It’s the age-old conundrum faced by many an aspiring artist: Give the public what business thinks they want, or stay true to your own creative impulse.
This has become especially evident in the current music industry model where more experimental artists, if signed at all, tend to get smaller marketing budgets and promotions, while those following more established pop formulas are given a shot at international success at the expense of their own creative input.
This is why DJ Mouss is special.
2000 World ITF Team Champion (France), two-time French DMC Champion, three-time Moroccan DMC champion and one of the pioneering figures in the VJ, or video jockey, movement, the Parisian DJ isn’t just any old DMC veteran.
Dating back to his first major championship win 13 years ago, Mouss has consistently pushed boundaries and aimed to redefine the DJ’s status quo. From mixing traditional Moroccan songs with James Brown breaks to making capacity crowds rock to odd-metered scratch clinics, Mouss isn’t afraid of changing it up.
“During the last Technoparade in Paris, I made 80,000 people dance to R ’n’ B music! It was awesome,” he said.
This notable showing at one of Europe’s biggest events of the past few years is just one of a laundry list of accomplishments. Since emerging on the club scene, Mouss has shared a stage with Usher and Fatman Scoop, to name but a few, while holding international residencies at the infamous Queen Club and Mandala Ray in Paris, Theatro in Marrakesh, Mint in Hong Kong, Red Club in Luxembourg and Club Indochine in Zurich, as well as tours through dozens of cities across the globe.
“My favorite aspect of club deejaying is that internationally people all want the same things,” he explains, “having fun and forgetting about their worries and job restraints. The fact that I get to participate in their relaxation makes me so happy. People are different in every country but music has a way of bringing people together. It’s magic.”
When he’s not rocking parties, Mouss has a weekly program on France’s NRJ Radio, is a producer for several artists internationally and is the pioneering force and VJ for MTV Base’s Video Party mixes.
At his Taipei dates, expect everything from hip-hop and house to electro and rock, never-before-heard remixes, cuts and tricks all blended into one amazing set.
“The Taiwanese really know fun,” he recalls from his last visit. “Spark was incredible. For all those who couldn’t make it last time do not miss this party. It’ll be a musical journey to remember.”
Tonight from 10pm at Club W, B1, 67, Roosevelt Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路2段67號B1). Admission: NT$600 for men, NT$350 for women at the door. On the Net: www.clubwtaipei.com
Tomorrow from 10pm at Spark, B1, 45, Shifu Rd, Taipei City (台北市市府路45號B1). Admission: NT$800 at the door. On the Net: www.spark101.com.tw
On the Net: myspace.com/djmouss or www.djmouss.com (site launches on Wednesday)
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