The ninja makes his debut on RAM Records with the man like Chords
Interview : Dan Prince
A brand new RAM Records smash out this week demonstrating exactly what can happen when you merge a formidable heavyweight with one of the genre’s most promising talents. Jaguar Skills needs little introduction; he’s infamous for his ninja-like DJing skills with years stacked behind the decks and it was no surprise when he finally tried his hands at production alongside Chords’ impressive musicality…
Jags welcome back to DMCWORLD, where on earth are you today?
“Yo! Yes. I’m in the mountains at the moment. Secret location.”
Massive news for you right now with the release of your debut track with Chords, ‘Lush’ ft. Matti Roots swining our way on RAM Records. Why has it taken so long for you to make the transition to producer?
“I’ve been doing too many radio mixes. I’ve been doing radio mixes non-stop for maybe 7 years now. And I thought, Jag, you need to make some tunes yo! I used to make Hip-Hop, back in the day, so I have produced before. I did a wicked tune with Lupe Fieasco called “We On”, back in the day….but yes, I’m learning at lot right now. I’m glued to the laptop.”
Check the official video here…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTJnTprvevg
How did this project originate with Chords?
“Ram hooked me up with him. He’s the boss. A wicked producer.”
Talk us through the sound of both sides of the track, we are loving the Breaks Remix on the flip…
“Yeah, Breaks smashed it. Basically, Side A is the radio family version. Side B is the nutty one. The story is Matti Roots, the singer, wrote and produced the tune, maybe 6 years ago. I remixed that. Then Chords took it all apart, built up the track again, and Matti re-sung it. Boom!”
What are the next plans studio wise?
“I’ve been chained to the computer for months now. Hitting buttons at random, trying to get something popping. Right now, I’m moving towards more of a D&B Hip-Hop kinda direction. I’ve got some bits and it’s very exciting.”
You have just kicked off your Campaign For Musical Destruction Tour hitting every corner of the UK, is there a specific part of our country that you really enjoy returning to, is there one town or city that really laps of the ninja?
“The mission is the destroy, musically, everywhere I go to on this tour. Also – I’m not going to stay with any type of genre. It’s going to be very experimental and exciting. There are various secret ninja locations, dotted around the country. It’s strictly on a need to know basis, though.”
I was in the crowd ay Ushuaia last month where you smashed the shit out of Ibiza with The Prodigy. How did you find the Playa den Bossa massive?
“It was hardcore, wasn’t it! I really felt that the crowd really liked hearing something a little different in Ibiza. You know, if you’re opening for the Prodigy, you don’t play minimal house….right? So – everyone pretty much was open to some hardcoreness….sometimes though, in Ibiza they can get a little chin stroky….”
Did you carry on until dawn with the boys?
“That’s secret.”
I tried getting backstage to say hello but the security were having none of it…should I have tried a few ninja moves on them?
“Depends if you’re a ninja. They looked pretty strong…..”
Always wanted to ask, do the guys at Passport Control get funny with as you pass through?
“I always fly in a TR3B Black Triangle anyway. They don’t check those. Plus, I’ve actually lost my passport….”
What has been your favourite record of the summer?
“Loved ” Rhythm” by Deetron and Ben Westbeech.”
Right let’s talk Bestival, Exit and Global Gathering. Three massive events, highlights please…
“Wow. Well, smashed the shit out of them all. Bestival was mental. I DJ’ed on a massive ship, on a hill, to over 15,000 people…..Exit was great too. I DJ’ed after Andy C. Hung out with him too. That was dope. And Global Gathering, that was so hot, I couldn’t see the crowd. They look like they were frying. Like eggs. Overall though…what a great fucking time they all were!”
What are the big Skills plans for 2015?
“To get more tunes out. That’s the plan. Really want to get those joints out.”
It’s that time of year again, the annual DJ Top100. I interviewed Arthur Baker this week, he remarked…“there are too many DJs and genres for a realistic competition, it needs to split”. What are your thoughts on that – do you actually give a shit?
“Humm. He’s got a point. Yeah. I agree. It now makes no sense to compare a House dude to a D&B dude. I mean, to be 100%, I don’t really care. I enjoy reading the list, it’s funny to me. Of course, I’d take it massively serious if I were ever in that top 100. Then I’d back it 100%. Haha! Can you imagine my DJ fee!!! WOW!!!”
It’s your birthday – the 3 DJs you invite to play…
Jazzie B
Tim Westwood
Al “Fingers” Newman
There are a new breed of UK house producers currently ripping it up. Who really impress you?
“I know the tunes but I’m not too sure who they’re made by. I’m crap with remembering names and shit. I tend to re-edit anything I like, then re-name it something different. I never put who makes the tune on my computer – weird, I know. I really dig House music, second favourite to D&B, but for the life of me, can’t really tell you who makes them!”
The Forbes DJ Rich List with the likes of Calvin and Guetta earning more than $20m last year. Thoughts?
“I bet their mother’s are proud of them. Also, they can buy a lot of things too. I’m thinking that their tax bills are quite big….I’m also thinking that they’re probably the most boring people in the world to chat to, also. I’ve met one of them. Very fucking boring. ALSO….are they happy? Eh? They probably are. And they’re probably great people, once they get to know you……these are my thoughts…”
And finally…what does a ninja do for Christmas?
“Stuff’s turkey’s at incredible speed. After which I meditate. I think about how Father Christmas rose from the dead to save us. I also get pissed. On Sake. Ninja style.”
