Shanghai, Sao Paulo, Ibiza, Johannesburg. Tiësto has been dotting the globe on his Elements of Life world tour and revving up crowds everywhere. Over the years his popularity worldwide has continued to soar. Back in 2002, DJ Magazine named him the World No. 1 DJ and he held this title up until 2004. Today, he’s still high up there on DJ Mag’s chart at a proud No. 2 following Armin Van Buuren.
Just last week Tiësto was in Hong Kong. We managed to catch him for a speedy interview just hours before he played at the Whitehead Club out in the New Territories.
It’s no wonder the Dutch don has been dubbed “the people’s DJ.” For someone with so much hype surrounding him, Tiësto had a surprisingly relaxed and carefree demeanor. When he sat down, he immediately started joking around. He playfully posed with a wide toothy grin and exaggerated gestures for the frantically-flashing cameras. Here’s what we chatted about…
Where were you when you found out about your Grammy nomination for Elements of Life, and how did it feel?
I was in Ukraine when I found out. It felt great, it really shows that the DJ world is becoming more privileged.
Do you feel that Djs have become this generations rock stars?
I guess so. But I just live in my own world, I just arrive and do my own thing.
Where do you get the names of your songs? Like Nyana?
From my travels. Once I was in Africa in a cheetah farm. There was a little cheetah and her name was Nyana and I just thought it was beautiful.
Top favourite track for the summer?
It's called 'Reason to Believe,' it’s not released yet, so you’ll have to wait for it.
And what are your Summer plans?
I will be in Ibiza playing every Monday night at Privilege. I’ll also be travelling to different festivals in Europe like Creamfields and Nature One. It’s going to be a nice warm summer.
Three favourite clubs?
Dimension on South Beach in Miami, it’s got this VIP feeling but it is still a very big club; Amnesia because it has a lot of history and Privilege where I will be playing every Monday because for me it’s a new challenge.
If I wasn’t a DJ I would be…
A chef (starts gesturing with his hands pretending to be holding a frying pan and laughing).
The craziest thing you’ve ever done?
Become a DJ. Nothing is crazy in life (smiling cheekily).
How do you keep your ego in check?
Ego check? I don’t know, I’m not really very arrogant (smiling again of course).
Any regrets in life?
No.
Really, there's nothing?
No (shaking his head with a grin)
