Crackin' with Dixie
Aussie Mixtape King Dixie has dropped his brand new track, ‘Crackin’ Like Dat.’ This tune, featuring the DJ/Producer (and Time Traveller) alongside the one and only Snoop Dogg, is already climbing the charts globally. We had a chat with Dixie to find out what it’s like to collaborate with one of music’s biggest names, who else he has on his collab wish list, and his thoughts on being called the “Mixtape King.”
How do you describe the music you make for those who haven’t heard your releases before?
Eclectic! I don't like to stick to just one genre or style - I get bored doing the same thing over and over, so if I get an idea in my head I'll give it a shot, and more often than not it works out.
So you might hear me do something tech house, and then something psytrance influenced, and then funky bass house, and then something with an electro or hard techno vibe. I like to be creative and try new things - and sometimes people think I'm nuts for trying it, but I like to change it up and keep things interesting.
“I’ve been a Snoop Dogg fan since I was 10 years old, and when the opportunity came up to have a feature vocal from him on one of my tracks, I absolutely jumped at the chance”
Dixie, you've just dropped your brand new track ‘Crackin’ Like Dat.’ Where did the idea for the song come from?
I've been a Snoop Dogg fan since I was 10 years old, and when the opportunity came up to have a feature vocal from him on one of my tracks, I absolutely jumped at the chance. I just wanted to do something fun and bumpy that people could vibe to. My people spoke to his people's, people's, people and before you knew it this track was born
Will the song feature on an album or is it a stand-alone release?
It's just a single release - I've been toying with the idea of working on an album, but right now it's not the right time.
“for years I’ve wanted to work with one of the most legendary rappers from the Balkans, Slatkaristika. I think we could make something really cool if we combined his vocals with my beats.”
Who’s up next on your collab wish list?
I've got a new track coming out soon on 2Dutch Records with Messy Jessie, which is a fun little electro house banger, and Bombs Away and I have been working on a new collab, but it's still in the early stages at the moment.
Beyond that, I'd love to be able to work with someone like Flo Rida or Pitbull and smash out a party banger, hopefully, one day we can make something like that happen.
Also, for years I've wanted to work with one of the most legendary rappers from the Balkans, Slatkaristika. I think we could make something really cool if we combined his vocals with my beats.
You're referred to as Australia’s Mixtape King, how does that title sit with you?
I mean, yeah, I'm pretty damn good at mixtapes!
It's been a while since I put one out now that you mention it…
How does the remix process differ from making your original music? Do you have a preference?
Remixes are simpler because you already have a framework in which you have to operate, so you can just work within the particular parameters of the existing track.
How do you decide which tracks you are going to remix?
Usually, it's cause I'll hear a track and wish one little thing was different (usually so I can play it in my sets), so I'll change that little thing, then another, and another, and before I know it I've redone the whole song!
How did you get your start in music?
When I was 12 I started screwing around with two tape decks, and then quickly moved to two old ass belt drive turntables, and just fell in love with it.
From there I started learning how to edit waveforms on PC, back then with a program called SoundForge, and I just never stopped.
What’s been the best and worst parts of your journey so far in the industry?
The best has been meeting my wife, who originally was a fan at a gig!
And also being able to travel around the world to cities and towns I normally never would have gone to.
Music has definitely taken me to some crazy places I never even knew existed.
“I definitely want to be playing at more festivals in the future...”
We would love to see you on the lineups of our many electronic festivals, is this something we can look forward to in the future or is the festival circuit, not your jam?
I definitely want to be playing at more festivals in the future...
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout-out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
My mum! She's always the first one to share my new song releases, post about it, and tell all her friends - she's probably my biggest promoter!
Do you have a message for all the Dixie fans and supporters?
Dixie fans and supporters! To all three of you, thank you so much for streaming my tunes and sharing them, using them in your videos, everything!
But seriously, the response I've had in the past 12 months to my tunes has been nothing short of astounding, and I've definitely gained a fair amount of new fans in that time.
I hope that I can keep delivering the bangers to you and that you'll stick around and hopefully see you guys in the front row at a show soon!
Upcoming Shows
16/02 – 29th Apartment, Melbourne, Victoria
26/04 – Mieplace Nightclub, Gladstone, Queensland
