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Body & Soul's Danny Krivit: New York's Original Superstar DJ

Author: Benedetta Ferraro
Friday, March 29, 2002
I remember being young and looking at DJs who were younger that I am today and thinking 'God what are you doing, how can you be a DJ, you're ancient, a grandpa!' Here I am, older than that person was, and just in the middle of it having fun. I don't think about it as long as I'm having fun."

With a childhood forged in 60s Greenwich Village alongside his buddy Nile Rogers (Chic) and his bohemian bar owning father (who once managed Chet Baker) Body & Soul's Danny Krivit had a perfect New York education in music. One of the city's first serious DJs from the mid 70s, he DJed alongside the likes of Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa and Larry Levan and today is recognised as one of the true pioneers of DJ culture.

Currently promoting a superlative New York retro compilation, "Grass Roots; Musical Influences and Inspiration", he came into London recently to spin at the end and met up with Skrufff's Benedetta Ferraro before the show. Direct, outspoken and a through and through New Yorker, he was also clearly passionate about his vocation.

"You have to believe in what you like, whether people like it or not, and you have to continue what you're doing whether it's a success or not. That makes you a leader rather than a follower."

Skrufff: This is you're second time in London in the last 12 months, how do London clubbers compare to New Yorkers-

Danny Krivit: "To tell you the truth, François (Kavorkian) and other friends have always painted a dark picture of it here, so I've always wondered if I was going to like it, but since Strut started bringing me over, I know the crowd that I get here and I've had a great time. Compared to New York- New York is completely different to me because I've lived there my whole life and I know I can play there like I would in my neighbourhood."

Skrufff: Do you get a regular audience when playing there-

Danny Krivit: "Yes, very much so they're friends who bring along their friends. They're people who grew up with the same influences as I did and it shows, because I can play records from ten or twenty years ago and I get a very specific response that I'm not going to get anywhere else in the world."

Skrufff: Many DJs agree that the atmosphere in NY has changed after September 11th…

Danny Krivit: "I think for some people it has. For me and everybody at "Body & Soul" certainly it did when it first happened, but comparing now to last year I'd say it's not so dramatic. The parties that I'm doing surely went through a cleansing which was very healthy, and ultimately I feel they're better than they were last year."

Skrufff: What's made them better-

Danny Krivit: "'Body & Soul' was getting very big and popular, therefore it attracted many other people, not just tourists, but people who liked it because it was trendy, rather than because of the music. I noticed the regulars felt uneasy because the club was becoming overcrowded with the wrong people. That's now turned around thankfully."

Skrufff: Isn't there a danger in "Body & Soul' becoming too elitist-

Danny Krivit: "Don't get me wrong, I like new people, but I like people who come with an open mind and an interest in music. The crowd I was referring to didn't fit into any of these categories, they just came there to be seen. We also started attracting local guys from Chelsea, a real gay crowd, who really didn't get it and that really bothered me."

Skrufff: I never thought DJs would keep such a vigilant eye on the dance floor…

Danny Krivit: "As a DJ and a clubber, I always prefer not to be in overcrowded venues, I like space. If it's going to be crowded at least it'd better be with people who get it (understand it) or are willing to get it. There's no point in having a bunch of 'dead' people stopping up (filling) your floor."

Skrufff: Do you feel the same excitement playing today as you used to, ten or twenty years ago-

Danny Krivit: "I do, but in a different way. In the past, it was fresh for me, but certainly<
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