Dimitri From Paris as a teenager was already editing tracks in his bedroom in the early 80s, then he began his career by hosting a funk radio show in 1986. Ten years later he released "Sacrebleu", his first album on Yellow Productions and participated in the expansion of the French Touch. We met the international DJ at the inauguration of the 'Disco, I'm coming out' exhibition at the Philharmonie de Paris, for which he created an exclusive mix.

Your first approach to beat making? 

Music is not just a beat, the word beat making is very reductive and it is more for hip-hop. My first approach to production dates back to 1980, in my bedroom, and it was focus on editing. I never wanted to be a producer, I wanted to be a remixer. I always wanted to go further when listening to a record, I was always frustrated that it was not long enough, that there was not a break, etc. I always wanted to take the record and edit it, to create it the way I wanted. It made me want to do edits and remixes.

Your first approach to Djing? 

I think in 83, it was at the Paris City Rap concert where I saw a DJ scratching for the first time.

Your favorite hardware?

An Eventide H910 Harmonizer.

Your favorite record store?

Heart Beat Vinyl in Paris.

If I tell you Disco?

It’s Afro-American music. It comes from Black people and it’s very important because it was later recovered! It’s much more sophisticated and subversive than we want to believe. There are a lot of messages and emotions. A lot of sadness staged in a very joyful way… There’s a desire to be seen when no one is looking at you, to be free. This music and movement had influenced a lot, still nowadays. There’s no clubbing culture without Disco! Today’s DJing was born in 1972 from DJs who tried to spin with two records together. The mixing desk was invented with Disco era. The first interplanetary Hip Hop hit was on disco music, “Good Times” by Rapper’s Delight, etc. It is almost omnipresent in all dance music while it is often reduced to something clownish. 'Disco, I'm coming out' the exhibition at the Philharmonie in 2025 highlights this well.

Sea or mountain?

Sea.

What comes to your mind when I say zen?

Japan.

Any ritual before a performance?

It’s a good question: Disco nap! (laughs)

If you could teleport?

Probably in the 60s because everyone believed in a better future, which is not the case today (laughs).

To dress you a pair of?

Penny Loafer moccasins.

Your favorite club?

The Bridge, in Tokyo, a music bar with an incredible sound system and a dance floor.

What comes to your mind when I say zen New York and 70’s?

Paradise Garage.

What comes to your mind when I say AI?

The evil.

What comes to your mind when I say vinyl?

Comfort.

If you weren't a DJ, what would you be?

A chef.

Top 5 disco beat

- Carl Bean "I was Born this Way"

- Change "The Glow of Love"

- Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes "The Love I Lost"

- Chaka Khan "I’m Every Woman"

- Robin Beck "Sweet Talk"

Top 5 Dimitri From Paris Remix

- Anané "Let Me Be Your Fantasy"

- Millie Jackson "We’ve Got to Hit it Off"

- Loredana Berté "In Alto Mare"

- Thales & Ahlam "Dakhilo"

- Jamiroquai "Canned Heat"

Interviewed by Dj coshmar