Today we’re excited to bring you an exclusive mix and interview with DJ Wantigga! Residing in the Netherlands, Jonathan Tan AKA Wantigga, has been making beats in his hometown Deventer since he was a boy. Growing up in a churchgoing household, he was raised with lots of gospel, soul and jazz music. As an autodidact, he taught himself to play several instruments, but his interest turned quickly to electronic music and hiphop. We talk to him about his musical influences growing up, his latest EP Pillow Track, and who he’d love to collaborate with. Listen to his mix below, which includes a Grades remix of Lianne La Havas’s ‘What You Don’t Do’, as well as tracks from Sam Gallaitry and Soulection, to ease you into the weekend.
KALTBLUT: What was it that originally attracted you to DJ’ing and producing – and how did emerging in the Netherlands music scene shape your sound?
Wantigga: Well, I started producing a long time ago when I was feeling no one except Dilla, HiTek, Timbaland, Pharrel & Premier were making the right beats for me to rap to. And since I didn’t had those guys in my address book, I decided to try and make them myself. I started playing as a DJ for the same reason, I was feeling the local DJ’s weren’t playing the right tunes to dance to. Fortunately, I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.
KALTBLUT: Tell us a bit about the production of Pillow Talk, how did you find the creative process and what did you want from the end result?
Wantigga: All of the tracks I made from scratch with the different vocalists. This was the first time I worked this way and it felt good to just go with the flow. Each vocalist is a friend of mine and each of them have different energies, making every track sound and feel different – It held a nice balance between electronics & soulful R&B.
KALTBLUT: What kind of impact did the success of “Just Friends” have on you – and which direction do you hope to go in as an artist?
Wantigga: Well, it got me noticed. And at the time, I just started making a name for myself as a DJ so the timing was kinda perfect; I could now show people were I stood as an artist. Sharing and appreciating beautiful music and making more of my own. This is what I will keep doing, either as a DJ, producer or maybe even as a vocalist.
KALTBLUT: Do you feel that playing to live crowds when you’re DJing shapes the process of how you produce songs?
Wantigga: Every producer who DJ’s get influenced. You can get influenced by random songs on the radio or someone who starts whistling something. And when you’re exposed to a lot of club music, you’ll pick things up. It doesn’t mean every producer copies what he hears in the clubs, not at all. I picked up a lot of stuff when I was playing or clubbing, but I don’t necessarily produce for clubs.
KALTBLUT: Who would you say are your major influences – and are there any artist you would love to collaborate with in future?
Wantigga: Producers I love at the moment are Louis Lastic, Geotheory, Grades or Sam Gellaitry just to name a few. I would love to record music with NAO, Majid Jordan, Chance the Rapper, Elhae, Tory Lanez, The Internet, Kendrick or Rihanna. If one of you guys are reading this, hit me up!
Wantigga’s debut EP Pillow Talk is out now via Soulection
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Feature photo by Sundai
