Since he burst onto the scene in 1999 as the unlikely winner of the DMC championships, DJ Craze has captivated audiences throughout the world. He would go onto win 2 more DMC championships and was voted Time Magazine’s number 1 dj in 2001. DJ craze is his own breed: combining a mixture of hip hop, drum & bass, breaks and turntablism to make magic. Miami Nights caught up with DJ Craze to see who he would like to collaborate with, whether he thinks dance music can expand in the States, and what his thoughts were about the saturation of blends. If you went to Ultra, we hope you didn't miss this set! MN: Many consider you to be a showman – a great performer in fact. Would you say that it’s necessary for DJs to have that today?
DJC: Yeah…… I feel djs should always try to be great showmen because anybody can spin records. Only a couple djs put on great shows. That’s what separates great djs from regular djs.
MN: What equipment do you use live? Is it similar to the equipment you use to make music in the studio?
DJC: When I play live I use Serato Scratch, a certain mixer that I won’t name cause they don’t support US tablist… the name starts with p and rhymes with beer, and a Mac power book. At home in my studio I use a Mac G5 and I use Logic to make beats.
MN: I’ve heard you mention prior, your fondness of Europe and the type of energy the people bring there. Do you think dance music is capable of reaching that sort of level in the States? Here in Miami there’s a pretty huge scene but it’s not like that throughout the entire country.
DJC: I think dance music can be as big here as it is in EU; it’s just that you don’t hear dance music on the radio like you do in EU. I don’t think that’s gonna change anytime soon here because the major corporations won’t put money into the dance stations.
MN: Do you know right away when you hear a song, “I’m going to have to do a remix with this song,” or do you first have in mind what kind of mix your looking for and then try to match the right vocals?
DJC: I plan some of my mixes but the good ones always happen by accident.
MN: Now a day’s is not uncommon for DJs to take vocals from one song and remix it with a different beat, do you think that it takes away from the original song and the intended mood?
DJC: Naw… some remixes work but I don’t if it does when you take it to an extreme. The Beatles mashed up with Lil Jon or any other kinda mash up like that usually leaves me puzzled. If it’s done tastefully I’m all for it.
MN: Is there any track you would love to get your hands on and give your own treatment to?
DJC: John Lennon’s Imagine
MN: Are there are artists you would love to get in the studio and collaborate with?
DJC: The Roots, Outkast, Nas, and the old Eminem.
MN: Often with hit songs it seems like every club I’ve has their own dance version of that particular track. Do you think that this is getting redundant or do you see it as competition, seeing which DJ can come up with the best mix?
DJC: I think it’s like a competition to see who makes the best remix. I like hearing tracks remixed in a good way, but not cheesy.
MN: Do you believe music is getting to a point where we’re going to be seeing more genres coming together, making it difficult to label something hip-hop or rock but instead be able to say, this is music period?
DJC: Yes definitely. That’s a great thing too because great music transcends its genre. I can always play Michael Jackson, Nirvana, Outkast, Gorillaz, and The Roots in the same set and it works because it’s all great music.
MN: You have previously performed at Ultra; do you think the experience will be any different for you? What can the audience expect from your set this time around?
DJC: Ultra has always been the highlight of WMC. It is the biggest electronic festival in Miami every year. The vibes are always crazy and it’s always a great time. This year I will be performing with the UK’s best beat boxer and vocalist, Killa Kela. I’ll be playing a mash up set of Hip Hop/ Miami Bass/ B-More/ Baile Funk/ Club/ Freestyle/ Rock/ Reggae…. Basically all kinds of S@#T.
MN: What can we expect from you for the rest of 2007?
DJC: I’ve been working on my album for a couple years and it’s coming out dope. For the rest of 2007 I’ll be working on that and I’m gonna stay traveling most of the year. Check out www.myspace/crazearoni for tour dates
