Entrevista MrDJ

Ice MC for MrDJ

MrDj Interview (December 2004)

If we say � dreadlocks, kung fu rap parts and �'boom digidigidigi boom� everyone will know we're talking about Ice MC - one of the most memorable eurodance performers in the 90's. As one of the early Robyx discoveries Ice MC was and still is an icon of that period selling millions of albums and singles also topping the charts across the world. He was one of the few European artists that impressed American crowd at that time and one of the main protagonists of the DWA sound.

Since we know very little about this man from UK and since he released a new single and is working on a brand new album together with Robyx we are very happy to present you with a Master DWA performer alongside the Master DWA producer. Ice MC exclusively for MRDJ!

Please tell us your full name, date and place of birth and your current residence...
IAN CAMPBELL, born in Nottingham (UK), the 22nd of March 1968, living there.

How did you get the nickname Ice and by whome?
It comes from my initials: Ian Campbell Esquire.

Tell us a bit how you came in contact with music, and how did it happened that you came in Italy in 1980?
I started as a rapper and came in Italy to do a tour of breakdance in some Italian clubs

How and when did you and Robyx met?
Robyx was looking for a rapper and a friend introduced me to him

You started to work as a dj and breakdance teacher in Italy - is that correct!
No, as breakdance artist.

In 1989 you made the first production �Easy� with Robyx and it was immediately a big hit! Even in the USA! Tell us something about that!
It was recorded in a day, soooo quickly!!!! After a couple of months I was on top of all European charts.Incredible!

The first album followed shorty � also with big success?
Yes, the second single CINEMA was no. 1 in France for months!

In 1993 you released �Take Away The Colour� with Robyx and Alexia on vocals � tell us something about that. How did you meet Alexia and how would you describe her!
Robyx introduced Alexia to me. She was very nice and talented. She was like a sister for me in the following years.

Did you write the text for your raps then?
Yes, Robyx usually writes music and words of choruses, while I do the rap parts.

In that time you got that Bob Marley Jamaican look! Back to the roots or just a bit of a new styling?
I come from Jamaican parents, so it is like I appear if I do not cut my hair

�It's A Rainy Day�, Take Away The Colour� and �Think About The Way� were large hits in Europe and so was �Ice'n Green� album?
Yes, the album sold over one million copies, I was very famous everywhere.

You recorded a single with another famous DWA artist Double You � is that correct? Which one?
I did a little part of rap on his song �Run to me�.

A lot of groups copied your music and style � what did you think about it then and what do you think about it now (for example: we have the phenomenon of Benny Benassi sound today and a lot of groups and performers that are copying that sound) 
Everytime you have a success in music, a lot of people try to copy your ideas.
I think Robyx is one of the most copied producers of the last 20 years

In 1995 there was a conflict with Robyx so you went to work with Masterboy and Polydor label in Germany! Tell us what happened if the question is not to personal?
I wanted to change my style so I broke my contract with ROBYX and signed a deal with Polydor. After that, Polydor didn't want to take risks to change and forced me to work with Masterboy that were copying what Robyx created. So at the end I did a poor copy of what I did at the beginning. I did that mistake because influenced from people that were really inexperienced

You've had a couple of succesful singles on the Dreadatour album in 1996?
Yes but little success, not like before.

Who is Valentina Ducros?
A very close friend.

After 1997 we lost track of you � what were you doing till today?
I went back to UK and left music business for a while.

How come that you started to work together with Robyx again and are you two OK now?
Robyx is a very honest and nice person. After the Masterboy album I met him and became friends again.We have a great respect to each other right now.

Many eurodance lovers think that your tracks from 1993-1995 were the best what this era had to offer! Comments?
They are right! I was crazy to think to change that style at that time.

You visited a lot of places and countries in the 90's on your shows! Any favourites! Have you ever been in Slovenia?
I like all countries and Slovenia too. I especially love Brazil, it's fantastic! I was in Slovenia to make shows.

What do you think are the key elements that make a great track?
A catchy chorus and a strong hook ('boom digidigidigi boom').

What in your opinion has changed in producing music and entertaining the crowd since the 90's and today?
Music of today is more cold than before. During 90's people were more happy to go to the discotheques! It is like we lose energies today.

You came back this year and releeased a single �It's A Miracle� under Time! It's more of a house track! Do you think this genre fits you better today or did you decide to do that track because of people in Italy demand that kind of music? How sang the female vocals on �It's a Miracle�?
Robyx and I, we tried to do a new vision of what we did before, but always with Euro 80's influences. Vocals are from an unknown Italian singer, Sara.

Do you have contact with other former DWA artists today and if yes � which ones?
Sorry, but living in UK I have no occasion to see any of the DWA friends.

What is your favourite track at the moment?
EMINEM, I like everything he does

What will be the future production from Ice MC? Are you satisfied with �It's a Miracle� and will you stick to that concept in the future?
I recorded an album with a lot of different songs. You'll be surprised listening the whole project then.

Will there be some collaboration with other artists?
Yes, there are two other female singers on it . One is Michelle Weeks, who perform the next single MY WORLD.

How would you describe the state of the dance scene in Europe! Is it good or bad and how was that in the 90's?
Now it's a little bit strange. There is not the same sound everywhere in Europe, as in the  past. I don't like that. During 90's it was more funny and I met the same artists from Spain to Germany, from Russia to Slovenia.

Tell us a bit about what is Ice Mc doing in his spare time! Do you have a family! Any special hobbies or interests?
I like painting, it is so old and in the meantime so new... Yes, I have a family and a newborn baby named Dante

Any special messages to Mister Deejay visitors & fans and to all the Slovenian party people?
It's my world, it's my life, going crazy till the morning light!!! PEACE!

MrDJ on-line, December 2004