Ellesse Sounds of Summer with Ryan, The DJ!

Born and raised in Durban, Ryan Nair started his DJ'ing career at the tender age of 16, DJ'ing at house parties and club gigs. He also spent years dedicating his time to research into turntablism, mastering a unique scratch method, which impressed many with his musical prowess, and securing his first club residency. He later entered and competed in the 'East Coast Radio' and 'MTN' battle of the DJs competition and was crowned the winner in the hip-hop category.

In 2012, Ryan was crowned the '5FM Ultimix at 6' competition winner, beating over 150 entrants and entering the next level of his career with the most tuned-in slot on 5FM radio! With a career spanning two decades, we just had to get to know this Maestro better.

And on that positively motivational note, here's what we learned about the man of the moment.

News Groove Corner - Getting to Know Ryan, the DJ! 

1. Mr Nair, as one of SA's popular DJs, your music and sets often define the atmosphere of an event. How would you describe your approach to crafting the perfect playlist?

• I always know the type of event I'm playing ahead of time and prep accordingly, adding my unique touch to it because I do more than just mix music. Besides that, it's taking in the event's vibe and getting a feel of the crowd.

2. Your performances are often described as having an electrifying and infectious energy. Could you share some techniques that keep the crowd grooving all night?

• Sets can be broken down into tunes containing elements like build-up, hype/high energy, sing-a-longs, etc. I often add my own routines, remixes and edits to a set to stand out. Knowing what to play and when depends on the event and time slot and is very important for creating the perfect flow of music for the night from start to finish. 

3. Because ellesse enjoys blending style and music, how would you incorporate the two into your personal style and set?

• Drip is life! You look good, you feel good, you play good! It's all relative!

4. What would you say has influenced you most as a DJ, and how does that affect your sound and style as a DJ?

• I started my DJ journey back in the early 2000s. During that era, the scene was different; DJs were spinning on vinyl and CDs. It was not as easy and accessible as it is today, so watching DJs from a technical aspect and the art of digging for music has influenced my sound to this day. 

5. Summer is a playful and upbeat season, often inspiring joy, laughter and fun. How will your 'Sounds of Summer’ tie into the season while capturing the essence of the ellesse brand?

• My Sounds Of Summer set is all about the good vibes incorporating tunes from the 90s and 2000s! A trip down memory lane is always welcome, so this is one you want to play loudly!