SPINNING LATIN TUNES IN HK
He calls himself DJ SalsaGodfather or DJ SGF. Born in France, Eric Charpentier discovered his love for music at the young age of 8. By the time he was 20 years old, his first performance as a DJ was at the famous Golf Drouot Club in Paris, which has hosted a number of famous guests including the Beatles, David Bowie and the Rolling Stones. Since then, DJ SGF has followed his destiny around the world in the 80s and 90s - Tunisia, Greece, Switzerland, Italy, Haiti, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Colombia, USA, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, New Caledonia, Cuba - and finally Hong Kong (phew!).
Indeed, it is no surprise how he earned his current stage name, thanks to more than 20 years of proud effort building his reputation in the latin music scene with his impressive and ever-expanding repertoire of latin music gathered over the years. His love for the Latin American culture is very evident in the way he shares life, passion and music at events and venues around the world, and he shows no signs of stopping.
Since 2006, DJ SGF has been spining Latin music for Fun4U Production which is a latin dance and party organizer in Hong Kong, and for Xperience, a club which owes part of their thanks to him for their honourable title as the "best salsa venue in Hong Kong" time and time again. Most of DJ SGF's rhythms and tunes hail from the Latin American countries he has been to, with focuses on Salsa, Mambo, Bachata, Merengue, Latin Jazz, Kizomba and Zouk - just to name a few. We did a short but fun interview him on his life in Hong Kong and as a DJ.
What got you interested in Latin music in the first place?
The blend of cultures and religions, colors and sounds. I love Latin music, his influences mixing Spanish, French, African ... If all the musics of the world, had to make an appointment, it would inevitably Latin America. (Specially for me, Cuba, Colombia, Dominican Republic...)
What kind of music styles you like the most?
Tropical Latin Music (Salsa, Dura, Clásica, Romántica, Mambo, Bachata, Merengue, Son, Timba) and Kizomba, Zouk, Latin Jazz, House, Electro and Hip Hop.
Who are the DJs or musicians that have impacted your music mixes?
My musical influences are from the rhythms of Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, New York, Africa. As a DJ, our greatest satisfaction comes from sharing our passion and our music with others. Music has no gender, no religion, no race and no borders.
What do you like best about your job so far? Which is the best event you have done DJ in?
The best part of my job is to bring happiness to people. It is very hard to single out one event as the best one, but so far for 2013, my best event has been working at Armani Prive, Hong Kong, where a beautiful rooftop and skyline was transformed into a wonderful latin party.
You have travelled to a lot of places and demonstrated your skills. Which countries have impressed you the most in terms of reception towards Latin music?
Outside of Latin America, Hong Kong has really impressed me.
Since you have lived in Latin America before, how do you find it and what can you recommend to those who are thinking of exploring or moving there?
After my first trip to Latin America. Back in France, I had only one desire: to return. Latin America, a magnificent heritage, incredible cultures, peoples welcoming. And as Colombians say: ''In Colombia, the only risk is wanting to stay''.
When and why did you decide to move to Hong Kong? What is the impression of the latin dance scene here?
I came to Hong Kong in 2000. I have no regrets, I love Hong Kong, I love Asia! The general standard of salsa dancing has improved over the years. We have salsa almost every night here, and our annual salsa festival has been growing yearly. Our dancers are some of the most open and friendly dancers in the world.
What are some of the challenges of living as a being an ambassador of latin music in HK?
The challenges of living in Hong Kong as a promoter of the Latin American culture, is to contribute in the opening of the Latin music to the Chinese culture.
What are some of the things you like to do in Hong Kong?
We have a great landscape, from the beach to the mountains, and a tremendous variety of local and international restaurants. I enjoy listening to music of course, relaxing on the beach, and tasting local delicacies as often as possible.
Your next course of plan after Hong Kong in 5 years time?
In 5 years, I think I would still be in Hong Kong and happy to continue spinning my music. I also hope we have more dancers and promoters from South America, Europe, Australia and USA to create stronger bonds with Asia.
If you were not a DJ, what would you do?
Be a traveller or discoverer.
Written by Maria Fung
http://www.vidadelatinos.com
Published on Vida De Latinos - Connecting You to Latin America (http://www.vidadelatinos.com)
Source URL: http://www.vidadelatinos.com/article/spinning-latin-tunes-hk
(01 April 2013)
Photo by ALI G. www.aligstudios.com
He calls himself DJ SalsaGodfather or DJ SGF. Born in France, Eric Charpentier discovered his love for music at the young age of 8. By the time he was 20 years old, his first performance as a DJ was at the famous Golf Drouot Club in Paris, which has hosted a number of famous guests including the Beatles, David Bowie and the Rolling Stones. Since then, DJ SGF has followed his destiny around the world in the 80s and 90s - Tunisia, Greece, Switzerland, Italy, Haiti, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Colombia, USA, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, New Caledonia, Cuba - and finally Hong Kong (phew!).
Indeed, it is no surprise how he earned his current stage name, thanks to more than 20 years of proud effort building his reputation in the latin music scene with his impressive and ever-expanding repertoire of latin music gathered over the years. His love for the Latin American culture is very evident in the way he shares life, passion and music at events and venues around the world, and he shows no signs of stopping.
Since 2006, DJ SGF has been spining Latin music for Fun4U Production which is a latin dance and party organizer in Hong Kong, and for Xperience, a club which owes part of their thanks to him for their honourable title as the "best salsa venue in Hong Kong" time and time again. Most of DJ SGF's rhythms and tunes hail from the Latin American countries he has been to, with focuses on Salsa, Mambo, Bachata, Merengue, Latin Jazz, Kizomba and Zouk - just to name a few. We did a short but fun interview him on his life in Hong Kong and as a DJ.
What got you interested in Latin music in the first place?
The blend of cultures and religions, colors and sounds. I love Latin music, his influences mixing Spanish, French, African ... If all the musics of the world, had to make an appointment, it would inevitably Latin America. (Specially for me, Cuba, Colombia, Dominican Republic...)
What kind of music styles you like the most?
Tropical Latin Music (Salsa, Dura, Clásica, Romántica, Mambo, Bachata, Merengue, Son, Timba) and Kizomba, Zouk, Latin Jazz, House, Electro and Hip Hop.
Who are the DJs or musicians that have impacted your music mixes?
My musical influences are from the rhythms of Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, New York, Africa. As a DJ, our greatest satisfaction comes from sharing our passion and our music with others. Music has no gender, no religion, no race and no borders.
What do you like best about your job so far? Which is the best event you have done DJ in?
The best part of my job is to bring happiness to people. It is very hard to single out one event as the best one, but so far for 2013, my best event has been working at Armani Prive, Hong Kong, where a beautiful rooftop and skyline was transformed into a wonderful latin party.
You have travelled to a lot of places and demonstrated your skills. Which countries have impressed you the most in terms of reception towards Latin music?
Outside of Latin America, Hong Kong has really impressed me.
Since you have lived in Latin America before, how do you find it and what can you recommend to those who are thinking of exploring or moving there?
After my first trip to Latin America. Back in France, I had only one desire: to return. Latin America, a magnificent heritage, incredible cultures, peoples welcoming. And as Colombians say: ''In Colombia, the only risk is wanting to stay''.
When and why did you decide to move to Hong Kong? What is the impression of the latin dance scene here?
I came to Hong Kong in 2000. I have no regrets, I love Hong Kong, I love Asia! The general standard of salsa dancing has improved over the years. We have salsa almost every night here, and our annual salsa festival has been growing yearly. Our dancers are some of the most open and friendly dancers in the world.
What are some of the challenges of living as a being an ambassador of latin music in HK?
The challenges of living in Hong Kong as a promoter of the Latin American culture, is to contribute in the opening of the Latin music to the Chinese culture.
What are some of the things you like to do in Hong Kong?
We have a great landscape, from the beach to the mountains, and a tremendous variety of local and international restaurants. I enjoy listening to music of course, relaxing on the beach, and tasting local delicacies as often as possible.
Your next course of plan after Hong Kong in 5 years time?
In 5 years, I think I would still be in Hong Kong and happy to continue spinning my music. I also hope we have more dancers and promoters from South America, Europe, Australia and USA to create stronger bonds with Asia.
If you were not a DJ, what would you do?
Be a traveller or discoverer.
Written by Maria Fung
http://www.vidadelatinos.com
Published on Vida De Latinos - Connecting You to Latin America (http://www.vidadelatinos.com)
Source URL: http://www.vidadelatinos.com/article/spinning-latin-tunes-hk
(01 April 2013)
Photo by ALI G. www.aligstudios.com
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