Calvin Harris
Fresh off the release of his dancehall-influenced single “Nuh Ready Nuh Ready” featuring PARTYNEXTDOOR, Calvin Harris joined Annie Mac for an interview on her BBC Radio 1 show on Thursday.
Among the many topics, the Scottish DJ/producer discussed what prompted him to move into a different musical direction on his last album. He also talked about how he feels about dance music and why he put Migos on “Slide.”
On what influenced him to change his musical direction:
“At the end of 2016, I put out a tune towards the end … And it came out and did alright. And I was like ok, great. And then I realized I never felt so unexcited about what I was putting out in my life … I knew that I needed to take action for my own sanity because my entire life is making music. I don’t do anything else. So I was like no, I need to be elated with what’s coming out. So then the last album I did was a reaction to that. I was like, you know what? I’m just going to do whatever I want and I’m going to spend all the money I’m making in Vegas on features and I’m going to get everyone to do a hip-hop album … I’m going to put Young Thug on a Motown funk tune, because no one else will because it’s a waste of money. So that’s what I did.”
On how his new musical direction affected him:
“… what music is now, it’s like, what playlist is this going to be added to? Or, is radio going to play it? And I didn’t care. So it felt amazing! I was like, I know this isn’t going to be successful. And then, I don’t know how, but some of the tunes did well. I was like, that’s absolutely amazing! So I had an amazing year and I felt so good about it that I was like, I’m just going to keep doing this. I’m just going to do whatever I want to do.”
On his renewed thoughts on EDM after taking a break:
“The other thing that’s funny as well is that at the end of 2016, I was like I hate this EDM thing. I think it’s awful. And then after taking a break I was like nah man, I think it’s amazing. Some of the best producers in the world make EDM … they’re amazing and I love it. So it kind of refreshed my opinion of all that. Some of the best producers in the world are Dutch, you know? Face facts. It’s true.”
On why he put Migos on “Slide.”:
“I’m not going to do a trap record, like an EDM trap record, because that makes me feel sick. Just the thought of doing that. I can’t do that. I wanna do something with soul and something that I want to listen to again. So I’m like, I wanna put everyone on something that I think is gonna work.”
Stream the entire interview here.
Related: Calvin Harris and PARTYNEXTDOOR Drop Dancehall-Influenced Single and Video, ‘Nuh Ready Nuh Ready’