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 Diplo
Interview
interview 0234 added
11.09.04 words: Nikesh technical:
QED
Big Dada has become synonymous with not only putting out some of
the UK’s more experimental offerings,
but also seeking the US talent that the world deems too weird and experimental
to put out themselves. Diplo is one of those people. Legendary in the Dirty
South scene for his crunk music club night, Hollertronix, he also specialises in
creating atmospheric and moody pieces of instrumental music, taking in
influences from India raags, rumbling dub bass, Warp’s finest and scattershot
hip-hop beats. About to release his debut set, “Florida” on Big Dada, I had an
email exchange with him, which resulted in ukhh.com’s shortest interview.
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1) Please introduce yourself and tell us your favourite flavour ice cream
In Philly I stay eating water ice. its like gelato. its real big.
2) Tell us about "Florida". What influences went into making it and what type
of mood you need to be in to listen to it?
Any mood. but its real serious so make sure you’re not doing anything else.. its
more of a headphone album.
3) How did you come across the ever-amazing Martina Topley Bird?
I thought she was crazy good and unique. I just brought up the idea and brought
the track to her and she like it enough to do a vocal on it.
4) How do you go from loving and advocating the most loose crunk music and
making atmospheric soundscapes?
I still try and keep it crunk. And that's where I'm at if you come see me play
live.
5) What does the Dirty South sound have that the rest of hiphop lacks?
 Energy.
6) How did you get on Big Dada? Have you heard any of their Uk bands?
First
label I sent a demo too many years ago.
7) Who is influencing you as a peer right now?
M.I.A on xl. I got to say people like Prefuse and Rjd2 as well as Timbalaand and
Red Spyda and Andre 3000 and Nitti and Lil Jay and upcoming kids in the south.
8) Where do you wish to take your music next?
The streets.
9) Tell us about the Hollertronix nights and mixtapes.
Crazy parties, these parties are very very fun and if you come expect to hear
music you wouldn't usually but you will definitely dance. the mixtapes and mixes
we do are real fun and I've done at least 20 this year for different people.
 10)
What is next for you?
Tours and more beats and fun things, probably back to Rio to do the music I
spent a lot of time on last year called Baille Funk.
11) Any last shoutouts/shameless plugs?
Big shout to MIA and all the Philly heads and my people in NYC and in Rio.
He may be a man of few words but Diplo’s definitely a cat to check out. If
you like your instrumentals weird and wonderful and dig that Big Dada sound, ch-check
him out.
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Nikesh Shukla
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