I used to work at a record store. One day, I was at the returns counter (when people were still buying CDs and able to return them) and a customer came to return the David Guetta - Just a Little More Love album. She said it was "too much house" and didn't like that. In my head I said to myself, I like house, I need to check this out. I skimmed through listening to the album, recognizing "Just A Little More Love." I realized later that it was the Wally Lopez remix that I had heard before. I took the album home, and listened to it. There were some stand out tracks, I couldn't believe there was a House song talking about food. It was kitsch and I liked it!
I went back to the CD racks and saw the F*ck Me I'm Famous compilations. I then took to the internet to see what that was all about. Cathy and David Guetta have been a it, building the F*ck Me I'm Famous brand for a long time now. Parties, merchandising are just part of the brand. And it was a chance meeting with Kelly Rowland that changed Guetta's life forever. Their collaboration on "When Love Takes Over" sparked an interest in the urban community for their artists to unite with producers of a different sound.
It has been done before. RUN D.M.C. vs Jason Nevins comes to mind. But the propensity to which it has emerged is staggering. And has not all been well received.
Many people have criticised Guetta for "selling out." I think his crossover album, "One Love" did a great job of maintaining a house sound and combining an urban element to it. However, some of the tracks on disc one of "Nothing But the Beat" did feel rushed. Disc two was Guetta's attempt to answer the critics, saying that he's deeply planted in the House community. A lot of the tracks seemed reminiscent of Daft Punk, less of the David Guetta I knew from early 2000. You cannot blame him, as people he knew were turning their backs on him, he wanted to prove himself.
Bob Sinclar was probably the first of the Frenchman to go this route. Love Generation, a World Cup football anthem, made him recognized internationally. Not just in Europe where his sound had been emanating for awhile. Martin Solveig exploded in North America when collaborating with Canada's Dragonette, about a year or so after "One Love" went global. These three names were also part of a collective known as Africanism All Stars. Comprised of mostly French producers, they brought tribal and world beats to the forefront in their brand of house music, and it was infectious. But these efforts are under-appreciated as most people want to dwell on the fact that they have "sold out."
David Guetta recently made public (and free) a documentary along with Burn Studios to give a glimpse into his life and the course it has taken. You see Cathy Guetta brought to tears as she recounts how far they have come. It features electronic greats and giants David Morales, Josh Wink, Fatboy Slim, 2ManyDJs, Pete Tong, Martin Solveig, Laidback Luke, Sharam, Laurent Garnier, as well as relative newcomers Afrojack, Avicii and Sidney Samson. There is also a slew of urban artists who have collaborated with Guetta who sing his praises. With those heavyweights willing to give their name to the documentary, you would think that its credibility would be solidified.
But the peer critics still reared their ugly heads, taking to social media to express their displeasure. Mr. Oizo, also a French electronic artist, stated:
He also weighed in on the DJ Sneak vs SHM row:
If you know Oizo, then you know he is an extremely talented producer, not just of music, but also film. He has a "wacky" take on life, and likes to display the human condition in its strangest form. I've said it once, I'll say it again, it makes me sad to see fellow artists criticizing each other instead of supporting each other. Or just keeping quiet for that matter. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. You can say you don't like it. But there is no need to try to get others on board. Especially sad is that they are all fellow Frenchman. I've see Busy P and Brodinski having civil conversations with Guetta. Mr. Oizo is part of that French electro collective. So is "So Me," the talented director who shot the video to Alphabeat.
David Guetta is not an idiot. He can identify talent and enlisted So Me, who is part of the Ed Banger crew who are likely very much against "being commercial." But at the end of the day, its about the artistry, and I commend So Me for taking on the project. And the video looks awesome.
The motto here is not keep your friends close your enemies closer, its be nice to everyone cause you never know who you will need down the road.
Max Graham and a few other DJs posted this picture as it became an internet meme. Its a take on the fact that he does not actually DJ. Especially when he appears on live TV. I think its ridiculous for anyone to think that on these live performances, you could coordinate DJing and dancers, lights and effects. Of course he's gonna go on there and not actually DJ. And if people think that he has never deejayed, that is just a bold face lie because he's been in the industry for more than 25 years. You couldn't possibly get that far ahead faking the whole time.
Other French DJs like Sebastien Leger, and other DJs in general have vocalized their strong opinions against commercial house, and against Guetta. But if his music is appealing and brings joy to some, why try to eat him like a pack of hungry wolves. You want a piece of the pie? Go and get it. Earn it and own it.
David Guetta, in every interview and sound bite I have seen/heard, has been nothing but gracious, humble and thankful for where he has come. And if he sleeps in a pile of money, more power to him.
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