Silviu Slavu AKA Top Shotta AKA @topshottanuhmiss is one of Munich’s most influential individuals, a DJ, style icon and bombastic lover of bikes. Hood-respected and soundsystem-approved, Silviu’s ethos revolves around finding the right beat and riding in the big ring. He’s bringing the truest version of himself to riding and we want to find out how doing his own thing is working out.
Top Shotta’s DJ set on SWU.FM
Munich, 18.30 on a Friday, overcast and drizzling. We’re waiting for Silviu aka Top Shotta for a post-work ride, expecting him to rock up in the finest Castelli garb from head-to-toe to match his Di Luca race bike, but he’s in Biehler kit with a freshly groomed moustache when he collects us from the station.
GRAN FONDO
Most of our readers probably won’t know you, so how should we introduce you? What’s your story? What gets you excited? What’s your game?
Top Shotta
Too right. I’m a man of art and culture, but also known for balling on what I call the pleashurr rides (“Jenussfahrten”) with a 375 ml bottle of cristal in a jersey pocket, plus organising ‘Schwer & Falsch’ rides with my unsanctioned cycling club Schranz 04 Racing. I’m originally from Romania but I’ve lived in Munich for an eternity. It’s hard to say what drives me: on a bike, it’s got to be the thought that there’s always something you can improve – whether it’s your equipment or how you ride. That you can push through what you think are your limits. And, sure, I want to bring self-expression – cycling needs that. Musically, it’s about giving something of cultural value to the crowd. Unfortunately, this city has been conditioned so that after a week of 9 to 5s, all people want to do is numb their senses and don’t care what comes out of the soundsystem. The mission, or game, is about upholding musical diversity in the city and showing the world that Munich has more to offer than Oktoberfest, disco and Bussi Bussi, a cheesy nightclub institution.
GRAN FONDO
Clearly cycling and your work as a DJ are big parts of who you are, but how did you first get into music and what have been the biggest influences?
Top Shotta
I always loved music and kept away from the mainstream. At the beginning I just wanted to collect records, but a friend told me to create, not collect and it went from there. I ended up becoming a DJ/producer and set up my label Ruffhouse. I’m into subcultures from all over the world but mainly the UK, where bass-heavy music has been around a long time. UK Funky, dubstep, grime, footwork and UK garage are where I get my influences.
GRAN FONDO
How did your label Ruffhouse Industries take shape?
Top Shotta
Ruffhouse started as a club night here in Munich but quickly turned – and we’re talking during the era of SoundCloud – into a global label, bringing together artists from Helsinki to Seoul. Over the years we’ve established ourselves in the scene and thanks to Julian Pfeiffer, our art director, we’ve even designed and launched our own cycling apparel kit with our signature look, bringing club vibes to road riding.
Ruffhouse Industries’ Playlist
GRAN FONDO
Much like the music you make, your approach to riding is anything but mainstream. From silver chains, bombastic Italian bikes and de rigour Oakley sunnies, you’re definitely bringing your thing to cycling, but if you had to define your thing, what would it be? What does cycling mean to you?
Top Shotta
SThat’s a tough one. I’d have to say that I bring urban culture to cycling. Ever since I got into riding, that was always missing – the style and the way people rode just jarred with me. It felt like people only cared about ancient training methods and 365 days of base miles to get ready for some gran fondo in the Alps. I was more about shifting into the big ring and smashing it. I’m stoked that it has finally become acceptable thanks to Julien from 8000 Watt. I don’t ride because I want to copy the pros by climbing famous mountains from Grand Tours (and no, not just because I’m built like a sprinter). When I’m giving everything I’ve got, riding gives me a sense of freedom and inner peace. It’s less about admiring the views. Sure, I’m not averse to riding for pleashurr but there’s gotta be some chilled Cremant for those.
GRAN FONDO
You’re out on the streets riding solo by day, but on packed dancefloors by night. Do these worlds collide or live side by side?
Top Shotta
Easy, I bring the energy from the club out to my riding, and that gives me balance back.
GRAN FONDO
From the UCI WorldTour to the domestic elite scene, the world of cycling is undergoing a shift. We’re seeing pro road riders from teams like EF Education-Nippo and BORA-hansgrohe at gravel races and even multi-stage MTB races like the Cape Epic. How do you see the road riding scene develop?
Top Shotta
I see cycling taking on a more an interdisciplinary edge, which hopefully means more events of that sort will exist for the masses too. As the lines between road, mountain bike and gravel get blurrier and harder to define, I think this will let bike fans not feel restricted to just one discipline and they’ll be out on everything. On a personal level, I can confirm that switching your road bike for a fully from time to time is no less lit.
GRAN FONDO
What does your dream bike look like?
Top Shotta
Super aero, Italian, a custom paint job, and a Super Record 12-speed EPS groupset. I don’t want to namedrop but I’m big into a DOGMA F – so Fausto P, if you’re reading this, holla!
GRAN FONDO
… and your perfect evening?
Top Shotta
If you’d asked me in the past I’d have said you’ll find me in a small club with a phat soundsystem, my Ruffhouse Industries crew and some white wine spritzers – but given the current situation, that’s a bit irresponsible, right. These days, give me my girl, a couple of lamb skewers and a big pot of chai tea at my fave BBQ restaurant.
GRAN FONDO
There’s an authenticity about you being you and you don’t seem like someone who’d ever bend over to be something you’re not. But at the same time, the idea of your pleashurr rides show a sense of irony and self-deprecation. Why is it so important to do your own thing – and how do find the courage to do it?
Top Shotta
Top Shotta
When I discover cycling, I really fell for the sport – but the scene just didn’t connect with me. People often take themselves too seriously, which takes away not only the fun but above all the opportunity to be yourself. The sort of self-irony that you see me portraying is part of the vibe I want to convey to show those on the outside that our sport does have character. Just relax, right. If you feel like you don’t fit in, then you’ve got to forge your own niche – especially if you want to keep your integrity. It takes effort to ignore existing norms, but you’ve got to ask yourself: would adapting to fit in make me happy or are I likelier to be happier just doing my own thing? By asking that question, you find some courage. And each time you face a choice, think of your first answer, period.
Top Shottas ÖPNV-Playlist
Tune in!
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Words: Benjamin Topf Photos: Christoph Bayer, Patrick Pilz
