Interview with Vinyl Collector Gerard Welling
Behind every record collection is a story. A first purchase, an unexpected find, or an album tied to a special memory. For BDEL Records, we speak with Gerard Welling, a 30-year-old hip hop enthusiast who has been collecting vinyl since he was twenty. Over the past ten years, he has built a collection of around 500 records. We talk to him about his love for hip hop, the joy of collecting, and the stories behind his records.
1. Gerard, how did your love for vinyl begin?
I already loved hip hop, but when I started collecting records at twenty, listening became a different experience. Holding the artwork, reading the credits and playing an album from beginning to end made me appreciate the music even more. After buying my first few records, I wanted to keep discovering more.
2. Do you remember the first record you bought?
Yes, the first record I bought was All Eyez on Me by 2Pac. That first purchase will always be special to me.
3. You now own around 500 records. How has your collection developed?
My collection has grown gradually over ten years. In the beginning, I mainly bought albums I already loved. Later, I started discovering more artists and listening to releases I had missed. Each discovery led to another. I never had a particular number in mind; I just kept finding music I wanted to own.
4. What draws you to hip hop?
The beats catch my attention first, but the lyrics and the artist’s personality make me keep listening. I love how different each album can feel. Through samples, hip hop also introduces me to older music and artists I might never have discovered otherwise.
5. What has been your most memorable record find?
The Torture Papers by Army of the Pharaohs. I had been searching for that album for a long time and eventually found it at a record fair in Amsterdam. After such a long search, finally finding that record made it even more special.
6. Which record would you never part with?
The Untouchable by Scarface. That is a record I would never part with, and it will always have a place in my collection.
7. How far have you gone to get a record?
I’ve travelled quite a distance because a shop had something I was looking for. Once I arrived, I naturally had to browse the rest of the shop too. A trip for one record rarely ends with just one record.
8. Have you ever regretted a purchase?
Yes. I once let an attractive pressing convince me before I had properly listened to the album. It looked beautiful, but I hardly played it. Since then, I try to put the music first. The best records in my collection are the ones I keep returning to.
9. What makes listening on vinyl special to you?
It helps me slow down. I choose an album, take the record out of its sleeve and give the music my attention. I still use streaming to discover music, but with vinyl I’m more likely to listen to the whole album and notice the details.
10. What advice would you give someone starting a collection?
Start with music you love. You don’t need hundreds of records or expensive editions to enjoy collecting. Take your time, check the condition when buying used records and stay within your budget. Build a collection you enjoy listening to.
For me, hip hop is more than music — every record holds a story, a memory, and a piece of the culture I love. — Gerard Welling