DJ LOVE: THE FATHER OF BUDOTS
Emerging in the early 2000s, Budots blends trance, house, and street dance culture into a fast-paced, unpredictable sound filled with looping beats and playful vocal samples. The name Budots comes from Cebuano slang for tambay (slacker), reflecting its raw, street-born energy. Originally an underground phenomenon, Budots quickly spread through barangay dance battles, fiestas, and online videos, becoming a nationwide sensation.
DJ Love has since taken Budots to the global stage. His 2023 album Budots World (Reloaded) was released under Eastern Margins, introducing his sound to electronic music fans worldwide. He has also performed on Boiler Room and NTS Radio, proving that Budots is more than just a local trend–it’s a legitimate genre with deep cultural roots.
For DJ Love, Budots is more than just “dance for the slums”–it’s a way of empowering communities. He envisions his music as a tool to keep young people away from gangs, crime, and drugs, instead offering them a creative outlet through dance and music.
From Davao’s streets to the world stage, his beats continue to make people move, proving that Budots is here to stay.
Watch DJ Love’s Boiler Room Set Here: