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An international house icon and co-founder of Beatport, Bad Boy Bill got his start as a teenager, DJing at local parties, entering DJ battles, and throwing his own events. He won the first DJ battle he entered. As a senior in high school, Bill started his own record label (International House Records) and signed tracks from DJ Pierre, Mr. Lee, and others. Between 1995 and 2001, Bill released five volumes of the Bangin’ The Box series on his own label, Mix Connection Multimedia. It became one of the best selling series in dance music history. During that time, Bill also founded Moody Recordings, which released the international hit “Get Get Down” by Paul Johnson.
Last Summer he released his first full length artist album. Bad Boy Bill The Album (Nettwerk) packs a double punch: the impressive collaborators we anticipate from an industry vet (Duran Duran’s John Taylor; Alyssa Palmer; JJ Flores; Steve Smooth; Alex Peace), combined with unexpected self-aware lyrics and unique production that seamlessly weaves Bill’s electronic edge into rock, hip hop, and rap.
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Hands down the best party of 2012?
Wave Front Festival – Chicago, IL This was the first major EDM show right on the lakefront of Chicago. It had an amazing vibe and watching the sunset over the lake while DJing was breathtaking.
Is the first record you ever bought worth mentioning?
The first 12″ I bought was one of the first hip-hop records…Rapper’s Delight by Sugarhill Gang.
What is your worst habit and are you planning to get rid of it?
Chocolate & sweets. No.
Has your musical taste changed over time or do you think it will?
I love all styles of music, and I always have, and probably always will. I listen to everything from pop to rock to r and b to hip hop and of course house and electronic music.
Where do you see your career going in the next 10 years?
I don’t plan that far in the future, I just like to live in the moment and enjoy my career as it comes.
Describe the first rave you ever attended.
The first rave I ever was attended was when I was booked to DJ’d at an event called Mars in NY thrown by Phato. I had never been to a rave and was blown away by the lights and the sound as well as the people who were dressed in the latest raver fashions!
The weirdest thing that happened on the road in 2012?
I had rented an SUV in LA and was driving to the airport and apparently the automatic trunk door didn’t close, so when I floored it to make a quick turn, all of our (my road manager and I) luggage flew out of the truck into the street, including my laptop bag etc…People were honking, traffic screetched to a halt….we got everything back, and the laptops were fine, but it was a crazy scene!
Did you ever visit a far country where you were surprised people actually knew all your music?
I went to South Korea early in 2012, and although I have been there many times, I still am amazed by how much they are into the music.
Who is your favorite artist outside of EDM and why?
It’s a tie between Sade, Sting/The Police. They both have very unique voices and I love the vibe of their music.
If you could go back 25 years in music history, or forward 50 years in music future, which one would you pick and why?
50yrs future….I am a tech head, so I would love to see all the cool music and sounds that will be made in 50yrs.
Do you feel the line between DJing and producing has gotten smaller?
Not really. They are two different skill sets. I think a lot of producers are now having to learn how to DJ, as well as DJ’s learning how to produce, so most people are doing both, but very few do both well.
Have you won awards?
I have won some awards, and I am always humbled and honored, but the most satisfying was winning BPM magazine’s America’s Favorite DJ because the fans voted, and they are what’s most important to me.
Is there a final thing you would like to say to our readers?
Thanks for reading and listening…Hope to see you at one of my events soon!
Connect:
http://www.badboybill.com
http://www.facebook.com/badboybill
http://twitter.com/djbadboybill
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