The track I'll be opening my next DJ set with
Jay Z: Public Service Announcement
It's my calling card. I don't usually open with anything else; it's one of Jay Z's hallmark records, and one of mine. It sets a really good tone with a really good energy.
The track I always play to rescue a dancefloor
Jay Z: U Don't Know
One of those timeless records that even though it's 12 years old, still sets a party off as much as it did when it first came out, probably even more so now. Sometimes classic records take time to become classics.
The track I think has been unfairly slept on this year
I live in my own world. If I love a record, it's done great in my head. And I'll play it regardless of whether other people love it. I try not to pay attention to commercial success.
The track I'd play to show off my eclectic tastes
Elvis Crespo: Suavamente
Where I grew up in New Jersey is very much a Latin community; I grew up with Latin just as much as hip-hop. I throw samba in there, to get people to go "Huh?" But their feet can't help but move. It's a good segue when changing tempo.
The track I'd play at my auntie's wedding
Earth Wind & Fire: September
My aunt's one of the four main reasons that I do what I do: my mother loving pop and new wave, my father being a jazz-fusion guy, my older cousin introducing me to hip-hop, and my aunt would let me play with her records, pretend I was a DJ, and scratch the hell out of them. Laying her records on her wooden floor and moving them back and forth: "Look, I'm a DJ!"
The track I wish I'd signed to my label
Just Blaze: Higher
It gave my career a lifeline. No disrespect to Capitol at all, but had I had my own label ready at the time, I could have gotten it out a lot sooner. When there's more money involved, there's more red tape.
The best track by my favourite new artist
Kaytranada: At All
He got in a cab with me; I was like, "Dude, I'm a big fan, I really, really am. Look at my phone, I'm listening to it right now!"
The track I'd play at my funeral
Run DMC: Rock Box
I remember the day that record was premiered on the radio: I was going to my babysitter aged four years old. It was loud, there were guitar solos, synth stabs… that was the first time I thought: "Wow, I just want to jump off a cliff right now and go nuts." It made me feel so energised.
Just Blaze plays Scala, N1, Sat
