The seminal French Hip Hop producer back with a bang
Parisian abstract maestro DJ Cam is well known for his radical reinventions, a life-long musician who’s groundbreaking work established him as a pioneer in the worlds of underground hip-hop, trip-hop, and the dance scenes stretching from New York to Paris to Tokyo and beyond. Drawing inspiration from the hypnotic trance of voodoo culture, Public Enemy, dub and easy-listening jazz, Cam’s style assumes a new identity with each and every project since he first hit the scene in 1994 with his debut Underground Vibes and continues to redefine many of the sounds he had a hand in creating throughout his career. Dan Prince speaks to the man himself ahead of a massive date at Soundcrash in London and a brand new remixed version of ‘Seven’…
Welcome to DMCWORLD Magazine Laurent. A brand new remixed version of ‘Seven’ swings our way on October 1st with some quality reworks. Can you talk us though each remixer and what they have produced on your beloved tracks…
“Hello Dan! Oh my god, here is the list of the tracks with the remixes:
California Dreamin : remixed by Omar Paraiso, new slow house style
Swim : remixed by Blackjoy, new disco with an African touch
Uncomfortable : remixed by Reflex, Kitsuné style
Love : remixed by Blockhead , abstract hip hop remix
Uncomfrotable : remixed by James Curd, DFA style
Uncomfrotable : remixed by FaltyDL, intelligent dubstep / breakbeat
Swim : remixed by Nick Cooke , electronic remix with a pop touch
California Dreamin : remixed by Pharao Black magic, new disco
Swim : remixed by Conforce, deep techno remix with a Detroit feeling
Love : remixed by Alex Tassel , beautiful cinematic trip hop remix
Califronia Dreamin : remixed by Drop out orchestra , new disco
Uncomfortable : remixed by Second Date, pop with an electronic and a modern hip hop touch.”
When ‘Seven’ was released in 2011 you explained that you wanted free reign, total freedom and the chance to go in the studio on your own to experiment. So why did you choose one year later to have the album remixed with other producers touching your work?
“They love the album and the music and they wanted to do a remix. So we started the project like that and we ended with a full album. Different styles and a different direction. It’s also a way for me to “touch ” a new audience.”
You dedicated ‘Seven’ to the group Massive Attack – what are your thoughts on EMI releasing a brand new remixed and re-mastered version of ‘Blue Lines’ in November?
“Massive Attack is my favorite group. I would loved to be remixed by massive attack or any collaboration with them. I’m ready to do a remix for free!!!! Please contact me . I can’t wait to have the new version. ‘Blue Lines’ is my all time classic.”
“No at all, we were very naive and impulsive, everything was spontaneous. We were so creative, we created such a lot of different types of music with our French influences and way of living.”
You have remixed some absolute superstars over the years including Michael Jackson, Cypress Hill and Miles Davis. What one rework are you the most proudest of to date?
“Miles Davis , it’s not my best remix , but I was so proud to be contacted by the Miles Davis family to do a remix. It was a big honour, they told me that they loved my music.”
One of our favourite quotes from you is “I love Hip Hop like Madonna loves dick.” You must really love Hip Hop then? Who were your early artist influences back in the day that have developed your sound today?
“To be honest it’s a sample from Dr Dre, I thought it was funny. I was very young and a little bit stupid, and used to smoke too much!!!!! It’s part of my childhood!!!! I respect Madonna a lot. It was a second degree sample. I’m such a big fan of DJ Premier, he is my favorite producer. Pete Rock, Gang Starr, Compton Most Wanted were my best group . I still collect all the DJ Premier productions.”
You are appearing at the brilliant looking Soundcrash event at The HMV Forum in London in October with The Herbaliser, Belleruche and DJ Food – what can we expect from you on the night and who are you looking forward to chucking out?
“As you know, I came from hip hop culture, so my way of mixing music is hip hop and I scratch sometimes. I play hip hop, new disco, some soulfull house, breakbeat. I’m very eclectic but with a direction and a nice technique. My DJ set has got soul and a “black feeling”, warm music that makes you dance.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
DJ Cam ‘Swim Blackjoy’ remix
DJ Cam ‘Uncomfortable James Curd’ remix
Nas ‘The Don’
Toomy Disco ‘Outstanding’
The Dead Rose Music ‘Just A Bitter Love’
6th Borough Project ‘Mclovin’
Nicholas ‘All The Thrills”
Torae ‘For The Record”
Villa ‘Beats Of Love Dub’
The Gaslamp Killer ‘Flange Face edit’
Bentley Bass Music ‘Ubud’
Brioski ‘Daily Invasion’
“Toomy Disco ‘Outstanding’
Who are the producers from around the world that you are giving high fives to at the moment?
“Deepchord, DJ Premier, Clams Casino, 6th Borough Project and the late J Dilla !!!!”
What is the record that changed your life?
“Gang Starr ‘Mass Appeal’.”
Which city from around the world do you always love returning to DJ in and why?
“London, because I love this city! I used to live in London when I was very young and because the London crowd is very open minded and they know the music . It’s a big pleasure for me.”
You have also produced some stunning sound designs for fashion labels such as Louis Vuitton, Paul Smith and Agnes B over the years. If you could pick 1 designer in 2012 to give you a trolley full of free clothes, who would you choose?
“Of course Hedi Slimane for Saint Laurent . He is the new designer, I’m a big fan.”
Away from dance music, who are the artists you are listening to at the moment in the car or at home?
“Bill Evans, Bob Marley, King Tubby, Howard Shore, Frederic Chopin…”
DMC are the proud owners of the Back To Mine album series. If we came back to yours after the club, what is the Back To Mine Top 5 you would play us to mellow the groove…?
“Emeli Sandé ‘Daddy Ifan Dafydd remix’
The Revenge ‘Heavy Love’
Session Victim ‘Time To Let You Down’
Franc Spangler ‘Open Eyes’
Holy Other ‘Know Where’
I would love to do a Back To Mine !!!!!! It will be a dream come true!”
It’s your birthday – who are the 3 DJs you ask to spin at your birthday party?
“DJ Premier, DJ Pierre and Larry Levan!!!”
And finally, what is the best piece of advice you can give to the thousands of aspiring producers and DJs reading this?
“Desire for success will be achieved through effort.”
http://inflamable.com/dj_cam.php
http://soundcloud.com/dj-cam-official
Soundcrash, Saturday October 27th @ The Forum, London starring DJ Cam, The Herbaliser (live), Belleruche (live), DJ Food (live AV set) and the Soundcrash DJs.
www.facebook.com/soundcrashmusic