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DJ Mag Top100 DJs
35
Carl Cox
18

“I haven’t stopped since 1988,” Coxy tells DJ Mag. “Can you imagine if I mapped out every single party I’ve ever done, the map would be riddled with pin-drops everywhere — it would be a complete rash of events that I’ve done.” 

For someone who’s meant to be slowing down a bit, it still sounds like Carl has had quite a year. “Can you imagine my life? I’m trying to kick back, put my feet up and drink some pina coladas and here I am breaking up a fight on the dancefloor,” he says, referring to a recent incident at an Athens club-night. “My life is absolutely amazing in one sense, and crazy in others. But it’s all about the music at the end of the day, as far as I’m concerned.” 

He has a kind of global ambassador role these days, but that’s not to say that Carl isn’t still bang up to date with all the latest techno sent personally from producer friends from around the world. Being voted the Highest Techno DJ in the poll once again is testimony to a DJ still absolutely at the top of his game. Carl talks enthusiastically about his new label Awesome Soundwave, for which he’s only signing live electronic acts. “There’s a million DJs now,” he says, “but I want people to see that in our electronic world, there are people who can actually perform live, can actually play the things you see in front of ’em. So I’ve created an outlet, a platform. I want to see more live artists — we may see the next Prodigy out there.”

Do you submit your DJ setlists to the relevant royalties collecting society?

“Neighbouring rights has started to happen, this works better for me than [Pioneer DJ] Kuvo.” 

What more can we do to combat the mental health crisis in our scene?

“Keep making people aware that the job we have is fantastic, but it comes at a cost... Speak out... it helps people to understand.” 

Are you personally doing anything to improve the gender balance of line-ups?

“I’ve always chosen DJs on their merits — man or woman. The time is now for female DJs to bust the door down. It’s awesome to see that times are changing.” 

What changes have you made this year to be more environmentally friendly?

“Plastics has been a big thing this year, putting your rubbish in the trash is always a good thing.” 

What was your favourite toy when you were a kid?

“It was always car related, probably Scalextric.” 

What’s your guilty pleasure?

“Riding motorbikes. Having the helmet on, nobody knows who you are… you’re just a fellow biker with everyone else.”