Page 12 - Zone Magazine Issue 010

feature interview - usa
Arguably the most talked about producer in the world at one point, it’s safe to say one man left his calling card on the global dance scene forever. Hailing from New York USA, Jason Nevins began his journey way back in 1993 as a DJ, then of course onto producing some of the finest and well known dance tracks we still hear today in the clubs and on our radios.
He began releasing singles under various monikers through every big underground dance label, but achieved global recognition in 1998 with his 1997 production of Run–D.M.C.'s "It's Like That" which was released under the title 'Run–DMC vs. Jason Nevins', reaching number on the charts in over 30 countries with close to 5 million worldwide sales and over 1 million in sales in both Germany and the United Kingdom alone.
In the UK, the single also halted the Spice Girls' (then record) run of six consecutive number-one's with their first six singles, holding the Spice Girls' seventh release, "Stop", at number 2. The record also knocked Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997" from the number-one slot. In 1998, he won an RTL television number-one Single award for the famous TV show, Top of the Pops.
The same year he also won a Comet Award for the number-one Dance Act.
With a very rare and exclusive interview for Zone Magazine I caught up with the man himself about his journey those accolades and what he is up to now.
Jason Nevins how are you today?
I’m great Bryan thanks very much, thanks for contacting me for this interview, two of my favourite places to be is Ireland and the UK so it’s a pleasure.
Having produced possibly the biggest dance anthem of all time reaching number one in the charts in over 30 countries, with close to 5 million worldwide sales, is it true you were only paid around 5000 dollars for the initial remix of Its Like That?
I don’t really like discussing those details from that record, let’s just say I should be in the Guinness Book Of Records for being the most fucked DJ/ Producer from that one.
Could you tell us then what made you think about remixing an old Hip Hop track in the first place?
My love for Old School Hip Hop, I grew up listening to RUN-DMC, I know every lyric to their first album.
A brilliant album and such an iconic band, did you ever expect your version of ITS LIKE THAT it to become as big as it actually did?
Yes and no, I knew it would be big but not like almost 5 million copies in sales and no1 in over 30 countries, that was really big.
The official video for ITS LIKE THAT was nearly as big as the record itself , did you have any influence on the way it was created?
I had nothing to do with the video, I just showed up, we shot it in downtown LA by some deserted railroad facility, the director did a great job with it.
Is there any certain scene of the video you like or any particular dancers who featured at a certain point?
The whole thing was cool, no one was doing stuff like that at the time so yeah I guess it was perfect for the song, that’s
called “Lightning in a bottle” and you don’t come across that often, it’s just too bad the US was stupid about music at the time, I think we only sold about 100,000 copies over here but millions all over the world, 18 years later and now EDM is the no1 Genre.
With the anthems 20th anniversary approaching would you ever consider releasing a new version to celebrate the occasion?
Maybe, a bunch of other DJ/Producers have tried to do something with the record over the years but they’ve all sucked, so maybe I’ll bring it back.
Think we maybe just got a huge exclusive there!!
Being both a producer of countless other quality tracks and having featured at huge global events as a DJ, which do you prefer, being in the studio or performing to a live audience?
I’m all about the studio, I prefer to be making music and taking my time, I never really was about the spotlight, yet I did start out as a DJ back in the day before it was a popular sensation.
What for you was your best or biggest gig as a DJ?
Can’t really remember but it was cool when I played Ministry Of Sound in the UK. When I was actually DJ’ing- the festival scene was not like it is now so the DJs today get to experience a whole other world.
What makes you decide to play a particular record during one of your sets? Is there a criteria other than pure subjectivity, for selecting what to play at a gig?
I hate to say it - I don’t play the charts like most DJS today do. They just look at what is big on Beatport and play those records. I like to play what I like - being more of someone who will expose the
crowd to new things. The problem is the whole system has been corrupted by DJS today “training” people to follow the same formula. It just becomes a big cyclical mind fuck....it doesn’t change. The kids in the crowd at festivals get to know the other DJs because the DJS on stage play the same thing and around and around it goes. Because of technology anyone “can” DJ and it’s all a bunch of sheep following each other. Social media has also corrupted people to make the industry into a massive popularity contest, so much is simply based on pure hype.
Do you still own a Vinyl collection? If so would you ever consider selling it or giving it away?
Yes, a huge collection. It just sits there- I’d love for someone to buy the whole thing. I would never give it away, it took a long time and a lot of money to put together a great collection like I have. Who gives away their record collection ???
What's the biggest mistake you have ever made in your career and how did you overcome it?
Biggest mistake? There has been a whole bunch, one of them was not keeping up as a DJ I suppose, who knows I might dust off the mixer and get back into it in some capacity. A bigger one though was not being more aggressive with the major labels, which also includes having the right representation.
What's the biggest risk you have ever taken in your career ?
Nothing is really a risk in music, it’s all part of what has to be done to make anything of yourself in the business.
What got you into actually producing your own music, did anyone inspire you?
The love of music and the desire to make it, there are so many Artists, Bands and DJs that were my inspiration, I love so many styles of music, DANCE/EDM, is not necessarily my no1.