UK DJ and producer Billy Kenny graced the shores of Durban, South Africa to showcase his amazing talent at RAGE Festival 2015.
Seen as an influential producer in the jackin’ house seen in recent years, his music is much more than one dimensional. He is able to weld together elements of techno, garage, house, and dubstep to name a few, favouring the lower frequencies, tantalizing our dance floor fantasies. A prominent name on Dirtybird records, Billy Kenny is also a label boss, co-owner of “This Aint Bristol” imprint as of 2014. We managed to chat with Billy Kenny for a few minutes, right after his set at Rage Festival 2015. To get an idea of the man behind the decks.
Azasia – You’ve already made your debut in South Africa, having played in Mozambique, Johannesburg and Cape Town. However this is your debut at Rage Festival 2015 in Durban. Describe your experience and the crowd at Rage.
Billy – The crowd is amazing, they all know my tracks and stuff. They’re educated, considering they are also very young aswell. I didn’t expect that. They’re young and they still know a lot of the stuff I was playing. It was fun.
Azasia – You are seen as an ambassador in many countries for your unique sound, how does it feel to be recognized in such a big way for doing what you enjoy?
Billy – Its crazy. I actually thank Vimo for a lot of that cause was playing a lot of my tracks in like Joburg and he’s been touring a lot of South Africa and playing my stuff like 3, 4 years ago; and it took like until 2 years ago for people to really like know who I was and stuff. This is my 3rd time tin South Africa now and everytime it just gets better and better. First time I came was 2 shows. Second was 4 shows and now 8 shows. And I thank Vimo for a lot of that. Its great, its amazing, really great feeling.
Azasia – You’ve been playing on an international level for a while now, how does each country differ in terms of the crowd and experience?
Billy – I guess you can get away with playing certain things in certain areas. Like there’s things I wouldn’t play here that I’d play in Europe. I would say Europe’s more, kind of bit dirty, more aggressive I’d say. Here is more happy. The US is very spiritual, kind of. Australia is quite similar to here.
Azasia – Music is truly a universal language which connects so many souls across the oceans, how would you describe the way in which music has shaped your life?
Billy – I began with speed garage and speed garage and garage turned into something else. There’s elements of drum ‘n bass, techno, garage, dubstep. I don’t know, I actually grew up listening to Prince and Kate Bush believe it or not. But I love anything with a 4 beat and a bit of bass in there. I love anything like that.
