Interview with DJ4RAIN

We asked a few questions to our alumni DJ4RAIN to have some news and know more about his artistic project as well as a few words on his audio training at Musitechnic.

Musitechnic: What first got you into music? Who or what inspired you to make music?

DJ4RAIN:  I have been into music since I was young because my dad was always playing records  of artists such as Michael Jackson, James Brown, Marvin Gay etc… And a lot of Cap Verdean music with Cesaria Evora, Tito Paris and many more. All that got me into music and when I was a teenager I started DJing for fun and little by little I was doing birthday and parties and later I got my first gigs into clubs.

Musitechnic: How would you describe the music that you typically create?

DJ4RAIN: My first love if I can call it like that was Hip Hop. That’s where I was comfortable when I started but today I would say that I can produce EDM, Pop, Hip hop, Dance, House music… I would say that I currently do international music where I can mix different types of music and touch a larger audience.

Musitechnic:  Usually, what is your creative process like?

DJ4RAIN: In my case it’s random, I have an idea provoked by anything from the sound  of someone screaming , to listening to the sound of a natural element when walking on the beach or in a forest etc..… Once something hits me emotionally I just go to my studio and I create around the inspiration I got earlier the same day. 

Musitechnic: Can you tell us a bit more about your journey in audio and music, how you learned everything you needed to get where you are today? 

DJ4RAIN: So typically I spend 8 to 10 hours in a studio creating for my career or for other artists. When I work with other artists and we can’t be in the same country we work together on Visio or phone call and we exchange on the projects. 

Getting where I am today was not an easy road; to make it short and avoid getting into a lot of details; determination and discipline are extremely important. On top of that there  are things  that whoever wants to get into the professional audio industry would  have to understand whether it is on the music side or the business side. Finally knowing how to surround yourself with the right people is one of the most important things. I had to learn that not everyone is by your side, looking for your best interest.  

Musitechnic: Do you mix and master your music yourself or do you collaborate with dedicated audio technicians?

DJ4RAIN: I pre-mix all my projects by myself but if I have time (it depends on the workload that I have), sometimes I’ll mix and master myself. But most of the time I’ll leave that part to an engineer that is dedicated only to those applications.

Musitechnic: What first got you into music? Who or what inspired you to make music?

DJ4RAIN: I pre-mix all my projects by myself but if I have time (it depends on the workload that I have), sometimes I’ll mix and master myself. But most of the time I’ll leave that part to an engineer that is dedicated only to those applications.

Musitechnic: Would you recommend going to an audio school to have a career in music?

DJ4RAIN: Well in my case going to an audio school was the best decision I took. Musitechnic helped me to perfect what I learned on my own. I learned new production techniques and reached a much higher level after graduating, so yes  if someone asks me I will suggest that they get into a music school. 

Musitechnic: What first got you into music? Who or what inspired you to make music?

DJ4RAIN: I performed in different European countries (France, England, Spain, Portugal).

I did a lot of live radio in Paris, for example at Skyrock FM (the biggest hip-hop related FM radio in France), I also played at a couple music festivals, one that I liked a lot was in Costa Rica before COVID-19 situation.
My best gig until now was performing in Miami at Rolling loud. That was awesome even if I was not a headliner but that was great. I also did the biggest clubs in Miami: LIV, Rockwell, Studio 23, Wall.

I also performed in French Riviera in Monte Carlos , Nice , Cannes Saint-tropez

My team and I are working for the next tour that will take me to Asia, Africa, and South America, with the help of God the Corona virus will end soon and we can all go back to a normal life.

Musitechnic: What are the biggest struggles that you had to face as an artist?

DJ4RAIN: The industry is hard, unfortunately I had to accept that talent is not enough, to find the right people to surround myself with was very hard .

Musitechnic: Which artist would you most like to collaborate with?

DJ4RAIN: I would love to work with Sia, Ed Sheeran, David Guetta, Drake, Bad Bunny  and many more that, of course, I would be honored to collaborate with.

There are so many talents out there that it would take days to name all of them .

Musitechnic: Do you have any specific advice for the people just starting out their music career ?

DJ4RAIN: I would say believe in yourself, don’t give up because the road will be long.

Educate yourself , find a good school and don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. That would be the best favor you could do to yourself!

Musitechnic: Finally, can you tell us what’s next for you?
Are you working on some specific projects currently?

DJ4RAIN: I’m working on different projects, I have one with Emeli Sande, Jeremih, Farina, and other projects that I can’t really talk about at the moment . 

I’m also working on a soundtrack for a couple Netflix productions.