Rico Bernasconi

Rico Bernasconi, whose real name is Rico Alfonso (Alfonso) Bernasconi, is a German DJ and producer born on 31 December 1970 in Fröndenberg, with Greek, Italian and German roots. He was also known under the alias Rico Bass, which he used until 2008.

He played his first DJ sets in 1986 at the age of 15 and became involved in the clubbing scene early on. Over his career he has been (and remains) a member of several projects including Master Blaster and Vinylshakerz, and he is also associated with the group BoomTown. With these groups he reached various high positions in European charts.

In 2003 he released the single Hypnotic Tango, which entered the German Media Control chart at No. 10. In 2004 he formed Vinylshakerz, noted in particular for its remix of One Night in Bangkok (originally released in 1985); the reworked version charted at No. 26 on German Media Control.

From 2008 onward he performed exclusively under the stage name Rico Bernasconi. In early 2009, his single Love Deep Inside reached No. 1 on the VIVA Club Rotation Dance Charts and marked his first appearance in the German charts as a solo artist. Later in 2009 he re-recorded a cover of Cruel Summer, which reached No. 69 in the German charts. Many other tracks followed, regularly placing near the top of the German dance charts.

In 2015 he achieved his biggest commercial success to date with Ebony Eyes, which peaked at No. 28 in the German charts.

In parallel, in 2008 he became an official remixer for several American artists, being accredited by Akon, Coolio, Black Eyed Peas, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott and Timbaland to rework some of their tracks.

In 2004 he co-founded the label Airbase Recordings, which released some of his early material. Most of his singles were later released on Starshit Records and Kontor Records.