DJ Snake will perform in six cities as part of the EDM festival beginning in Ahmedabad, followed by performances in Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
DJ Snake will perform in six cities as part of the EDM festival beginning in Ahmedabad, followed by performances in Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Ever since he rose to fame with the single-sentence lyrical trap metal number ‘Turn Down for What’ in 2013, DJ Snake has gone from an artist-to-watch to one of the world’s most sought-after artists.
This year, their Sunburn tour is bigger than usual and six cities have been included in the EDM festival. Starting in Ahmedabad on November 18, DJ Snake will travel to Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Pune and Mumbai and end in Bengaluru on November 27.
“Honestly, the energy I feel when I’m in India is one of the most amazing things,” he says, adding that the overwhelming welcome makes him feel like India is his second home. “I feel very comfortable here. I look forward to coming back, touring and experiencing new cities, meeting more people, listening to more music, and seeing the country that has influenced me so much.”
File photo of DJ Snake at the Sunburn Festival | photo credit: special arrangement
Fans are eager to hear his signature sound: electro house, trap and pop with Indian rhythms and beats. He co-produced with EDM DJ trio Major Lazer – ‘Lean On’, a live track shot in Mumbai with a distinct Indian touch.
Telangana Connect
Closer to home, it is ‘Magenta Riddim’, a video shot in Hyderabad, Telangana in 2018, that struck a chord with local fans. The song pays tribute to the firefighters of the area and features a fusion of dancehall and Indian sounds. Why did he choose Hyderabad? “I couldn’t have filmed it anywhere else in the world,” he says simply.
Some of the major collaborations of DJ Snake have been; He produced Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’ and worked on the single ‘Lean On’ for Major Lazer and Moe. The chart-busting “Taki Taki” with Ozuna and Cardi B followed the 2016 single “Let Me Love You” featuring Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber. DJ Snake shared his experiences: “Working with Selena has always felt so natural because we’ve known each other for a while. Some time ago we were thinking of making another record together. When the idea for ‘Selfish Love’ came up, it felt perfect. It was a fun process working with him on this; The best records are always like that, it’s fun to make them. And Justin… his voice is just magic and whenever he sings it touches the heart and soul.”
cultural diversity
William Grigahain, DJ Snake was born in Paris to an Algerian mother and French father and grew up in Ermont but always loved to travel. “As soon as my mother let me go as a child, I started traveling whenever and wherever I could.” He says that growing up in a multicultural district outside of Paris helped him to welcome openness and diversity. “Ermont is a mix of low-income people from all over the world. We all grew up together – all kinds of people, every color, every religion. I’m also French and Algerian; I’m a mix. It’s like the city of Paris It’s a big mashup.”
The classic French film of 1995. He was inspired to take up DJing after seeing a scene in la hane, in which the turntablist Cut Killer performs from his window to the neighborhood below. “As a teen, I loved American acts like 2Pac, Biggie, and even the Fugees. I had no idea what they were saying. I was just listening to the beats, the flow, the vibe,” he says Huh.
With all India performing, he inevitably wants to collaborate with some talent here. “I’m in touch with some Indian musicians right now and we’re sharing some ideas back and forth,” he says, “we’ll see.”
(DJ Snake will perform in Ahmedabad on November 18, New Delhi on November 19, Hyderabad on November 20, Pune on November 25, Mumbai on November 26 and Bengaluru on November 27. Tickets ₹999 onwards, on bookmyshow)