Interview: DJ Mystykal Cut, this Friday at Hiphop Hijack

Manning the decks at the Hiphop Hijack party at Zeal this Friday night will be DJ Mystykal Kut (France), who's opened for Sean Paul and spun at parties for Usher, Gucci Mane, and Tony Parker. We caught up with the Miami-based DJ to get his thoughts on China, the perfect hypothetical music, and the relative merits of Beyonce and Rihanna.

1. How did you get your name?
I went through a lot of DJ names, switching names every week until I finally found "Mystykal Kut". It basically means that my "cuts" (in the mixes, scratches) are kind of mystic (laughs).

It also matches well my personality, everyone that knows me can tell you I'm kind of mystic sometimes! If I had to pick a nickname again, I'd probably pick the same, but write it "Mystical Cut" to avoid people writing it wrong 50% of the time.

2. What's the best part about doing a gig in China, and what's the worst?
From what I've experienced in my 2 previous journeys in China, the best part is to discover a whole other world, different culture, different influences, and still be able to communicate with hundreds of people with the music.

The Chinese people sometimes don't react the same as Europeans or Americans to some songs or styles of music, and that's what makes it interesting, and also hard at the same time, especially when you come to do your first gig here. You can have some surprises, good and bad ones!

3. What music is playing during:

a. The best gig ever
A mix of everything I love, going from some 80's funk to Jay-Z "So Ghetto", from old school to new school R&B, some down south and trap music to get the crowd stupid (Young Jeezy, YMCMB, Gucci Mane…), reggae, dancehall music…Some slowjams to end the night: R Kelly, Jodeci…Some soul classics...At the best gig ever, I would go in every direction with the music, with no particular order, and the people
would get crazy, scream, sing and set the dancefloor on fire to everything I play!

b. A cruel and unusual interrogation session.
The instrumental of Phone Tap by The Firm.

c. The climax in the movie about your life.
Ain't Nobody by Chaka Khan. Because I LOVE that song, and because ain't nobody like Mystykal Kut (laughs).

d. Your funeral.
Soul music. Some Marvin Gaye, Isaac Hayes, Minnie Ripperton, a lot of Motown 70's music...

4. You've just been told that the 2012 doomsday predictions are true. You're paid to organize one last gig with 3-5 of your favorite artists, at a venue of your choosing. Who's there, and where will it be?
It will probably take place on something like a nice beach in Hawaii with the sexiest women on Earth being on the guestlist, and on stage: Jay-Z, Kanye West, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie and someone like Drake for the "new school" side…Since it's never gonna happen, can I fantasize and invite some dead artists too? I'd love to have Marvin Gaye performing with Biggie.

5. Radiohead wrote a song called “Anyone Can Play Guitar”. Can anyone be a DJ, why or why not?
Anyone that has 2 ears, 2 hands and a TRUE L.O.V.E for music can become a DJ if they're willing to put some WORK in. Because nowadays everyone can buy a laptop and start "deejaying". Even though a laptop doesn't make you a real DJ, with this new gear and the internet for self-promotion, there are now millions of wannabe DJ's or new DJ's on the market trying to make it big. You gotta work on your skills and bring something special if you wanna make the difference.

6. What was the biggest challenge that you overcame to get to where you are today?
The biggest challenge in this game is to never sleep on what you got. Always try to renew your skills and sets, release new mixtapes, remixes, videos or whatever can keep you on top, because you have to think that when you're sleeping or relaxing for some days, some others are working hard to get where you are.

Besides this, another big challenge for me is what I'm currently going through, living in Miami and trying to break into the market there. It's not easy because it's like starting a whole new career, no one knows me there so I gotta start from the beginning and show what I got…Gotta give 200% whenever I get some exposure to try to impress and give a excellent first impression…No mistake allowed…

7. Would you rather have:

a. Beyonce or Rihanna?
Rihanna, despite her forehead (laughs). Because I'm sure she's a freak!

b. McDonald's or Burger King?
McDonald's, definitely.

c. Beijing or Shanghai?
Never been to Beijing so I'll have to answer that a little later ;)

d. Mac or PC?
Mac Mac Mac Mac!

8. What can clubgoers expect from a DJ Mystykal Kut gig at Hiphop Hijack?
To sweat, bounce, and enjoy a crazy night! I love China so I'll give everything I can to satisfy this crowd...So I can come back soon! If Hip Hop is a plane, I'm the hijacker!

Tickets are 100RMB, but 50RMB tickets (including one free drink) will be available if you book with Shanghaiist. Send your full name and mobile number to party@shanghaiist.com to be be put on the guest list, with entry granted after paying at the reception.

Hiphop Hijack presents DJ Mystykal Kut @ Zeal // South Bund 22, 6F, 22 Zhongshan Dong Er Lu near Xin Yongan Lu (中山东二路22号6楼，近新永安路)

Below is a teaser of what DJ Mystykal Kut was up to during his time in Miami (slightly NSFW!).

Special thanks to Maurits Elen.