In 2006, EXo becomes the first DJ to pioneer the fresh dubstep genre in Bulgaria - the audience is shocked, yet fascinated by the unexpected beat and bass pressure. That’s enough of a reason for dubstep to become EXo’s primary focus in the years to com..

Behind the codename EXo (mind the capital X) we find Gheorghi Penkov - a person known for his numerous activities, both in art and science. Born in 1980, he already has a definite musical experience - as a DJ, producer, promoter, music journalist and beatbox/darbuka performer. Jorro, as his friends call him, is open to every genre as long as it brings experiment and new ideas.

EXo’s interest in music production and mixing dates back to 1995 when he initially got interested in interactive multimedia demos. Together with friend Martin Hristov, Gheorghi starts the demo group Ancient Media, that in consequently released the two demos – Idleness (’96) and Water Illusions (‘97). Demos are highly technological short video productions (10 mins) that render audio and video in real time.

This early interest in multimedia triggers EXo’s passion for electronic music. Between 1998-2001 he produces ambient and downtemp tracks under the SentagriS moniker. Unfortunately most of these never get released, since in 90s there is no label or company interested in such sound in Bulgaria,... net-labels are yet to come. Years later, two of these tracks are included in the digital releases Wamoxyn (2003, Z-dimension) and Acnod Tucmod Tipo (2007, Contone Records).

With his typical perfectionism and endless energy,EXo continues his search for new sound experimenting with electronics, beat-boxing and darbuka/djembe drums. Soon after he finds the drum and bass that and it takes over his focus.

EXo joins H.M.S.U. by appointment with Dimitar “Targy” Dimitrov, and is with the organization since it’s very first days. By that time he's a junior drum and bass DJ, one that in the course of time gets totally devoted to the classic drum and bass (it's what we nowadays call oldskool). After H.M.S.U’s third openair festival EXo’s focus starts to slowly shift towards jungle, and eventually dub music. During his sporadic 2003-2005 appearances on H.M.S.U. events he selects mostly roots and tech dub. Then suddenly, in 2005, he goes back to dub and eventually reaches dubstep - a new sound that fundamentally changes his view on bass music, and puts his musical roaming to an end.

Up to date EXo has presented dubstep on more than 70 venues, and for the listening pleasure of Bulgarian, Romanian and Greek audiences. He has performed on one stage with artists like Mary Anne Hobbs /BBC Radio1/, Foreign Beggars, Bar9, Luke Envoy et. al.

In 2007, on two big venues, HMSU’s Summer Open-air Festival 2007 and at Drum and Jazz 2007, EXo presented his experimental live dupstep project together with popular drummer Victor Alexandrov (known from the Liquid Pension progressive band). In 2010 EXo presented a unique blend of dub step and cello performance along with Magdalena Petrovitch.

EXo is also responsible for the logistics and coordination of number of H.M.S.U. activities. He and Martin Popov are the leading promoters for more than 70 events. Since mid 2005, EXo is involved in every single H.M.S.U. event. EXo also drives the Mirizma events – a musical platform for experimental and down temp performances.

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ULTIMATE NYE FEST SOFIA 2025