R-ash’s fb page R-ash’s soundcloud
Here’s the last podcast from RETRO FUTURE, the Toulouse based radio show hosted by Vega and Marv on Radio Campus and Unfamous Radiostenza (http://radio.unfamousresistenza.fr/). This edition features at the second half an exclusive mix by R-ash , a talented turntablist and beatmaker from Paris, France owner of the Lobby records imprint . Expect some turntablism skills and some catchy vibes. Check this mix, check his pages and the interview below.
Retrofuture #12 Guest : Dj R-ash by Retrofuture Radioshow on Mixcloud
INTERVIEW (French and English versions) :
1 Hi R-ash, first thank you for giving us the time as well as preparing this mix for Retrofuture. Could you introduce yourself for those who do not know you?
Riad Hammadi aka R-ASH [RH], DJ, producer and Boss of the Lobby Records label, I had a long career in the field of dj’s competitions (7 times Champion of France and 3 times Vice World Champion) from 2000 to 2010, have been residing on different Radio: Local Radios in my hometown (Toulon), Radio FG from 2004 to 2008 and now Mouv ‘Radio from the Radio France group. At the same time I made several tours through France with different rap groups and French pop bands (Puzzle, Haroun Scred Connection, Anais, Entourage …) I did appearances on various projects, released two album ( Tayrald Break and Daily Thrill) for dj’s turntablist via the Scratch Science label, under the name of Vand Vand and for 2 years I put out regularly tracks and remixes and continues to travel, all over France and from time to time abroad.
2 Tell us about your set. Can you tell us what your influences in the current musical landscape are?And where you situate yourself in it?
It depends on the mood, there are songs I’m going to enjoy one day and the days after a little less … I put myself in the middle of it, the goal is to be the least influenced possible, in the meaning that no matter your level is in what you do, the key is to have a particular identity.
3 What do you think are the artists to follow now?
There’re guys like Cashmere Cat / Lido among others who were able to bring up to date RnB vibes that was banned for a few years in the world of electronic music, some artists affiliated to Soulection also understood the importance to put back the musicality in the center of things …There’s artists like Pyrmdplaza or Invention to name a few who have made incredible tracks, in fact I’m really sensitive to particular songs, everything is not good to listen, unfortunately even among guys who have made bangers.
4 What are your musical projects to come, as well as those of which you are most proud of?
I prepare the release of Never Let Me Go, the song, the video clip, and the Remixes by artists from whom I appreciate the work, in fact I think it is the formula that best stick with our time, at the crossroads between Single, compilation and EP. It goes deep with a set of styles I feel close to and reflects the image and the overall direction of the label when it comes to the releases. In fact I am proud of my whole career, I realized the dreams of when I was a kid and I’ve spent my life doing what I wanted, I made a life out of it and I realize how lucky I can be .
5 You do come from the turntablist scene, how long do you practice? How did you fell into it?
I started in ’96 at the age of 11, 3 or 4 years before the arrival of Hip Hop and democratization in Europe, we were lucky to have the cable, the ancestor of Box or ADSL, we could watch MTV and was glued to Yo MTV Rap, it was the golden age … So the fact of putting yourself at rapping or getting you a role in the movement was necessary to you ; my brother and cousins who had a rap group at the time were lucky to find Technics MKII in good condition at a guy who wanted to get rid of it … it was a godsend and after that it was on …
6 What do you think of the current scene scratch?
I think she is in effervescence, I’m stunned knowing the stability in the number of fan but I regret a little that some of them lack of flow because they want to go too fast beyond learning the basics techniques.
7 You play quite fairly new sounds like, trap, jersey club, you’re already on the radio le moov, how are your takes on these recent trends here in France?
The future will tell but I think it’s just the evolution of things, there is some for everybody, all the work of a DJ is to sort and to share the best with the public, at the same time I am away from current trends which mark a particular time.
8 The next gigs ?
All gigs are announced on my page www.facebook.com/rvandash
Finally we let you speak for the last word and thank you again!
Thank you and to those who will read this interview!

