For DJ Ruckus, big events and big venues are no big deal – after all, he’s been spinning them most of his professional life.
In addition to playing big clubs like Miami’s Crobar as a teenager and spinning Vegas hotpots like Hakkasan and Zouk (where he recently became a resident), he’s worked a slew of major fashion events, for clients ranging from Louis Vuitton to The Gap.
And the private celeb parties? The client list is long – from his cousin Lenny Kravitz to P.Diddy, from Oprah to Spielberg, J.Lo to Kanye – and tough to top. He’s also enjoyed studio triumphs with productions and remixes for Janet Jackson, Ice Cube, Macy Gray, OutKast and TLC.
So, as Ruckus – aka Gregory Andrews, 37 – prepared for a summer of work at Zouk in Resorts World Las Vegas and beyond, we grabbed a few moments with the in-demand, open-format jock.
DJ Life Mag: Musically, what were your first influences? What made music your calling?
Ruckus: My parents introduced me to Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Whitney Houston, Regina Belle and my brother taught me about rap from Run-DMC to KRS-One to Outkast and Biggie. My proximity to musical influence, from family and close friends Lenny Kravitz and Dallas Austin, gave me the opportunity to see successful musicians up close and behind scenes. I was drawn to the freedom of manipulating a recording with a turntable and using the turntable as an instrument and their influence made me believe I could make it a career.
DJ Life Mag: I got some pictures of you spinning at the Zouk popup at Mammoth Film Festival – it looked like a blast. What was that gig like for you?
Ruckus: That was a fun one – there were some really cool and fun people in the room. The film industry brings out really smart and interesting people and that makes for an easy platform to play all types of music.
DJ Life Mag: How do you prepare for an event like that?
Ruckus: Good question! To prepare for all the different styles is a full-time job. I prepare at least for five or six hours for a new set, and I change sets almost every show.
DJ Life Mag: From the professional DJ’s perspective, how would you describe the Zouk club in Las Vegas?
Ruckus: I knew their property in Singapore is a monster, but the club standards in Las Vegas are bit different. There have been some flashy monster clubs in the last few years. Zouk came super-correct. I always check for the flow of a room, how comfortable it is for people to move around in the club, the level of finishes on the seating lighting and paint – of course, most important, lights and sound. Their take on the sliding chandelier is immaculate. As that has become the new mega-club standard, it must be heard to recreate and beat most recent designs – Zouk crushed it! The L-Acoustics sound system and the positioning of the DJ and tables is perfect for someone, like me, who likes to perform and exude lot of energy while DJing.
DJ Life Mag: In the DJ booth, what gear do you use?
Ruckus: In my booth, I use four Pioneer DJ CDJ-3000s. I play off of rekordbox. I use SD cards, as they are small, portable and usually out of the way of other DJs that more likely use a USB. So, if I end up jamming with someone B2B… or don’t have to disturb their equipment during switch overs. I pride myself on possibly being the most versatile DJ out here.
DJ Life Mag: What are a few tracks that are always in your DJ box?
Ruckus: Sgt Slick’s Melbourne Recut of ABBA’s “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” My edit of “Lite Spots vs. Rock With You.” Also, “Be Faithful” by Fatman Scoop. “Be Faithful” was in the first round of vinyl I ever purchased from Carjul Records in Miami, and it’s a song that can be played in any room ’til this day. Not many tracks are like that.
DJ Life Mag: Which DJs do you admire and why?
Ruckus: Rüfüs Du Sol and Monolink. I love them for their vibe and feeling steadiness of the sound music without massive build-ups, but still has great energy. D-Nice, I have a ton of love and respect for what he is doing. Maintaining the integrity musically that he has and becoming as famous as a DJ playing that music is very hard to accomplish. And Mark Ronson and DJ AM are my heroes from when I was coming up.
DJ Life Mag: How do you balance posh private events with open-to-the-public gigs? What’s the difference in your approach to the sets?
Ruckus: Each event, whether private or public, I have to spend hours organizing. Sometimes a private won’t require as much of my personality and presence during my performance. It may require or allow smoother music and maybe a bit more particular to the ethnicity, location, age group of the clients. Many of the private clients or brands I am familiar with or have a long relationship with and I have a good sense of what the night will be like.
With public shows, it’s more about the hottest new music of the moment. There’s a much different emphasis on the showmanship.
DJ Life Mag: Can you recall playing an event that made you nervous?
Ruckus: So many of my gigs make me nervous in a good way. If I am prepared and nervous, there’s gonna be a sick set. One of my first big gigs was Diddy’s birthday in Morocco, and I was terrified!
DJ Life Mag: How did you survive the lockdown?
Ruckus: It was very hard to keep the target. My whole routine was gone. I did find exercise, meditation, and health care helped. I worked on music and the music-making process. I took time off to see family when that was possible. I did play some exciting virtual shows and did podcasts with my friends, the legends from Headliner Music Club.
DJ Life Mag: What’s next for you?
Ruckus: I’m returning to touring in Europe this summer. Many more releases on my own indie label, Cause A Ruckus, and some exciting new jewelry projects.
To check out more interviews, click here.