How Rejection from Spinnin' Records Led to Success at Amsterdam Dance Event

The year was 2017.

I was young, hungry, and managing BEAUZ: an up-and-coming DJ & producer duo from LA.

Our music was gaining traction, and I decided to shoot for the top: Spinnin' Records, the world's biggest EDM label at the time. After a few unanswered emails, I figured since I was already in The Netherlands, I'd take a chance and go directly to their office.

The Day Spinnin' Records Turned Me Away

Kid you not, I hopped on a train to Hilversum and walked right up to the iconic Spinnin' Records office. I didn’t have a meeting or an invitation. All I had was a USB stick that felt like a golden ticket and the belief that our music just needed to be heard by the right people.

I rang the doorbell.

Before I could even introduce myself, a voice on the intercom politely asked me to leave.

The walk away from that building was humiliating.

It had taken hours to get there, and the rejection was instant and absolute.

That simple "No" hit me hard.

But as the sting faded, it was replaced by a fire. That moment of music industry rejection wasn't an end; it was a beginning.

The Full-Circle Moment: Signing with Spinnin' Records at Amsterdam Dance Event

That "No" became my ultimate motivation.

It was a test from the universe asking, "How badly do you want this?"

Every closed door that followed wasn't a setback but a stepping stone, pushing us to work harder and perfect our craft until our vision was undeniable.

Fast forward to Amsterdam Dance Event 2019.

Meeting with the Spinnin' Records team at Amsterdam Dance Event 2019.

I was walking towards that very same office, but this time, the story was different. I wasn't an outsider hoping for a chance; I was an invited guest. I sat at the boardroom table with industry legends like Roger de Graaf (CEO @ Spinnin' Records) and Jorn Heringa (Head of A&R).

We weren't just having a meeting. We were signing my artist, BEAUZ, as the first-ever artist on the brand-new Spinnin' Records Asia. Standing there, in the heart of the most important week for dance music, Amsterdam Dance Event, I realized the rejection two years prior wasn't a failure. It was a necessary part of the artist success story.

An Invitation: Join My Free Monetunes Event at ADE 2025

This year, I'm returning to Amsterdam Dance Event once again, but my mission has evolved.

I'm coming back with Monetunes, to host our own event with our own incredible artists.

To bring this journey full circle, we're opening our doors to the community that shaped us.

I want to provide the opportunity I never had that day in 2017.

Our door will be open to everyone.

• No Tickets: The event is completely free.

• Nothing to Sell: We’re here to connect and build community.

• Open Bar: Come have a drink on us and celebrate the spirit of music.

  
  

Meet our artists, learn about our vision, and share a drink with others who understand the hustle. Let’s celebrate the journey together at ADE 2025.

RSVP here: Monetunes x ADE Free Event