BILL CLINTON'S FAVOURITE DJ

Mumbai’s favourite DJ, Aqeel, will be on the deck at the massive new Sukhumvit Soi 11 nightclub Levels tomorrow night. The club’s first foreign entertainer arrives just days after the grand opening of the sprawling venue whose two rooms each have their own DJ booths. 

Organisers DME India and Rise Productions are adding Bangkok DJs Ash and Xunny Dey to get the crowd going early. 

Aqeel is India’s most sought-after Bollywood spinner but has also played in more countries than most DJs of his level. In fact he’s the only Indian DJ able to fill concert halls overseas. 

A hit at celebrity gatherings, Aqeel’s performed at two World Economic Forums in Davos, Switzerland, so you can ask Bill Clinton and Kofi Annan what they think of him. 

As a producer Aqeel has given the world some of the best Bollywood remixes, many of which have been featured in the genre’s hit movies. His six albums have sold more than five million copies, and he runs India’s first DJ-owned record label, PowerPlay, which has released two compilation albums featuring some of the country’s finest talents. 

We got him to answer a few questions by e-mail. 

 

What’s keeping you busy?

I’m working on my latest album, which is due out very soon. And I’m working on a new remix set for release in a month.

 

How’s 2012 treated you so far? 

So far so good – it’s been great!

 

Does that extend to your luxury Hype nightclubs?

Yes, Hype has been amazing so far. It started off in 2009 in Mumbai, opened in New Delhi in October 2010 and in Goa in November 2011. We’ll be expanding to Bangalore, Pune and Hyderabad and other places very soon.

 

What’s the club scene like in Mumbai? 

Mumbai is the city of dreams. People here love to party and hang out and simply have fun. What I like about it is that the people know their music. It’s diverse, so one can never be stereotyped. Regarding music style, people here listen to Bollywood music, house, hip-hop – there’s a place for everyone.

 

What’s your own style?

I love to play house and Bollywood music. I like to experiment with my music with fresh new sounds and beats – anything that’s out of the box.

 

We’ve heard you also like to sing.

I love to rap. If I think the song demands rap or vocals I’ll definitely do it, without a doubt. 

 

What are you looking forward to on this trip?

I’ve been to Thailand countless times. It’s simply awesome. I’m looking forward to a rocking party such as Thailand has never experienced before.

 

 

LEVELS UP

Catch DJ Aqeel at Levels on Sukhumvit Soi 11 tomorrow. 

Admission with a drink is Bt1,100 but you can get a ticket in advance for Bt900.

Call (083) 815 2135 or e-mail [email protected].