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Party in the city
(Malay Mail Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) THIS writer enjoyed a `group session' with three hot DJs recently - and boy, was there plenty to `talk' about! Anyway, aside from enjoying the occasional `foursome', what binds the three DJs is that they're all currently performing at DV8 club, which has moved to a new location at Rohas Perkasa Building (Jalan P Ramlee, Kuala Lumpur).
Flip indulged in a tete-a-tete with the three DJs, beginning with Fuzz, formerly of prominent hip-hop act The Teh Tarik Crew, which once played at Kuala Lumpur's Sugar and Zouk clubs.
(Sometimes, you can also see him partying the night away at clubbing events at various venues in the city).
We also caught up with R-Que (Rafique Ramli), who told us that his admirable collection of CDs had "convinced me to get involved in the music industry".
Thus, he enrolled in the respected Playaz Universe DJ School and under the guidance of DJ Raja, the former picked up his nowrespected turntablism skills.
However, it was at another learning centre, Mixology DJ Academy, where he learned the art of juggling and scratching using the turntables.
Notably, Fuzz and R-Que are signed to Top Notch Party.
Thus the two DJs can be found playing at parties, wherever they are, organised by the latter.
Last but not least, DJ Shazan Z has regular DJ-ing gig nights in Perth and Melbourne, Australia; Sheffi eld, UK; and Kuala Lumpur.
He also had experiences working behind the scenes at music gigs.
His impressive portfolio also mentions `non-exclusive DJ appearances' at now-defunct Malaysian clubs like Echo, Club House, White Room, and Backroom, as well as current party hangouts The Loft and, of course, DV8, among others.
Quite a clubbing history there, huh? In spite of their eclectic CV though, the three of them are currently in the DV8 state of mind, hence they give us the lowdown on their gigs there: How did your DV8 gigs come about? Fuzz: When it was offered to me, I simply jumped into it, and I get to play hip-hop, R&B and reggaethon music.
R-Que: It's the same reason with me, although my brand of music is hip-hop, dancehall and reggaethon.
Shazan Z: I've a long-term relationship with DV8 club, where I get to play Chicago house music infused with a bit of old-skool disco and funk, resulting in very African-American house vibes.
What sets your gigs apart at DV8 as compared to your nights at other places? Fuzz: I'd play more reggaethon songs which are seldom heard at other clubs.
R-Que: I'd often play music suitable for the crowd's mood on any particular night.
Shazan Z: I'd inject what I've learned from past DJ-ing experiences, such as those in Australia, into my gigs at DV8.
How would you gain as a DJ, by performing at DV8? Fuzz and R-Que: I'd probably gain from the sorts of crowds who'd want me to play in different ways than what I'm accustomed to at other clubs.
I can be a better DJ by learning to gauge the musical needs and wants of DV8's crowds, which may be new to me.
Three essential tracks which you must drop at your DV8 gigs...
Fuzz: Rianna's Umbrella, Eve's Tambourine and Daddy Yankee's Imbacto.
R-Que: Timbaland's Way I Are, Mims' This is Why I'm Hard and T-Pain's Buy You a Drank.
Shazan Z: Rosie Gaines' Closer than Close, Gil Scott Heron's The Bottle and Derrick Carter's Square Dancing in a Round House.
Your reactions when hearing that DV8 had moved from its previous (albeit longtime) location in Petaling Jaya, to Kuala Lumpur...
Fuzz: What?! Your expectations for your DV8 gigs? Fuzz and R-Que: Of course we want our gigs to be packed with people.
Shahzan, what's the response like towards your Chicago house music, a genre not usually associated with DV8 club (which is more hip-hop and R&Bcentric)? The response has been positive.
The crowds have been receptive towards my music.
In fact, I'd requested the club's management to allow me to play Chicago house music in the first place.
It suits a small room environment, and DV8 is an ideal place where I can offer intimate vibes.
Catch R-Que in action every Wed; Shahzan Z, every Thurs; and Fuzz, every Sat.
All start playing at 10pm.
Gawk at these! THIS week, we managed to get some blah time surfing the Internet, and lo and behold, three killer images caught our attention.
From Johnny Depp in Tim Burton's cult favourite Ed Wood, to Madonna in one of her many chameleon incarnations (featured here in her American Life album phase), and a sartorial spread from infl uential magazine I-D.
Profound and iconoclastic, these images, among others, have influenced our fashion sense, party, movie, music listening habits, et al.
Overall, they've shaped popular culture as we know it today.
Copyright 2007 The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Bhd, Source: The Financial Times Limited
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