EGYPTIAN LOVER  (September 2008) | Interview By:

      

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Interview was done by phone in August 2008

Questions Asked By: Chad Kiser


 

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Dubcnn: For those of us who may be too young to remember, tell us a little about yourself and how you got started DJ’ing.

My name is Egyptian Lover because I idolized King Tut for being such a young King and Rudolph Valentino for being such a mysterious romantic. I put them both together and got the name "Egyptian Lover". I started making mixtapes for my high school in 1979 and became the schoo’ls D.J. I then became so popular I started doing my own dances. I then joined up with Uncle Jamm's Army and became the best D.J. in all of Los Angeles and surrounding cities. I became so popular I started to record my own records to play at my dances. I was one of the youngest and first to ever own his own black-owned record label and distribution company at age 19. My first solo song "Egypt Egypt" sold very very well and is still selling well today after 25 years.


Dubcnn: Do you think you should get more props for being a pioneer of alot of this west coast music?

I definitely should be getting props for a lot of what happened and is happening on the West Coast. Uncle Jamm's Army and I set the tone for what was played on the radio and when I started writing my songs it was copied by everyone. It's sad to know that people only start talking about the West Coast with N.W.A. When their first song was an Electro song inspired by what I was doing at that time. But I never cared about props and being rewarded. I was paid and that was all that really mattered to me. Today, 26 years later, I somewhat care, but I'm still doing my thing and having fun doing it. So Oh Well! My fans know the real deal.


Dubcnn: You did a remix for TQ's ‘Bye Bye Baby’ single back in the day. Did you do any other remixes besides that one, but that have never seen the light of day?

Yes, I have done one for Ebony Eyes on Capitol Records and some others, but the way things work in the music biz with these major labels are a trip. I think that's why I started my own record label.


Dubcnn: How did you become a member of Uncle Jamm’s Army?

I was only about 18 years old and giving my own dances when Snake Puppy (before he joined The L.A. Dream Team) and I were at a Mall and saw Rodger from Uncle Jamm's Army passing out flyers. Snake Puppy told Rodger I was the best D.J. in the world and should be a part of Uncle Jamm's Army. Rodger knew me from the dances, but never knew I could D.J. so he had a D.J. competition live in front of everyone at the next Party and of course I won with flying colors.


Dubcnn: Do you still keep in contact with cats from Uncle Jamm’s Army?

Yes, I still keep in contact with them. They are really good friends of mine and we have great times when we talk about the good old days. Rodger and I still D.J. together and sometimes even Bobcat comes and does his thing. Uncle Jamm's Army was the biggest thing ever in Los Angeles. I owe it all to them and what we did together will forever be historic to the music scene, the party scene, the D.J. scene and the lifestyle we lived back then. We started a cult and following and did not even know it. It was bigger than we ever knew. Can you imagine 10,000 party people in one place having fun listening to a D.J.?


Dubcnn: Do you haven any funny/interesting stories from DJ’ing back in the day?

I have so many stories about back then, but I can't say much. I'm writing a book and a movie about the whole thing. It was a freaky time and a lot of freaky things went on. Let's just say my songs are written based on real events.

 
Dubcnn: You started with the 808, but what are using today to make your music?

I am still using the 808. I am even bringing one of them to the shows I do when I perform. The crowd loves it. It has a sound that mesmerizes you. And that bass is so pure. Analog is the best sound for this kind of music. I love it and am glad to have been using it in my songs (Old and New).


Dubcnn: What are you listening to these days when you hop in your car?

I listen to the old school stuff. This new stuff is getting kinda cheep sounding. I think they all are making it at home and not even bothering getting it mastered and made the right way. It sounds so unprofessional. That's why I listen to the Classics. Gotta love Prince!


Dubcnn: You stayed in the Electro-style of music, while many of your contemporaries like Dr. Dre or Ice-T found success with Gangsta Rap? What made you stay with Electro element?

I'm doing what I love and Old School Electro just so happens to be what I love; from day one ‘til now. That 808 sound, with those keyboard strings, with the breathing on the mic and that bass with some club style edits and a freaky voice or two: YES! That is what I love. Give me some Newcleus "Computer Age" or some Twilight 22 "Electric Kingdom". Oh, and of course some Kraftwerk, The ones who started it all. I play only that stuff in my rides.


Dubcnn: What’s changed between now, and when you pioneered the music scene on the west coast?

I really feel sorry for the kids today in Los Angeles, and all over for that matter. Back then we had a great time giving parties and everyone would come to have a good time. The girls were so fine and all the guys would just come to have a good time. It was a multi-cultural party with all kinds of people. We had Goth, Punk Rockers, Hip Hop, Prince-clones, Mod, Gangsters, Pimps, Freaks, Freaks, Freaks and D.J.'s who all got along. The gangsters started to get a bit crazy every now and then, but our BIG security took care of that. It was always a great night to dance, enjoy the music and meet a girl or two. The music was the best music in any era. We played stuff like Prince, One Way, The Time, Bar-Kays, Run DMC, Whodini, Soul Sonic Force, and even played the 808 live! It was the best time to grow up in. Today it's kinda thuggish and sad to see everyone getting high and not dancing. It's a sad "blue mood" of a scene. I sometimes wonder what the producers of today are thinking?


Dubcnn: Who are some of the more well-known artists you’ve worked with over the years?

I don't work with a lot of people. I like doing it all by myself. I take my music more serious than most people so I don't work with many others.


Dubcnn: What are you doing today?

Today I am touring all around the world and doing an awesome show. I just toured with M.I.A. and I just did the D.E.M.F. (Detroit Electronic Music Festival) and to see the people enjoy the music today like it was brand new is still a great feeling to me. I am currently recording a new 12" single and a new album for 2009. 2009 will be my record label’s 25th anniversary and I am planning to put out a 12" single every month, starting this year with "Keep It Hot" my new single. There is so much more of Egyptian Lover coming. "Egypt Ear Werk", "Clone Machine", "Electro Bass 7", "Jamie Jupiter" and many many more collabs and songs to dance to.


Dubcnn: I’ve interviewed Sir Jinx, DJ Pizo, DJ Rip and other DJ’s in hip-hop. What’s your perspective on the DJ’s place in hip-hop, compared with what the title meant back then?

Today it is very important to have the D.J. run the show. Back then we were all just having fun, today we are the leaders of another movement. The D.J. did not become as popular until the 80's when I came into the scene with tricks and putting on a true show, like laying records backwards with my hands and bringing in another at the same time. I think I brought character to the D.J. It was all kinda normal until then. I recall making up the names of the mixes like the "triple threat" I use to do and telling others what they were. To see them still call it that today is a dream come true to me. It was all just so much more fun back then. A D.J. is a producer in the way he cuts a track up and makes the people dance. A good D.J. can take a terrible record and still make people dance. My words to all the D.J.'s out there...MAKE THEM DANCE!