LA based producer Wuki has been setting dance floors on fire for years. Whether it’s hard-hitting originals, epic edits, wild bootlegs or official remixes, when you see Wuki’s name on a song you know it’ll get you dancing. His talent has not gone unrecognized with releases on OWSLA, Fool’s Gold and more. He’s fresh off a crazy B2B set with QUIX at Ultra and will be playing the Heineken House at Coachella this weekend and next. Wuki’s star is currently burning brighter than ever. In addition to playing some of the biggest festivals out, he’s also on the brink of launching his own record label WUKILEAKS which will be the home for his upcoming EP Wukipedia Vol 1. We caught up with Wuki for an exclusive interview to talk about the label, his upcoming EP, making money as an artist and more. He also tells us who he’d love to form a supergroup with, the key ingredients to his sets and even talks about A.I. Read the full interview below and be sure to check him out at Coachella if you’re headed there!
Can you tell us a little bit about Wukipedia, Vol 1? What’s the sound you’re striving for? When can we expect it?
Wukipedia Vol. 1 is an EP of 2 originals and 1 remix I am releasing over the next month or so. The vibe I am striving for is for fun, booty-shaking, bass music that puts a smile on your face. I recruited some really cool artists and can’t wait to get it out there.
The industry is changing, more and faster everyday, my goal is to always be able to adapt and deliver.
You recently announced the launch of your new label WUKILEAKS. Do you remember the specific moment that you decided you wanted to start a label? What’s your goal as a label head?
I noticed the response I was getting from my bootlegs and wanted to use it as a platform for my original music as well. With a massive original catalog, the idea of shopping all the tunes was pretty daunting. Although labels can be super powerful, they tend to have a lot of red tape, and working with their timelines can be a struggle. I think we’re seeing a trend of artists putting music out on their own because you have a lot of freedom and room to explore ways to get your music to your fans. The industry is changing, more and faster everyday, my goal is to always be able to adapt and deliver.
If your DJ sets were a recipe what would the key ingredients be?
Fun, 808s, silly vocals, and BASS!!!
Now that Swedish House Mafia are back together, the idea of supergroups is top of mind. What two artists would you team up with if you were going to form your own supergroup?
Missy Elliot and TNGHT.
In previous interviews you’ve mentioned the importance of having fun when creating music. How do you bring the fun back to producing if you hit a rut?
You’re not always going to write a massive hit in a session, it doesn’t matter, you have to realize that you got into music BECAUSE it’s fun, then things will become clearer.
Like it or not, part of the job of an artist is also to be creative how we generate income.
You’ve got some of the biggest edits and bootlegs out and your reputation just keeps getting stronger. Are you coming for Benzi’s crown?
Benzi is my boy, I don’t think I can ever take the crown. TBH, its not a competition, I just look at it as a way to be creative with edits, and ask myself “how can I blow peoples minds?”
On Willy Joy’s podcast you blatantly said that music is free now. Are there any new ways artists can make money aside from the standard routes?
100%, more ways than ever now. Think of all the media out there, shows/movies/games/whatever. There is exponentially more content out now that needs music. Besides that, you can stream on twitch, make sample packs, do remixes…there’s just more of everything. Like it or not, part of the job of an artist is also to be creative how we generate income.
A.I. is definitely going to be a huge factor in our lifetimes. I’m worried they will make better edits than me.
You’ve spoken about crypto currency in past interviews. Are there any other technologies on the horizon that excite you?
Yea I am kind of a future junkie. I read/listen to a lot of content about this stuff. A.I. is definitely going to be a huge factor in our lifetimes. I’m worried they will make better edits than me.
You’ve released quite a few booty loving anthems. Do you a have a personal fascination or is it strictly musical?
Who doesn’t love to shake their booty? To me, shaking your booty is directly correlated with dancing. So it’s for everyone, boys and girls, SHAKE DAT ASS!
I genuinely care about the dance music scene and I think it’s a beautiful, positive community we can build together.
Any final thoughts for your fans?
I want to care about the people that care about me. That’s what Wukileaks is. Besides my label, I want it to be my group of fans that really give a shit about me. I genuinely care about the dance music scene and I think it’s a beautiful, positive community we can build together.
