The Major Lazer superstar steps into the spotlight with ‘Fresh’. Exclusive interview
Interview : Dan Prince
Dude, welcome to DMCWORLD…where on planet disco are you today?
“Hey Dan. I just rode a dragon from Amsterdam to New York, my jetlag is so live right now.”
You are bang back in the news again, this time thanks to your new track with Salvatore Ganacci ‘Fresh’. Tell us about the history of the track with this hotly tipped Swedish producer on everyone’s lips right now…
“I linked up with Sal through mutual friend Garmiani…he sent me Fresh and we started playing it in our (Major Lazer) live shows…a few tweaks later and the rest is history.”
Great video – the girls must have been absolutely freezing in all that snow…who was behind the direction of the video?
http://po.st/FreshVideoKarmaLoop
“I linked up with Shomi (the director) and Chad (the producer) in Jamaica on the set of Major Lazer’s ;Lose Yourself’…I had the idea for the video and sent them the treatment and they were into it…they definitely nailed it. It’s a mix of the Biggie ‘Flava In Ya Ear’ video and that one Liam Neeson flick where he fights the wolves in the forest…’cept we got crazy dancers.”
A quote from you on Facebook…“I’m just a regular dude that got lucky DJing with his friends. Thank you always for the love and support.” Discuss…
“I think it pretty much explains itself…I love what I do and the people I surround myself with…I coulda’ been bagging groceries at Ralph’s…”
You travel the world non stop but you never moan about the hassles of long haul flights etc. – which is so refreshing to see. Yesterday in Cannes a seat next to Leonado De Caprio on the Virgin Galactic space flight sold at auction for $1.5m…would that have been one flight you’d have been up for?
“I dunno if I have enough miles to upgrade to business on a flight to Pluto!”
What is the worst job you have ever had?
“All my jobs have been awesome, but I used to work with my dad installing cable TV, one time one of the dudes set up the ladder and climbed up the pole but it was on a manhole and the manhole broke and he and the ladder slid all the way down into the bowels of the earth…it was kinda terrifying but also mad funny”
A quote from a superstar DJ last week.…“a DJ has to have a piss every time before he goes on the decks, and if somebody tells me that’s not nerves they are full of shit.” – do you still get nervous before DJing?
“Nah! Dan, why would you get nervous doing something you love?”
Your favourite…
Fashion designer
“Tom Ford for Gucci.”
Actor who would play you in your life story on the big screen
“The scientist dude from Avatar, he was also a scientist in World War Z but he dies before he even gets off the plane.”
Album
“’Original Pirate Material’ AND ‘Mama’s Gun’.”
Restaurant
“L’Express.”
Person to party with
“Brad Digital.”
Who is the last DJ you danced to?
“I can’t dance.”
A remark from one of our leading DJs this week…”I believe true DJing is actually an art, but it’s a dying art, as everyone is pushing the sync button…it’s a real shame when you see a ‘DJ’ plug his laptop in and call this DJing. Music will always evolve but sometimes not in the best way.” Comments on that
“No one cares when they’re raving. Push that sync button and make sure they have the time of their lives.”
Let’s rewind for a moment. What is your earliest musical memory?
“Prince – ‘When Doves Cry’.”
Childhood musical heroes?
“Amoco Renegades performing their rendition of Kitchener’s ‘Bees Melody’.”
First taste of dance music?
“718 Sessions with Danny Krivit at Santos…going to see Masters at Work at 4am with Janice…Rich Medina’s Jump n Funk at the Marlin the very first time I went to WMC…”
The first great club you rocked out at?
“Every club in every city is amazing even if it’s only for 2 minutes a year.”
Break into the music industry?
“Diplo called me up and asked me if I wanted to go on tour…and I’ve been going ever since…”
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
“Jillionaire x Salvatore Ganacci x Jovi Rockwell
Jillionaire x Supa Dupa x Kid Sister
Jillionaire x Boody B x T.O.K.
Millionaire x London Future x Trinidad James.”
Thank you dude. Appreciate your time.
“Bless brudda…”
For more information on Jillionaire, please visit
https://www.facebook.com/thejillionaire
https://twitter.com/jillionaire
https://soundcloud.com/jillionaire
