Rice, Chicken & Ramen
This article is part of Chinese Noise, a living archive exploring Chinese identity, underground music and cultural memory through 25 years of Hong Kong Violence.
For this edition, we sat down with Mordekaiser, producer, DJ and one of the driving forces behind Cartel+, a project built together with HKV and OTM to support the underground hardcore community.
His introduction to HKV did not begin through a record or a festival. It started during a vinyl expo at Skateland Rotterdam, where he was introduced to members of the HKV crew.
Instead of talking about hardcore, one of his first conversations revolved around the different ways to prepare rice and chicken.
Later that day, a visit to a ramen restaurant resulted in Mordekaiser’s first attempt at eating with chopsticks while surrounded by Chinese diners.
Awkward, intimidating and funny all at once.
Looking back, it perfectly captures his introduction to HKV.
That first meeting eventually led to deeper involvement with HKV, PhonkCartel and Cartel+, while opening the door to collaborations and friendships that continue to this day.
On July 18, Mordekaiser joins the HKV Stage at Dominator Festival 2026 alongside Speedfolter for their first ever B2B performance.
Over the years, that involvement evolved from helping behind the scenes into building projects that support the wider underground hardcore community.
What started with a conversation at a vinyl expo eventually became a long-term collaboration within the HKV family.
For Mordekaiser, one track immediately comes to mind.
Interestingly, he did not even realise it was an HKV release when he first discovered it.
It perfectly represented the raw and uncompromising feeling he associates with the label.
There is one release that holds extra personal meaning for him:
Speedfolter & Mordekaiser – No Competition
The track marked the first collaboration between two artists who had known each other for more than a decade.
For Mordekaiser, releasing the track through HKV felt like everything came full circle.
This time, together with Speedfolter.
For him, the occasion carries extra meaning because it marks the first ever B2B performance between the two.
The collaboration has been years in the making.
Fans can expect a set focused on technical mixing, fast transitions and underground energy.
One thing is clear.
For him, that mentality became increasingly important as he became more involved with the scene himself.
That attitude remains one of the things he admires most about HKV.
For Mordekaiser, it proves that authenticity will always outlast trends.
Over the years, those relationships grew into friendships, collaborations and shared projects.
For him, HKV is a platform that creates opportunities for artists who choose their own path.
More importantly, it gives those artists a place where they do not have to compromise.
HKV x Madness T-Shirt
At that time, he was still part of the This is Madness organisation, a period that played an important role in his journey through hardcore.
For Mordekaiser, that attitude has always defined the platform.
For Mordekaiser, that consistency is what makes HKV special.
Shoutout to everyone who helped build HKV into what it is today and everyone who will continue carrying it into the future.
This article is part of Chinese Noise — a growing archive of stories, memories and voices connected to Hong Kong Violence.
Chinese Noise is a collaboration between SinoHaven and HKV.
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