A DJ can be a Bollywood Music Director, but a Bollywood Music Director can never be a DJ- Kuldeep Kerkar
By SAMPURNTuesday, July 6, 2010
July 6, 2010 (Sampurn Wire): DJ Bobby is a name to be reckoned with in the current scenario of Deejaying after having relentlessly pursued his checkered career for almost two decades from 1989 onwards. In his arduous journey he has specialized himself in the Retro Music arena, Bollywood Remixes et al. Of course hailing from a family of musicians and artistes also proved to be a boon, a blessing in disguise for him which also inspired him to launch the first ever Retro Night in a popular Night Club in Aamchi Mumbai as DJ Bobby. The DJ who is formally called Kuldip Kerkar himself is a typical Mumbaicha Mulga. Shaheen Raaj caught up with the jovial and handsome dude in a Gastro Bar, Kino 108 in Four Bungalows Andheri to get a lowdown on his career in general and Deejaying in particular.
On his background:
“I was born (13th February 1973) and brought up in Mumbai. I always wanted to be a part of music and ended up being a DJ in my early teens. My father used to play Sitar and Tabla and two of my Uncles were guitarists. My Grandfather was a violinist and my Aunt was a singer. So music is in my blood. My Mom is an artist being a student from the J.J. School of arts. I have taken basic training in sound engineering and sound designing besides having maintained and setup sound systems in various clubs.”
On his initial stages of journey as a DJ:
“When I was in college I used to go to ‘Go Bananas’ at Kamat’s Plaza near the airport. Remy was a DJ there. We exchanged a few words after which he was convinced that I could be a DJ because of my vast knowledge of music. So he spoke to his seniors and got me in. Then there was no looking back.”
On his varied stint as a DJ down the years:
“After my initial stint at ‘Go Bananas’ I worked in many places like ‘The Cellar’, ‘Tavern’, ‘Copper Club’, ‘Velocity’, ‘J49’, ‘Zwigs’, ‘Enigma’, ‘Fire n Ice’, ‘Tantra’, ‘Paparazzi’, ‘Fluid’, ‘Mikanos’, ‘Dusk’, ‘Shiro’ et al. The longest I worked was at ‘Avalon’ (Hotel Bawa International) for eight years as a resident DJ and the person who got me there was none other than the number one and veteran DJ for so many years, DJ Akbar Sami. Later on I did many Shows and New Year parties besides maintaining my job at ‘Avalon’. I also worked for the ‘Hawaiian Shack’ in Bandra for a few months before going abroad, which was a great and enriching experience.”
On his overseas stint as a DJ:
“Yes in between I was away from the Deejaying scene in India because I got a chance to go International with ‘Royal Carribean’ Cruise Lines in USA. I was there for three years from 2006 to 2009. I learnt a lot of music there as well. This helped me to perfect myself in the art and styles of Deejaying. Believe me, learning new styles of Hip - Hop, from a country from where it originates was an outstanding experience.”
On his making of a remix album:
“My first experience of remixing an album was when I had remixed the Bollywood track ‘Khatouba’ from the film ‘Alibaba Aur 40 Chor’ which had music by the Late R.D. Burman. It was released by Sagarika Music. The Video Track of the album which was shown on all the music channels had become very popular.”
On his specialization as a retro musician:
“Yes. It’s very much true. I can re - create the 70s, 80s and early 90s Retro Nights. Apart from Retro, I am also specialized in Commercial House, Hip Hop and Bollywood music. In fact I was the first to start a Retro Nights in a Night Club in ‘Avalon’ on Wednesdays and Bollywood Nights on Saturdays when nobody had even thought about it.”
On his opinion about the difference between a DJ and a Bollywood music director:
“You see in my opinion a Bollywood Music Director makes / composes songs while a DJ’s job is to spin the music and make people dance. But since he plays music for hours together and before that he rehearses a lot so I think he knows more music and the latest styles in music besides he can also adapt the current styles of music with the existing songs and create a dance mix out of them which is best suited for that particular track. So over all I would say that it is not easy but a tough job. I have been a Club DJ for more than 20 years and so I played music every night for more than 4 hours. Is that not like rehearsing, just like a singer or a guitarist would do? In fact I think its more practice than most of the musicians do in their entire career. In the end I would like to emphasize that ‘A DJ can be a Bollywood Music Director, but a Bollywood Music Director can never be a DJ’. Therefore I also believe that a DJ makes a better musician.”
On his views about today’s popular music:
“I think it is Pop, Hip Hop and House Music which are a hit among youngsters. While Retro Music goes with the middle aged and of course there is Bollywood Music for everyone.”
On his suggestions about the qualities that a DJ should possess:
“A DJ should first and foremost have a passion for music. Then he should know his music well. Mixing music and entertaining the crowd is what every DJ should be all about. A DJ should also keep updating music as well. In our country, one has to know Indian as well as western music. A DJ should also be using the MIC to get the people going.”
On his present phase as a DJ:
“At present I am working at Kino 108 which is the most happening Gastro Bar in Andheri (west) in Mumbai. We had started with Retro Music and then Hip Hop Music and have now moved onto House Music. My bosses Kabir and Imran are amazing human beings and they treat me like an artist and not as DJ and that is every Club DJ’s dream of being treated with respect as an artist”
On his two decades of journey as a DJ:
“My entire journey of two decades as a DJ in one single word is ‘GREAT’! Whatever I am today is because of MUSIC. I would also like to share one more secret. I got the love of my life just because of MUSIC.”
On his tips for the new entrants in the deejaying arena:
“A new entrant in the arena of Deejaying should first and foremost know his music then of course he should know how to operate the electronic gear like CD Players and Mixers for spinning the music. Besides while performing they must know their audience without that, it would be a flop show. A DJ also has to relate to the crowd with the music and get them going by speaking on the MIC. Dressing up in style can also add to a DJ’s outlook and is also important.”
On his opinion about a professional course to be a perfect DJ:
“Yes I do believe to a certain extent that a professional course to be a perfect DJ will help in the initial stage but it also depends on who’s teaching them. But of course what you carve out of yourself entirely depends on you, your passion for music and your desire to drive the audience mad with your music.”
On his future plans:
“You see every DJ’s dream is to produce music, I too have it. I’m just waiting for the right break. Yes I want to open a DJ school too because I believe in spreading knowledge but I need a resource who will sponsor me as I want to do it on a big scale and not just a small School which will give half baked knowledge to students.”
On his last words to his fans and younger upcoming DJ’s:
“Of Course! The younger upcoming DJ’s should know their stuff well. They should never try to copy others. They might not be as good as you are, in your own way, so specialize in what appeals to you. Spread the love for MUSIC, and above all, let’s all ROCK IT. And to my fans I would like to say that you guys have been amazing. You are the real fans of music. I am just here to deliver it to you in the best way possible. Thanks for all your love and I really mean it: I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!
– Shaheen Raaj/Sampurn Wire
