How did you first get into music?
I started listening to hip hop: my brother had a load of tapes and I used to nick them. That’s the first real genre of music when I thought, ‘right, I’m saving money up to get vinyl or a CD at the weekend’. I was mainly drawn to it because of the swear words and the gangster vibe but then I really dug into it and never looked back.
How would you describe your sound?
A blend of techno, disco and house but always with an eye to the dancefloor, you know? Quite uplifting, high energy: I’m not one for doing melodic chill-out sets, but my music always seems to lead that way.
What’s been the most surreal moment of your journey so far?
When I got my first paid gig in Ibiza. The first-ever Paradise party, at DC10 – my favourite club in the world. I’ve been going since 2001, so for that to be my first gig was more than a dream come true.
What’s your favourite part of the creative process?
The best part of making music is definitely that bit when you’ve got a groove locked down in the studio and you’ve got the drum sounding right with the bass – and everything is just gelling perfectly. You listen to it and you’ve had it on a loop on repeat for maybe six hours – and you’re still not sick of it at all. It’s a really good feeling because that’s when you know that you’re onto a winner.
Marvin Gaye's lyrics had a lot more conscience and meaning than the rest of his peers
Do you have a piece of gear that you couldn’t live without?
There’s nothing I couldn’t live without clothing-wise as I’m not a materialistic person at all. Things come and go in my life so I’ve learnt not to get attached to anything.
Who would you like to collaborate with?
Marvin Gaye because he was a legend and an amazing singer-songwriter. His lyrics had a lot more conscience and meaning than the rest of his peers during that time.
Also The Cure, as they’re just so fucking cool. Their old stuff still sounds modern.
What’s been your craziest Ibiza night?
Craziest night? Too many to mention.
When it comes to style, what are your favourite label and designers and why do you like them?
I’ve always liked Wood Wood: it’s not too high fashion, it’s cool and always fits well. I also like Christopher Kane. For shoes? Axel Arigato, Supreme and Wood Wood.
I launched the label so I can have complete creative control and go in a different direction from Hot Creations.
Which emerging artists should we be looking out for?
Jansons and Senzala are two emerging artists I think you should be checking out. Both got releases on my label and both are amazing producers with bags full of talent. That’s why I signed their work already!
If you were interviewing yourself what question would you ask?
How did your American visa appointment go? Absolutely amazingly, news to follow.
What are your remaining ambitions?
Really start pushing the label hard and get some good consistency with it. Become a better DJ and a better producer, keep on pushing. I love doing the job – there’s no ‘I need this and then I’ll stop’, I just want to keep doing it as long as I can and be the best person and DJ I can be.
Why launch your own label? What has been the biggest challenge?
I launched the label so I can have complete creative control and go in a different direction from Hot Creations. It also allows me to bring artists through that I really believe in – and just have a different outlet and an identity. The biggest challenge is getting the vinyl out at the right time before the digital.
Richy Ahmed played Paradise at Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE, for more details see Blue Marlin
