“Wait…. actually they’re more like diplomatic ambassadors to mayhem – playing music to move crowds and maybe incite some necessary rioting at your favorite nightclubs”
Remember those kids in high school who were always buzzing over underground music trends, banging on lockers for impromptu covers of their favorite songs, and chatting up everyone in the hallways about the weekend’s parties? Yea, well those guys are DJs now.
Wait…. actually they’re more like diplomatic ambassadors to mayhem – playing music to move crowds and maybe incite some necessary rioting at your favorite nightclubs. It’s cool though; you’re invited to join the high-decibel debauchery that permeates through the speakers when Menace Cartel controls the turntables.
Dennis Gutierrez and Mike Henriquez are Menace Cartel.The name may sound like a south-of-the-border crime syndicate; but get to know this rising, New Jersey-bred, DJ-duo and you’ll see why they sport shirts and hats draped with the tagline, “Nobody Special.” Gutierrez and Henriquez both come from humble beginnings, with a fan-first approach to music.
These are the dudes who can go from a mosh-pit at a hard core show, to sneaking flasks of rum into an mc battle, and then show up at a rave with theirs hands stretched to the ceiling. They just love music – which makes it so easy to love them.
VENUES PLAYED:
HQ2 (Atlantic City)
Premier (Atlantic City)
Bungalow Beach (Atlantic City) Current Residency)
Haven (Atlantic City)
Anthem Lounge (Atlantic City)
Cuba Libre (Atlantic City)
Dusk (Atlantic City)
Foundation Room (Atlantic City)
Headliner (NJ)
Gardendale Social Club (Philadelphia)
Zee Bar ( Philadelphia)
Down (Philadelphia)
Stratus (Philadelphia)
Morgan's Pier (Philadelphia)
Vesper (Philadelphia
U-Bahn (Philadelphia)
Coda (Philadelphia)
Monarch Pool (Philadelphia)
LIT Ultrabar (Philadelphia)
Hudson Terrace (NYC)
The Attic (NYC)
Gansevoort Park Avenue (NYC)
Cellar (NYC)
Monarch Rooftop (NYC)
Highline Ballroom (NYC)
Pacha (NYC)
Space (NYC)
Menace Cartel thrives off audience energy, and the connection is genuine because they embrace the fact that they’re long-time music enthusiasts themselves. They aren’t afraid to jump in the crowd, or pour Jameson from the bottle into a fan’s mouth off stage. Whatever it takes to turn up the party – whatever it takes to transform the music into an experience.
After forming their DJ tandem in 2011, the pair spent 3 years just polishing their craft and exploring sounds until they solidified an identity. From vocal house, to electro, to disco-house – they found a comfort zone in the sub-genres of the late 2000’s EDM boom, with grooves and bass-lines that really captivated crowds.
It wasn’t long before Menace Cartel found themselves on stages throughout Philly and Atlantic City going from openers, to room-filling headliners. Still, with a growing following of music-loving, zero-f*cks-given-fans lining up to hear their sets – the duo still identifies by the mantra, “Nobody Special.”
Menace Cartel is the type of group that you’d find in the crowd, letting loose to the music at a Menace Cartel concert. That type of love, energy and authenticity is what makes for star-quality. That star-quality is what has these two fiery djs impacting the music scene now, and with much to look forward to in the future.
SUPPORT:
GTA
Lil Jon
VICE
Fedde Le Grand
Nervo
Sultan & Shepard
Blasterjaxx
Solidisco
TWRK
Walden
Cedric Jervais
Sandro Silva
Oliver Twitz
Manufactured Superstars
Vinai
New World Sound
Dirty South Joe
Fat Man Scoop
Nelly
Sasha Grey
Mark Eteson