Benny Benassi Shares New Music + Looks Back To His Roots In Exclusive Interview

Benny Benassi is one the most iconic names in the history of Dance Music. The culprit of the giant party anthem “Satisfaction,” the producer has managed to sustain a memorable career living his life to the fullest.

The producer has seen this community go through its many phases. He’s been through the ups and downs. If you could think of anyone knowledgeable, you’d come to Benny. On the trails of his latest single “Everybody Needs A Kiss” with SOFI TUKKER, we managed to chat with the legend himself.

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”Satisfaction” is one of the most iconic records in all of music honestly, could you give us a bit of insight on how that record came together?

The credit goes to my cousin Alle, he wrote the riff which was inspired by the sound of car horns he heard from a hotel window which he configured into that pattern. Amazing! Then we worked together in the studio finishing it off and adding the vocal lines. We thought it would do well in clubs but never imagined it would be such a big crossover record. 

What was the scene like for you when you first started DJing professionally?

I grew up listening to disco in Italy, so my roots started there, and my earliest inspirations were eighties electro-pop. I started my career in the 90s as a house DJ in a small club in Italy, in a town called Reggio Emilia, which has an amazing output of Italian house productions. There was already a scene present, but when I started out you were either a trance deejay, a techno deejay or a house deejay – that’s all changed. But I’ve always loved the club culture and the variety in the music, in the scene.

How hard has it been for you to adapt musically over the years as the sound of electronic music continues to change?

Evolution is natural, it happens with everything and being able to be progressive and still have my signature house sound means that we’re producing great music. Whenever I finish a track in the studio with my team, the first question is – does it sound like a Benny Benassi record? It has to feel right. And if a record isn’t me, I don’t want to release it even if it’s very “today”. So, if I’m lucky, my records all end up sounding like me even though they inevitably absorb what’s happening around us. 

Over the course of your career, you’ve picked up some of the most recognizable accolades in music. What is something you still wish to achieve musically that not many people would be able to guess?

I’d love to work with Bono from U2! It would be a dream come true. I’m a huge fan. Bono, if you’re reading this, my phone number is………

With that said, you would agree with me when I say you’ve done quite a bit of traveling in your life right? haha So what about personal goals you still wish to achieve? What remains on your bucket list?

I have a few dreams left but they are top secret!

You’ve been in the game since the late 80’s, do you still get nervous before playing a show or do you still make mistakes?

I feel comfortable in the booth because I am passionate about what I do and generally can’t wait to spin, so I wouldn’t say I’m nervous, but I am very emotional. I look for the energy in the room or at the festival, I get in touch with my own energy and try to connect. I do still occasionally find myself in a situation where what I’m doing doesn’t seem to connect with the dance floor and so, in a sense, maybe I’m making mistakes or maybe for some reason the people there just want something different from what I do. But luckily it happens very, very rarely!

What are some of your favorite festivals or clubs to play in?

Pacha and Ushuaia in Ibiza, Ministry of Sound in London are some of my favourites, and most festivals… Tomorrowland is great, they put a lot of effort into the production and the fans come from all over.

What can we expect from you going forward?

A lot of touring, so many festivals all over Europe and North America and some more music I’m really stoked about. You will have to wait and see! For now, I am just excited to release “Everybody Needs a Kiss” with Sofi Tukker. 

Benny Benassi & Sofi Tukker – Everybody Needs A Kiss

Benny Benassi Shares New Music + Looks Back To His Roots In Exclusive Interview