Whether blitzing international festival goers with thumping electronic music baselines or serenading a vibey club with soulful sounds, Jason Le Roux is a DJ maestro whose turntables are his orchestra. Beyond his well-honed abilities to make you dance till dawn, the savvy DJpreneur has pioneered nifty concepts such as Neverland — Zimbabwe’s first electronic music festival.
the style interview with Nyasha Themba Dhliwayo
Prior to this, a career that traces its roots to the turn of the century has seen him host a radio show, establish an innovative marketing agency and maintain an intense tour schedule that has seen him emerge as Zimbabwe’s most internationally booked DJ. It’s safe to say that Le Roux is trailblazing a strobe lit path into becoming a formidable Zimbabwean and arguably African urban-culture ambassador. The Standard Style’s Nyasha Dhliwayo (ND) talked to Le Roux (JLR) about his adventures on the local and international electronic music wonderland.
ND: Being spotted by music scouts and signed in 2004 was the starting point of your career as a professional DJ. How did this break come about?
JLR: Well, my career as a DJ had started some years earlier when I had been asked to perform in a DJ battle event. I’ve never liked the idea of a “DJ battle”, but my friends convinced me that it would be fun and I ended up doing it. There were scouts at the event who approached me after my set.
ND: After this career-defining encounter, did you harbour ambitions of pursuing another career?
JLR: Not really, I never expected much to come out of it, to be honest. At that time, I only enjoyed playing music and being involved in the industry. Getting paid for that was just a bonus. After a while, I then realised that I could potentially make a living from it.
ND: Prior to this “big break”, you had played the piano since you were five and performed in various bands. How did this background in playing live instruments impact your approach to DJing?
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JLR: Music has always been a big part of my life, as it is to most of us. The ability to listen to a song or perform a set from a musician’s perspective is a great advantage. I approach my DJ equipment the same way I would a musical instrument. There’s a difference between letting a song play and playing a song.
ND: What’s the most memorable highlight of your career?
JLR: The first Neverland. It reaffirmed my belief in Zimbabwe, it’s potential and what we are striving to achieve.
ND: When you look back at your 16-year-old career, what are some of the things you feel you could have handled better?
JLR: I honestly don’t have any regrets. I would do it all the same again. I’ve worked hard to be where I am and I’m blessed to be in the position I am in.
ND: What are the challenges you have faced in your career to date?
JLR: Yes, as with anything else, there are challenges. Trying to build and re-ignite a culture and industry from the ground up comes to mind. One of the hardest things though is maintaining a consistent persona regardless of what’s happened in your life. Whether it be a personal loss or tragedy or simply a really bad day, the public have an expectation of character which they’ve become accustomed to. If you’re a public figure or performer, you have to be strong enough to get on that stage or do that show and give them what they’ve come for.
ND: You are still spinning records, meaning that you got over these hurdles. How exactly did you overcome them?
JLR: Never, ever give up. I believe in what we are doing and I love what I do, which in a way makes it easy to wake up in the morning and keep going. I have a supportive family and I also have an understanding wife in my corner, who supports me and understands my vision.
ND: What would you say are the ingredients for a banging live performance?
JLR: The ability to “read a room” is very important, knowing what to play and when to play it separates the good from the great. It’s about setting a mood and taking people on a journey. Anyone can play the hits.
ND: What’s been the craziest and most exciting gig you’ve ever played?
JLR: There has been so many. Too many to mention. But playing to a home crowd can be very special.
ND: What’s the most LOL (Laugh Out Loud) movement you have experienced during your live sets?
JLR: Again, there has been many funny moments. But I fear the best would most likely have to be censored before publication.
ND: How did you get to play at Ibiza (Spanish island regarded as the “party capital of the world”)?
JLR: By simply nurturing the relationships with great people I’ve met over the years.
ND: What was the experience like?
JLR: Ibiza is really special. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s an island divided into two parts — a hedonistic musical playground as well as a beautiful and spiritual quietness. Both of which I fell in love with. I recommend it to everyone, regardless of age.
ND: You’ve also shared the stage with a number of international superstar DJs and acts. Which DJs and acts made the greatest impression on you and why?
JLR: Hardwell for his tireless commitment to the craft and having a very clear goal of being the world’s number one DJ. Nathi [Black Coffee], however, is someone I will always refer to for being one of the most humble and quietly confident guys I’ve worked with. He is an incredible inspiration to this generation.
ND: Having been exposed to the international dance music scenes, what things do you think Zimbabwe DJs need to do so that they can bridge the gap and break onto the international scene?
JLR: Stay humble. Open yourself up to learn every day, there is a whole world out there doing this. Start following international DJ’s, labels and events, not just the traditional ones everyone knows about. Play tracks out of your comfort zone and become a trend-setter rather than playing the same music everyone else is playing. Finally, if you are producing, stop trying to copy or recreate a particular sound and create your own.
ND: How can upcoming DJs start off from where they are?
JLR: We’ve all been there. I didn’t grow up in a family that had money and if I wanted something I had to work for it. I started off playing at parties for friends. I hung out around people with-in the industry, collected music, made friends and supported their parties. I used to watch the DJ’s and ask questions. It’s a lot easier these days, with the access to information, YouTube and free software, but the principals remain the same. Support and believe in the culture and eventually you’ll get your chance. Don’t give up.
ND: How nimble are you on the dance floor?
JLR: They say, “never trust a DJ who can dance” but I was born with rhythm.
ND: Are we likely to see you engaging with other local artists to put out an official collaboration? JLR: There is something local/regional in the works, although I prefer the idea of working with artists that are less-known for a cause greater than just the artists involved.
ND: There is an undeniably darker side to dance culture such as booze, drugs, womanising and other vices. How have you responded when these temptations came knocking on your door?
JLR: Yes, there is of course a side to the industry that eventually as an artist you will encounter. It’s important to remember why you do what you do. Stay healthy, know your limits, learn from your mistakes and value the relationships you have built.
ND: How do you stay on top?
JLR: I have a great team of likeminded people, who love what they do and believe in the vision. The Hidden Culture family is an integral part of what I do. I’ve also learnt to listen to my body and know when I can push myself and when to take a break.
ND: Tell us a bit about the Hidden Culture and how they help you maintain your sanity?
JLR: Hidden Culture started with me in 2005. It has since grown into a team of 18 people — from artists to managers, booking agents and a conceptual design team. It simply cannot work without them, as the company grew we needed more hands to help. Everyone involved has an understanding of the industry and most importantly, they love music!
ND: Neverland Zimbabwe is a pretty well-run festival. How have you managed to put on a world-class show in a challenging local operating environment?
JLR: Again, having a solid team to work with is key. Understanding how things work here in Africa is also essential. Managing expectations rather than trying to duplicate some of the worlds biggest and richest festivals, we’ve tried to create our own brand and have a balanced artist line-up. I never wanted Neverland to be about one big artist, it’s about the general experience. Over the years, we’ve developed good relationships with brand partners, international artists and agencies who we are able to give mileage to, who in turn support us with our events.
ND: How did radio experience add value to you as a DJ?
JLR: It definitely expanded the reach of the music and gave me an opportunity to get some deserving local and regional talent recognised. It taught me a lot about radio as it’s a completely different format compared to performing live. What I loved most about it was that it brought different people together, from all around the world. Whether you were listening in from Zimbabwe, Europe, Asia or America, for those few hours it felt like we were connected as a global family and part of something bigger. That is something really special. The show has now moved on to a digital platform as we move forward with technology, giving people the freedom to listen to what they want and when they want it.
ND: What’s next for you?
We keep going. We continue to put Zimbabwe on the map as a serious global contender within the industry and we carry on creating event concepts and experiences that are hopefully of an international standard. We’ll continue to work with young artists as we do and continue to build and add value to the industry. For me personally as an artist, I’m still happy to just be able to do what I love every day and make a career out of it and hopefully inspire a couple of people along the way.
