this coming Labor Day weekend. Have you bought your tickets yet?

One of our favorite parts of a festival is that moment when the crowd starts clapping together. The DJ will turn down the volume, and all you can hear are the voices of thousands around you singing acapella while keeping time with that steady “clap.” We’re sure you’ll get a dose of the “clap wave” when you join us at Sun City Music Festival this Labor Day Weekend at Ascarate Park. Have you bought your tickets yet?

This week in our Sun City Weekly Playlist, we’re paying homage to percussion and all of its forms. Whether you’re a fan of the acapella clap like we are, or you’re a fan of broken beats, we’ve got five tracks by our talented roaster that will get you in the mood to bang the drums.

Droog, Inxec – Mountain Drop (Original Mix)

Out on the Last Night on Earth label, Droog teamed up with Inxec for their Wide Open EP. Mountain Dew is the B-side.

Why We Love It

Instantly transported to the beautiful beach shores of a dream vacation spot, Mountain Dew has that island tribal vibe from the moment the song starts. As the pulsing horns guide you throughout the piece, the layers of percussion gradually multiply. We’ve listened to “Mountain Dew” over and over, and we still seem to hear something new every time.

Stefano Noferini – The End (Club Mix)

The Italian king of tech house Stefano Noferini is back on the revered Spinnin’ Records with brand new banger “The End.”

Why We Love It

The psychedelically driven percussive track, features a sample from classic rock group, The Doors. With a rolling bass line, chatty snares and a pounding beat that you can’t help but to dance to, this track is fit for banging on any drum.

Huey – Pop Lock N’ Drop (Candyland’s OG Remix)

In celebration of their performance at Escapade Music Festival, Candyland gave away their latest OG remix for “Pop Lock N Drop.”

Why We Love It

We love a good throw back. And Candyland’s edit of Huey’s “Pop Lock N Drop” is on point. Utilizing their signature sound, fully equipped with yes, you guessed it, claps, this track has been known to induce a “clap-off.”

Sven Stout – Genie (GTA Drop The Bass Edit)

To celebrate breaking 20k on Twitter, the boys of GTA decided to release a pack of bootlegs and special edits. Genie (GTA Drop The Bass Edit) is one of our favorites.

Why We Love It

The techy house intro for GTA’s Drop The Bass edit of “Genie” is a little bit misleading, but in the best way possible. We love the bassy kick drum-driven breakdown. Very future bass sounding.

Iamamiwhoami – Y (Brodinski Remix)

Brodinski releases a brand new remix for Iamamiwhoami

Why We Love It

We hope you guys like a hard, broken house beat because Brodinski’s revamped version of “Y” is definitely an ode to the older schools of breaks, techno and electro. The crisp snares also make for clap-worthy, back alley party. Let’s go to the warehouse with this one.