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DJ Pierre: God Only Knows “Last year was tough. I had never taken off such a long period from placing tracks because I was working on the album so when I finished it and was ready to shop it the big labels that I had such a great relationship with, they all said ‘I love you DJP but no thanks’. That was a wake up call and a shocker.” 22 years after some serendipitous twiddling of the Roland 303 saw him becoming acclaimed as the inventor of Chicago acid house and one of the world’s first superstar DJs, DJ Pierre admits he found himself facing unprecedented pressures as his life imploded. “I wasn’t getting the love I was used to from labels,” says Pierre, “I was divorcing, I wasn’t getting booked at the venues I was used to, and was suddenly becoming a single father raising my daughter and on and on.” However, as day to day pressures escalated, his greatest struggle came from the issue that almost crushed him before eventually saving him; his decision to embrace evangelical Christianity- to become born again.
“The devil to me is the negative force working to keep people from realizing how great they are, from realizing that they can overcome anything. When I came to that conclusion challenges in my life tripled period; personally and in the industry,” he admits. “I wanted to take myself out of the struggle and just stop being; but that wasn’t my time,” he confesses. “God literally rescued me and then renewed my mind. If you are at the point where you want to harm yourself that’s genuine evil operating. God would never cause you to think about doing something like that, only genuine evil will.” “If I didn’t have my Faith, my family, my wife who also is my partner in crime, my kids and my business partners (Joey P with PLUR and Manny Cuevas with Afro-Acid Digital) I would have been at a standstill. But when I see their energy and their belief in me I am like a tiger. When they are excited I’m excited and I remember my purpose here. So I am thankful for the support from my fans and my circle of family and friends.” 12 months on, he’s firmly back in the game, preparing to release his new artist album ‘I’ve Lost Control’ on his own label (DJP Muzik) and raring to continue what he now considers to be his God-given journey, through life and music. “There’s no such thing as luck, there was a plan for me to be doing what I’m doing before birth,” he explains, “When I came to realize that truth I wanted to make sure everything I did from that point on was in alignment with what God’s purpose is for me. I know His purpose has to do with me using my talent. I think my album is part of that purpose. I’m still growing though.”
Skrufff (Jonty Skrufff): You’re touring extensively, releasing your album and running your new label ‘Afro Acid Digital’, how are you prioritising at the moment?
DJ Pierre: “My tour schedule is actually a step below what I’m used, I took some time off from placing tracks and gigging because I had to finish my album so my tour schedule is actually just starting to pick up again. I missed it too. During the time off I made two new babies Nia and Nylah (OK, my wife did), so my family is number one priority right now. Second is my album followed by my new ventures- My T- shirt line 'PLUR' and my new digital label 'Afro Acid Digital.'” Skrufff: How much have the recent changes in the music business made DJing your key activity for making a living? Has the business situation got much worse since we spoke 18 months ago? DJ Pierre: “It’s gotten worse in one sense because I do find that DJing has become a main focus for me in maintaining my lifestyle. And that’s a sad thing because I don’t want to do a gig because it’s a ‘job’. I want to do a gig because I’m just simply excited to make people excited just by throwing on a track. Back in the day I had labels lining up to release tracks whereas now I have a full length album which, because it does not follow the ‘normal flow’ of an album, no one wants to take a risk with it; due to the industry shifts. My album is a story of my journey, it’s very personal- so it flows its own way, with different beats, different style all on one album etc. So it’s a bit different.” Skrufff: What’s your view of the label’s attitudes? DJ Pierre: “I think taking risks is a big mistake; that’s the very thing we need to do right now. If Ron Hardy didn’t take a risk in playing Acid Trax four times at the Music Box in 1985, then the world wouldn’t have had acid: (simple as that) and the DJ Pierre you know probably wouldn’t have existed. We should not allow the industry to dictate to us how we produce, how we DJ, how –to- be- period. I can easily make an album that fits within what the ‘norm" is right now; with my eyes closed. But taking risks will cause spontaneity again, and will create new creative blood. So I think a large part of the problem, besides the decline in vinyl sales etc, and distribution houses closing, the inability of the top labels to make decisions out- of- the- box and just simply fight back and start setting trends again.”
The Acid and Wild Pitch sounds set a trend; and no one understood those tracks at first; they hated my style. But look what’s become of it. So history has proven itself. Label heads; if you are listening; fight back and be as risky as ever. I’m doing that with my label Afro Acid Digital. Beside myself all the releases have been by virtually unknowns (House of Stank, Sean Nash, Mikon-Aistra, Hologram Hookers, DJ M-TRAXXX) and they are doing great. We must take risks, man.”
Skrufff: You recently DJed at Panorama Bar in Berlin: what's your vibe towards Berlin: is it a city you have strong feelings about?
DJ Pierre: “That gig was bananas! I love that place, man. Panorama Bar is definitely a spot that is growing. I played there last year and since then it’s become even hotter! It could be a result of Berlin getting hotter as well, I don’t know but Berlin gives me love every time I’m there. I hear that’s the place to be because artists get a lot of bonuses. But New York, Chicago; that’s home. Skrufff: Panorama Bar is located in Berghain: a notoriously full on gay sex club on Saturdays: how comfortable are you moving in those environments? How important has the gay scene been to your career? DJ Pierre: “I didn’t even know that about Panorama Bar, when I get there I just see people - and care about the music. I’m going to be honest; I’ve never thought about how the gay scene has impacted my career until now. Junior Vasquez is a big circuit DJ and he practically broke all my Wild Pitch stuff in New York which then took off everywhere else. So there is your answer. Life is funny. I was just speaking to my A&R about how loyal the circuit scene is. He is a big circuit scene fanatic. We will probably team up and make a circuit anthem.” Skrufff: How often do you return to Chicago: and play there? DJ Pierre: “Wow, you missed the news flash, Jonty. I moved back to Chicago about a year ago. We live in the suburbs now. My family was growing up and my parents are getting older so I wanted to connect my new family with the old. I also have a big desire to help with the scene in Chicago. I started working with guys like Ron Carroll, Roy Davis Jr., Steve Silk Hurley, Glenn Underground. Hopefully we can come together and get a movement going in Chicago again. I’m invited now and again to play with Ron, Roy and I did the Congress Theatre for the release party of the Chicago legends album produced by Steve “Silk” Hurley. Skrufff: DJ Sneak described it as a very rough place with gangs in many areas when he was growing up there in the late 80 and early 90s: how much did you encounter gangs in your youth? DJ Pierre: “Yeah, Chicago is a rough place, I didn’t wear red or blue for a long time because they are gang colours but I really didn’t run into a lot of gang activity because I was from the ‘Burbs (suburbs). I had family and friends who lived in Chicago and were into it (gang-banging), so indirectly I knew about it. The funny thing is I found out years later from my little brother Rueben that certain gang members had mad respect for me. If he got in any trouble they would look out for him saying ‘that's DJ Pierre’s little brother’. They knew of me as a DJ; so my music has always been a saving grace. Chicago today though is a place that is changing. A few years back I wouldn’t have been able to live where I am living now because I’m black; it used to be an all white area. It’s becoming less and less segregated. Hopefully everyone will come together more and the gang mentality will start to decrease.” Skrufff: Quite a few house pioneers have been born again (eg Farley Jackmaster funk, Green Velvet, yourself): why do you think so? DJ Pierre: “ Jonty, getting deep on me! I think being born again is a path that calls to everyone. Some answer the call when they are on top and they come to know that they got there not only because of their talent but also because of an unseen force, destiny, fate etc. Some answer, as I did, in their lowest moment; as in the divorce from my first wife. So I think the path is always calling and it calls louder to creative people because we are the voices. Music is Life…so we are the ones who interpret life through our music. So I think God wants to use our gifts to encourage this world. Just to show love period. That’s the main purpose for being born again; to show Love. Not just worldly Love but the kind of love that still exists even if its not returned; unconditional love. That’s the only thing, I think, is going to keep this world together in the next coming generation. When you love, really love, you don’t have time to be selfish. You’re too busy loving.” Skrufff: How big a difference has becoming born again made: how much has it given you a purpose in life (what is your purpose?) DJ Pierre: “Wow. I appreciate that question. The first real one in a very long time. A BIG BIG difference. I stopped cussing Jonty. I forgave a lot of people and let go of a lot of negative energy. And I became very honest with the way I did business. My heart basically changed. The messages in my tracks are thought about and purposeful. Even the tracky tracks have a certain spiritual energy. My purpose is to use my gift to show people that we can be better; we can overcome fear with faith, hate with love. It’s all possible through GOD.” Skrufff: How literally do you believe in End Times? How significant are global warming and the global food shortages that are starting to happen? DJ Pierre: “I do believe there will be an end and a new beginning. All the things happening now are leading up to that; this is why all the people who know better need to stand in the gap and help to balance things out so they can be more bearable. By stand I mean give to a charity, feed someone or a family, give someone a break who’s looking for one, show love.” Skrufff: What advice do you have for new producers/ DJs wanting to follow in your footsteps? DJ Pierre: “Make music from your heart and soul. Do it for the love of the music. Don't let it become a job if you can. And know that your talent is a gift with a purpose. Peace.” DJ Pierre’s new album ‘I’ve Lost Control’ is out shortly. http://www.myspace.com/djpierresafroacidproject
Article by Jonty Skrufff
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