Interview with Benji Boko
Benji Boko interview – CAMA Vietnam bend the ear of up and coming superstar DJ, Benji Boko on the eve of his tour finale in Hanoi.
Benji Boko has been busy cementing his status as one of the world’s most exciting new DJs on his first ever Asian Tour. Event organisers CAMA caught up with him in-between shows in Phnom Penh, Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong, where his sets of completely live remixes of everything from the Countdown theme tune to O Fortuna from the Carmina Burana have been going down like oysters on the Algarve. Can’t imagine many of those shows will have been to an audience quite as intimate as the one that’s waiting for him in Hanoi though, where CAMA are putting him on in their new venue ATK for the first 80 folk to get through the door.
CAMA VN: DJ Yoda famously described you as “the future”. What do you think is the future of live electronic music performances?
BENJI: I would like to say it’s me haha! Well it’s definitely going to be more interactive, more interesting, more performance. To be honest i feel we have lots entertainment, which people have forgot about when using the word ‘performance.’ It’s all about putting on a show, and more importantly having a real talent. I hope we see more of that in the future.
CAMA VN: How can you live up to that tag?
BENJI: Having that tag is cool. I’m going to show you how I’m going to live up to that when I come and play in your venue!!!
CAMA VN: What was it like playing to 17,000 people in the O2 Arena in London at New Year?
BENJI: Silly question…. biggest crowd to date!!! In fact, it was SO mental that I fell asleep backstage after from such an intense energy drain!!!!! Hardcore or what!?
CAMA VN: Which DJs are you inspired by?
BENJI: A-trak, dj craze, dj yoda…
CAMA VN: And what are your musical influences?
BENJI: Fatboy Slim, Prodigy, Damon Albarn, Mark Ronson, Dr. Dre… I could go on for ever.
CAMA VN: This is your first Asian Tour – what are you looking forward to?
BENJI: I’m looking forward to getting a bit crazy and having a party. I just wanna relax in the day and get wild at night. I am so excited about coming out and playing music. I’ve got some surprises and I just hope we can turn it up loud!!
CAMA VN: Will this be your first time in Vietnam? What are you expecting? What are you looking forward to in Vietnam?
BENJI: I just keep getting told what a beautiful place it is, so I want to find out what’s what. Also, I’m a real foodie and I know you guys eat some crazy stuff. I’m ready for that – elucidate me!
CAMA VN: Is there anything you can’t mix? Beer and ice cream? Cliff Richard and J Dilla?
BENJI: Are you serious? Don’t tempt me… I will beat you at this game :)
So the crickets, goat testicle ruou, ice cream and Cliff Richard are on ice for another two days. Benji’s set at ATK will be the last on his Asian Tour so it’s fair to assume he’ll be looking forward to it and looking for a massive night out at ATK.
