INTERVIEW: DJ Ironik
- Posted on July 4, 2008 10:22 AM
- 2 comments
Interview By Zarina Raja
With a huge internet following and a reputation for his exuberant live performances, DJ Ironik has managed to bustle his way into the limelight with his R ‘N’ B based tracks, combining powerful lyrics and a grimy Garage vibe.
A DJ from the tender age of thirteen and still only twenty, DJ Ironik represents some of Britain’s youngest – and hottest – talent.
Garnering recognition with his new single Stay With Me, a track based on the tragic climate surrounding the current knife culture in the UK, DJ Ironik has proved himself to be someone that today’s culture can relate to.
Stay With Me is out now. Talk me through the inspiration for the song. I know it is about knife crime, but let’s get a bit deeper into it.
I first heard the track about a year ago. I just thought ‘wow.’ The chorus touched me. The words and stuff just inspired me. Initially, I thought about my little sister straight away. The way that life is now, in Britain especially, is crazy. There are so many young people dying. I just wanted to leave my little sister a message and let her know that I will be there for her. At the same time, a lot of people can relate to it.
How old is your sister?
She’s ten.
Does she understand what is happening at the moment?
I don’t think so. I don’t think that she really gets to see that side of life. She is just seeing the good side at the moment….until she reads newspapers and stuff. It is crazy out there – for me especially being my age – and walking down the street.
What other things inspire you when you are making music?
A lot of stuff that I go through…a lot of real stuff that is happening at the moment that people can relate to.
Do you find it easy to open up and write lyrics? Do you sometimes feel that you are bearing your soul?
When I am writing songs…it just comes out. If I am writing a normal song for someone else, it is harder for it to come out.
Is your inspiration spontaneous? Will you just be walking down the street as lyrics come to mind?
Not really, I have to be in the right mood. I also have to hear the song before I write it.
How old were you when you knew that music was something that you wanted to pursue?
Well, I started out DJing when I was thirteen. I was Djing very young, but in quite a few clubs. I started producing when I was about sixteen. I was producing for a lot of Grime artists. I was producing for all of them and I felt like I needed to start writing. I learnt quite a lot from them, the way they record and the way they write.
How did you get into DJing?
My uncle, Steve Gordon, owns TwiceasNice. My mum and dad were always into music too. They were always blasting out the old skool Garage and Jungle. It kind of got me into it at the same time.
What is the first record that you bought?
It was Rewind by Craig David.
Have you still got it?
Yeah, I have actually. I don’t use vinyl anymore but I kept it.
You started in music so young, is there anything else that you want to pursue?
No, music is definitely my main thing. I like using computers too. I do it mainly for the love. If I got dropped from my label or if I was not doing well, I would still be making music because it is what I love.
A lot of musicians say that as soon as they get signed, sometimes it can ruin it because labels start demanding stuff from them. Has it been hard to remain true to what you want to do?
I have kept it true man. I have kept it the same, all my music has been the same.
Is there one artist that has been highly influential in your career?
Not particularly in my music career. There are definitely people who have kept me motivated and I look up to. People like Kanye West – he is one the greatest rappers alive. People like P Diddy too – I respect the way that he works, and also the business side of things.
Who do you think at the moment has an edge over other artists?
Well, on my iPod I have a lot of Indie. I like Kate Nash, Adele, The Kooks. Not a lot of people know that about me.
It is probably because you make a completely different type of music all the time.
I would definitely like to work with people like Lily Allen as well.
Your MySpace and Bebo following is huge. Do you control your own MySpace?
Yeah, I do. I interact with my fans and I even go on it from my blackberry. I leave comments back to my friends everyday and to the people that have added me. That is one of the main reasons that I have come as far as I have. I want to interact with them and tell them thanks.
You are a DJ, a producer, a singer, a writer. What do you prefer doing the most?
I prefer DJing.
If you had to sum up your sound in one word what would it be?
Different.
Are you heading down to any festivals this year?
I think I am doing a festival in Sweden called Ladies Night. Apparently, it is just ten thousand ladies. Who wouldn’t do that one?
Are there any artists that you are hoping to catch this year?
Hopefully Kanye West. His live performances are great. I like The Kooks so hopefully them as well.
Where are the best DJ Ironik audiences?
I hate saying this because there is quite a few. Whenever I am in Cardiff, they show the most love. They are crazy out there. They go wild. London is crazy as well. I did Peckham a few weeks ago. I was a bit funny about doing it. I went to the Damalola Taylor centre for the peace festival and they went crazy because they don’t get many big artists down there.
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Comments (2)
samantha tomkins
the stay with me single is a song that relates to alot of young ppl
Posted on July 8, 2008 4:43 PM
samantha tomkins
the stay with me single is a song that relates to alot of young ppl
Posted on July 8, 2008 4:44 PM
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