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DJ MEME: THE TIME IS NOW!
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In this ever changing environment, far are the days when the generating of house music was a strictly limited US/UK competition. Sign of the current times, the genre has gone under globalization, allowing the representatives of a whole bunch of emerging countries to show up their faces and in the mean time to deliver their own vision, such as Rio de Janeiro-based DJ Mêmê. A man who’s come a loooong way before becoming one of the most sought after remixers at the current time. Success story. Words by Mustafa
Could you please give us a few words as to who you are and where you come from ?
Well my name is Marcello Mansur... I am from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
What about this monker (Mêmê) of yours ?
It doesn’t have a real signification apart from the fact that it is just the addition of my initials pronounced in a way that it sounds like a name.
How did you get into music ?
I’ve always loved it. I was listening to radio and television and because I did not like football I had to find another to socialize with friends. I started organizing parties in my building playing the records I was buying. And before I knew it, I was already working as a DJ within my friends.
I heard of you playing at a very famous club of Ipanema. What’s the story ?
As I said, I started to play in parties among friends, but when I was 15, I was already spinning at one of the most famous spots in Rio, The Papagaio Disco Club in Lagoa. I had the records that the resident DJ did not have, so he let me play and we became friends afterwise. That was a smart move !!!
How did you make the step from DJ to producer ?
In 1986 I was officially requested by the record companies to do what I was already doing in my radio shows, which means re-editing songs, creating exclusive versions... They were by then amateur remixes as I was only using the original songs. When I started working in the studios for the record companies, they decided to hire musicians but unfortunately none of them understood the language of dance music. So I got into slowly buy my equipment and try to do it all by myself.
What was your first remix ?
Biquini Cavad Ão – ‘No Mundo Da Lua’ in 1986
You’ve received various gold, platinium records ... Anything to say about it ?
I don't care about this anymore. What matters for me today is discovering new things.
How did you make it to the international scene ? What was the first work which brought you that status ?It was through remixes. In 1996, I was a famous and reknown remixer and producer in Brazil, so Sony Music Miami asked me to do a remix for a Bolivian artist which worked very well. After that success, they came back to me and asked me to do a remix for a newcomer which was Shakira under the form of a radio edit of the song ‘Estoy Aqui’. I really thought that I should be doing something clubby and whatever happens shouldn’t it work would not matter anyway because the artist was unknown so I could really take my chance. In case it worked, it could be good for me. After that remix was released, my professional life started to change, according to the success of it, even Billboard Magazine talked about that remix and its impact. I was offered to do remixes from various mainstream artists like Mariah Carey, Des'ree, Julio Iglesias, Dido… It was a while after that came the ones that I really care about. In other words, the underground scene.
Your name appears everywhere nowadays. What is the secret? What are the ingredients to a good remix ?
The basic ingredient is a good song. That's where all the good ideas start from in my head. But I truly follow my heart and the feeling. If I start dancing in the studio, then I think I am on the good way. I guess the versatile experience I had throughout the years working with different musicians made a difference in the sound I produce. Not better, not worse... just different! I guess this is why I reach unexpected places with it.
You don’t have that many own tracks. Would this mean that you prefer doing remixes ?
Yes. I am definitely a remixer. I feel better this way. I like better do remixes than making original tracks. I do one original track each year, that's enough.
What has been your best success ?
It is hard to say, but I guess the latest remixes I did both for Fish Go Deep (‘The Cure & The Cause’) and Kenny Bobien (‘I Shall Not Be Moved’) made me really happy and are opening more doors for me.
Who would you like to work with. Who are your favourite producers ?
I like a lot the works of DJ Spen and Steve Angelo... but I have my favourite list including Copyright , Joey Negro , Milk & Sugar and our beloved Brian Tappert... People from the house music scene!!!
Your vision of the house scene ?
The scene goes on. New producers and artists appear everyday. Who's from the scene does not quit, this is what makes it stay firm and go up. I would say that house is truly for a restricted number of people... It is impossible to get those super clubs packed with house music all night long, but we can make the people from the scene100% happy and that’s to me what matters.
What is the best place where you ever played, and in which place would you like to play ?
The best place for me was the funky room of the Pacha in Ibiza, but I would like to play in Japan, wherever. I like those people and the idea I have of these places over there.
What do you think is missing in your career now ?
Time !!! I am missing more as… time goes. It is important being able to focus on ideas and create. I travel each weekend for playing, which is very good but keeps me away from the studio as well.
Your future plans ?
Leave Brazil and live in Europe. This would help me a lot for my career.
Any special comment ?
Yes, a sentence that I saw written on a Tom Browne album in 1980 : the chicken is the root of all funk". Understand whatever you want… As far as I’m concerned, I never did... Hahahahahaha!
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