VERTIC – System Corrupt – XPLR
Buy link: orcd.co/verticsystemcorrupt
After three decades immersed in global house music culture, Rocco Rodamaal launches XPLR (pronounced “Explore”), a new label conceived alongside his established imprint, Memories Records. Described as “a moving reflection of the world through sound,” XPLR is envisioned as a platform for expression in motion, embracing house, techno, experimental sounds, and the instinctive spaces that exist between them.
Over the years, Rocco has built an extensive catalogue through labels such as Buzzin’ Fly, Freerange, COD3 QR, Rekids, MAW, and Defected, earning support from artists including Laurent Garnier, Louie Vega, Black Coffee, and Dixon. His long-standing connection with South Africa has also become a defining part of his journey, with regular tours since 2008 and support from key figures such as Christos, Shimza, Themba, Enoo Napa, and Kid Fonque.
Born from the word “Explore,” XPLR is rooted in curiosity, intuition, and creative freedom. Developed by Rocco Rodamaal alongside Memories Records, the label reflects years of travel and deep engagement with global musical cultures. At its core lies the belief that art is a materialized sphere of ideas, where sound, design, and technology intersect to create new perspectives. Rather than adhering to a single style, XPLR seeks to explore the full spectrum of house music, techno, and experimental sounds, acting as both a platform for discovery and a mirror of contemporary times through the artistic vision of its collaborators.
Launching the label is SYSTEM CORRUPT, the debut XPLR release from South African producer and DJ VERTIC.
Born and raised in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, VERTIC first emerged as part of Deep Narratives before releasing music on Sondela Recordings, BFM Records, and Madorasindahouse Records. Through tracks such as “Surfaces” and “1996,” he has steadily developed a sound defined by depth, tension, and movement.
The story behind SYSTEM CORRUPT is not one of sudden breakthrough, but of gradual artistic clarity. Rather than chasing prevailing trends, VERTIC allowed his sound to evolve naturally, refining his ideas until support from fellow artists and reactions on dancefloors confirmed that the music had found its own identity.
As Rocco explains:
“XPLR comes from a need to keep moving. After all these years, I still feel that music is about curiosity, travel, people and moments. I wanted to create a space where those things can exist without being forced into one fixed sound.”
Speaking about the label’s first release, he adds:
“I’ve had a strong connection with South Africa for a long time, through the dancefloors, the people and the artists. VERTIC’s music felt right for the first XPLR release because it has its own movement. It doesn’t try too hard to explain itself, it just finds its place.”
VERTIC reflects on the journey behind the release:
“At first, I wasn’t sure where this sound would fit. I just knew it felt right to me. When I started hearing DJs I respect playing the tracks and seeing crowds respond, it gave me a quiet confidence that the music had its own place.”
Release date: June 26th, 2026.