The South Rakkas Crew from Florida and Jamaica are taking the stage tomorrow night at Spiritbar and Shambhala caught up with Dennis ‘D-Rakkas’ Shaw, CEO and founder of South Rakkas Crew, producer and DJ before they arrive in Nelson.
1.What did you grow up listening to? Who influenced you into who you are today as and an artist and as a person?
I grew up listening to many different styles of music. My father had an impressive sound system in the house; 2 turntables a mic towering speakers, crates of vinyl records, the whole nine. I think it was probably his dream to be a DJ. He would play old school reggae, rocksteady, disco, R&B, and pop. I landed in Toronto when I was six from Jamaica and was exposed to AC radio, rock, country, everything Canadian. Through my teenage years I went through music phases where I was into, hip hop, dancehall, new wave, house, jungle, rave, etc. All of these things influence what South Rakkas Crew is today. If I had to pick two entities that influence who I am as a producer/DJ it would be Miss Jamaica and Mr. Canada.
2.The Guardian said you make some the most electrifying dance music on the planet. In your mind, what is that element to your sound that makes it such a stellar dance scene?
I think it’s all the music that influences our sound. It’s totally unpretentious, completely natural to who I am and where I’m from. South Rakkas is about fun and dancing and I think people really feel what we’re about. I want to make people move. When I’m creating new rhythms (riddims) I often turn on YouTube in the background with live footage from dancehall parties around the world.
3.What artists inspire you most right now?
I get my inspiration from anywhere and everywhere; not only artists. I’m really into dramatic TV shows and movies and a lot of the time I hear the music in them and it gets my heart pumping; then I’m straight to the studio to bang on the keys. Back to the artists though, I love hype, mean, tough music; make you squirm in your seat, pull your neck back and screw your face like you just sucked a shot of moonshine. There are too many great artists and producers out there. To list a few favourites is kind of an injustice but people like: Rick Ross, Doctor P, to Jay Z, and of course my dancehall artists like Capleton, Bounty Killer and Vybz Kartel inspire me today. Then there are all the old school guys, and I can list for days.
4. You play a wide variety of electronic genres. How do you foresee the future evolution of the electronic music industry?
Well, electronic music has weaved itself into all forms and genres. Electronic music is technology music. If anything, it’s allowing us to be more exploratory, more expressive, more creative because we can now pretty much create any sound we can imagine. It has leveled the playing field so that you don’t have to be a great musician who has had the lessons and opportunities. You can be just a guy that loves music and has a good idea. With the world becoming one big global market through the Internet, I foresee more fusions of different styles and genres. We find all these ethnic styles of music, which our parents would have never even heard of; take bits and pieces from all over the world and create cool new music.
5. Electronic music is hitting the mainstream. What is it about your sound that appeals?
South Rakkas electro has this underlying Jamaican feel to it. Even our most far left productions if you listen close has reggae/dancehall influences, as well as Hip Hop, House, and everything else we grew up listening to. I think there might be a universal type thing going on? That’s a question you really have to ask people who enjoy are music. I’m just speaking for myself and why I like it.
6. What’s your favorite thing about visiting BC?
I always feel love and appreciation. It’s all about the people.
7. What is one thing you can’t live without?
Music. Can you even imagine life without it? If I didn’t have a creative outlet I would go crazy.
