Interview with DJ Assad
DJ and producing talent from Mauritius, DJ Assad, graces audiences around the globe with his upbeat feel-good music. Here with OneEDM, DJ Assad shares his insight into his career and life in music.
OneEDM: WHO AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO FOLLOW YOUR PATH IN MUSIC?
DJ Assad: I was born and raised around a mix of genres. I have Mauritian origins and grew up in France with a curiosity for different music. This is what lead me to tropical music and black music! Michael Jackson was a huge inspiration growing up. He is one of the best artists from the genre, and his influence fostered my dream to make music. I’m a huge fan. I picked up dancing at one stage, but becoming a DJ was what I was meant to do. To this day I’m still listening to a lot of different music styles without barriers!
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF MAKING MUSIC?
Making music is something so special, like every job that implies creation, it needs introspection but also a great ability to share. I’m making music that I love, with people I like, hoping that people will love listening to it.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TRACK OF ALL TIME?
Definitively “Human Nature” by Michael Jackson.
WITH THE 2018 FESTIVAL SEASON OVER, WHAT WAS ALL THAT LIKE LOOKING BACK?
One of the best memories that I have from the previous season was a project that I had in mind for a long time, creating a big event in Mauritius. For the first edition, we gathered local and international artists like Willy William and Maitre Gims.
DO YOU HAVE ANY DREAM DESTINATIONS TO PERFORM AT?
This may be cliché, but I don’t have a dream destination. I just want to go and meet the world, feel the different energies, live the cultures. These encounters are part of my inspiration as an artist but also align with my dreams personally. Though as a DJ, the best thing is playing in front of thousands of people!
IN LIFE AND MUSIC, WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR BIGGEST STRUGGLES?
In my personal life, that would be staying as fair as possible in any given situation. And in music that would be pushing my own limits every day. Only effort and patience make things work.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST SATISFYING ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR IN YOUR CAREER?
As of today, it’s been about 15 years since I began living off my music, and I know that I am lucky to be living off of something that I love doing. I’d add that I’m happy to have spread my island’s music to the masses.
YOU OFTEN GESTURE TO THE CAMERA WITH YOUR FINGERTIP PLACED DELIBERATELY OVER YOUR MOUTH AS IF TO ASK ONE TO BE QUIET, IS THAT SO WE CAN HEAR YOUR MUSIC BETTER?
I didn’t think about it that way, that’s an interesting way to see it. When I make that gesture I’m actually thinking about the opposite. It means that an artist should be humble.
APART FROM EDM, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO?
I have a lot of projects, be it in music or not. What’s certain is that I’d like to help others, and still go on with the events I set up in Mauritius with more international artists! Apart from those projects, I enjoy life with my family, and I try to help the world via associations like Holdem Foundation in Mauritius which helps the poor and orphans.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT?
Firstly I’d like to thank you for this interview and your article on my new track “Sweat“! I couldn’t have described the track better than you did so thank you OneEDM!
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