Interview with Radaza
As you’re well aware by now, music is hugely important and very prominent in my life. And much of it is thanks to my most favourite person in the world, DJ and producer Radaza. He’s predominantly been a house DJ since 2006 but started producing breakbeat and drum & bass in 2009. He got signed to the prominent UK breakbeat label Subtek earlier this tear and his first EP “Enforcer” was released in June. I’ve been privy to listening to all of his tracks from conception, seeing as how we’re also housemates, and I can assure you he’s a damn hard worker and is a constant inspiration to me. As such I thought I’d ask him a few questions:
When did you know you wanted to dedicate your life to music?
Music has always played a major part in my life especially growing up in the Philippines for it is an integral part of their culture. There really wasn’t a special moment where I suddenly decided I was going to dedicate my life to it. My life was already influenced and dictated by music so it was just a natural progression.
What inspires you to make music?
Music itself inspires me. To be able to create something from scratch and have people connect to it is a great feeling. It’s also a great creative outlet.
When you’re a famous producer, will you still DJ? Why/Why not?
The two goes hand in hand so you will definitely still see me DJing for years to come. With all the digital downloading going on these days, producing doesn’t really pay the bills unless you have a ‘gem’ that skyrockets you to the mainstream. The music you make is a great way to be known and to share your sound with others. This in turn will create gigs, shows, tours and this is where artists nowadays make their money
What was the first tape/CD you ever bought?
First tape was Michael Jackson’s Thriller. I saved up my allowance for that and played it to the death. I played it so much that the cassette player would always chew it up but I always had my trusty pencil to untangle it.
First CD was Boyz II Men’s Cooley High Harmony and I played that to death as well. Now it’s all scratched up and skips a lot but I still have this CD at home.
What was the song that changed the way you thought about music?
Michael Jackson definitely changed the way I saw music. Music was always something you hear but with MJ , he made you see and feel music through his movements. He was a genius.
If you had never started making music, what career would you have chosen?
A Fisherman.
Three people who inspire you?
Michael Jordan, Batman and Wil E. Coyote (for his pro-activeness and no surrender attitude)
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
On an island fishing all day, with my trained monkey slaves fanning we with banana leaves and picking me coconuts and fruits for lunch.
If you had just one superpower, what would it be? Would you use it for good or would you be a super villain?
I would love to have wolverines healing powers. I’m clumsy and tend to hurt myself a lot so that would definitely come in handy.
Would I use it for good or evil. Well it’s really a fine line between hero and villain. Villains are just misunderstood heroes who feel that the ways things are now (government, healthcare, society etc etc) just isn’t working. They are actually very proactive in their beliefs and always have a scheme or plan to set things to what they believe is right.
Vampires or Zombies? Why?
It’s a tie. Vampires for their sexiness and Zombies for their goofiness.
What is your current obsession?
I don’t obsess about anything but I do love watching True Blood and Ghosthunters.
Someone gives you $2 million with no conditions. What do you spend it on?
Training monkeys to be my slaves.
You can download his new EP “Enforcer” from Beatport, Traxsource, Amazon, Play.com and of course iTunes.
You can also check out the rest of his tracks at Soundcloud.
