David Guetta talks Las Vegas, Nicki Minaj, Sia and his hair
Renowned DJ, producer and songwriter David Guetta has celebrated at least two noteworthy events in recent weeks: He has a new single, “Light My Body Up” featuring Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne, and the French artist with signature long locks has cut his hair.
Guetta, 49, who is a Wynn Nightlife resident DJ with regular dates at Encore Beach Club, Surrender and XS at Encore, leads the first-anniversary celebration weekend of nearby Intrigue at Wynn Las Vegas next Thursday.
In a rare, one-on-one sitdown interview, the charming, soft-spoken Guetta answered questions inside the unusually well-lit VIP Living Room at Intrigue the afternoon of March 31:
Tell me about your new single, “Light My Body Up,” with Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne. You’ve worked with Nicki before on “Hey Mama” and “Turn Me On.”
Well, we have quite a history together with Nicki. My last one was “Hey Mama” with Nicki, which just passed 1 billion views on YouTube, which is really extraordinary. I feel pretty comfortable when I’m working with her because we trust each other. I feel pretty confident because we’ve had so many successes together.
It’s always exciting. I came with a production style that is very new for me. It’s very electronic still, but it has a very serious urban edge to it, so we’re both very, very excited. Plus she surprised me with Lil Wayne on the single.
You’ve collaborated with a lot of artists. Who is on your wish list of collaborations?
There are always people who I want to work with — some very big artists who are on my next album. But I’m not going to say who they are to keep it a surprise. I also always like discovering new people, especially songwriters.
I feel songwriters are often underestimated because they aren’t famous. Record companies don’t necessarily give them a chance, and I want to do that. Sometimes the songwriters I am working with have an amazing voice, so I feel like why not give them a chance if they have that talent.
This is what happened when I worked for the first time with Sia: “I am never going to find someone who can sing ‘Titanium’ like you do. It’s just impossible, so please stay on the record.” It made a big difference in both of our careers.
You’ve been a resident here at Wynn Nightlife for many years now. Why do you enjoy performing here at Wynn and Encore in Las Vegas?
Well, first and foremost, it feels like family here, which is very, very nice. I’m always on tour, so it’s a little bit of a lonely life. Feeling comfortable and at home here is something important. Also, the experience is amazing. I don’t really play clubs anymore except in Ibiza and here in Las Vegas.
It also is a unique experience for me, so I am always happy to be here. XS is super beautiful as a club, and the sound system is great. The pool party at Encore Beach Club, this to me is the sexiest event on the planet. There is nothing that can compare to this in my opinion.
Do you remember the first time you performed at XS or Encore Beach Club?
Oh, yeah, absolutely, I totally remember the first time I performed at XS because I was like, “Wow, finally I have found a place that makes me want to come back to Las Vegas.” Before, I was always like this is work. My first time at XS, I said, “This is really fun!”
Do you have a favorite memory — one or two that stand out in your time here?
The first time I arrived at Encore Beach Club and I couldn’t believe my eyes: “This is insane — I have never, ever seen anything like this.” I was quite shocked. In the U.S., people think that French people are super open-minded, which is probably true, but we don’t have thousands of people in bikinis dancing together (laughs).
I remember when you first really broke out in America with “When Love Takes Over” with Kelly Rowland in 2009. Did you think back then that you would become this big in America and have such a long run here?
Before 2009, there were no big dance records on the radio in the U.S., and that was a big mystery to me. I couldn’t understand why. I remember making “When Love Takes Over” and “Sexy Bitch” with Akon, and I had a feeling that … even the artists would tell me, “This is so amazing. You’re a producer, and we should also work on music for America.”
And I said that this could work in America. Why not? Everybody felt that it was impossible because there was no uptempo music on the radio. I thought that this was crazy and it was because radio didn’t give us a chance.
But the moment that radio gave us a chance, it exploded. I was touring as a DJ in the U.S., and I could see that — thousands of American kids going crazy for this music. So why not on the radio? It was a surprise for the industry and the artists.
You’re indoor at XS and outdoor at Encore Beach Club. Do you prefer being indoors or outdoors?
When I’m playing at XS, I’m indoors and outdoors. I really love this because, touring the world, it is very difficult to find a club that is open. Usually you have problems with the neighbors and sound. I love playing outdoors.
You’ve changed your look — you got a haircut (Guetta laughs). What was behind that decision? Was it just time for a new look?
I’m starting a new campaign, I have the new single “Light My Body Up” with Nicki, and I’m working on a new album, so I wanted everything new — a new look, a new haircut, new sounds. Even as a producer this time around, I didn’t want to use any of my sound banks. I’m going to use only new sounds, and it has made me super happy, this new cycle. It feels like starting from scratch, like when I made my first record.
You’ve won Grammy, Billboard Music and American Music awards. Is there an award that stands out for you?
The Grammy — it’s a very big honor. All of them stand out, but the Grammy is very special.
What other projects are you working on right now besides the album and performing?
I can’t really speak about it, but I’m producing an album for a really big artist that should be out in May, I think. I’m preparing my album, being here in Las Vegas and having a lot of fun.
What do you like to do for fun in Las Vegas when you’re not working?
I think that I’m like every other guy — I like going to the strip club (laughs). I love going to see shows. Where can you see so many amazing shows? When I have time off, I’ll do a hike in the desert — it’s super beautiful. Las Vegas is a great place to be.
What advice would you give to an aspiring DJ?
It’s very hard to give advice today because the market is completely different from when I started out. Every kid wants to be a football player or a DJ. The competition is completely crazy now. The only thing I can say is to find your own style. This music started out as being experimental and has become very formulaic now. If you look at anybody who is really successful, it is because they have their own style.
You’ve had an illustrious career. What’s left to accomplish in the career of David Guetta?
My challenge is to be able to reinvent myself every time I release a new album. My next album will be number seven. It’s becoming more and more challenging to do something new, but I think that “Light My Body Up” is very different than what I’ve done in the past. This is where my challenge is.
