Head of Content
Tuff Questions is our series where we ask artists a selection of incredibly difficult questions.
Sitting in the Tuff Questions hot seat this week is North London producer, Shift K3Y.
One of the freshest producers of recent years, Shift K3Y has written an incredible array of No.1 Singles for Tinie Tempah, Zara Larsson and Jess Glynne along with working with verified legends such as Chaka Khan.
The prolific producer has recently signed a deal with Positiva and worked with Becky hill on "Better Off Without You" and Karen Harding on "Morning". Shif K3Y has forged a reputation for mixing credible underground productions with crossover success, but what was the first record he bought with his own money?
MoS: Describe your press shot in five words or less
Shift K3Y: Red light district but make it fashion.
House or Techno?
It’s gotta be house for me always. Need me some vocals!
If House is a spiritual thing, who is its prophet?
Carl Cox.
What does your music smell like?
Freshly baked bread on a Sunday morning.
What was the first song/album you bought with your own money?
Usher’s “Confessions”
What was your first email address?
Louj555@hotmail.co.uk this was also my XBOX name.
What would you say in your tinder bio?
If you like to boogie with a boujie guy then swipe right.
Best way to cure a hangover?
A quality fry-up or Maccy Dees with large coke - the Maccys is always a winner.
What song would be your wrestling entrance theme?
Claude Debussy - "Clair de Lune"
Who’s the biggest party animal in dance music?
Of my experience this would be Chris Lorenzo.
You can only ever DJ B2B with one other person for the rest of your life, who is it?
Calvin Harris.
You can only ever play one record again for the rest of your life - what is it?
Baby Shark.
Who is your celebrity crush?
Currently Doja Cat.
If you could live in any other place and time, when and where would you pick?
1800’s France, so I could rock out on the harpsichord, and play some romantic tech house vibes.
Is a hotdog a sandwich?
No, it’s a hotdog.
Teetotal or tearing it up?
Currently, for me, it’s teetotal, which means four G&T’s every day.
Favourite production? (pick one) lazers, disco ball, strobe, Co2, LED screen, confetti, foam, nothing or other.
I’d go with the 4D Eric Prydz style production. Too epic.
You can only wear one colour for the rest of your life, black is not an option, what colour do you choose?
Tie-dye.
What’s the best moment you’ve had on a dancefloor?
Had to be watching EZ do the Bababa Bababa Bababa Bayyyybeh Live at V Fest.
What job would you do if you weren’t a musician?
Food and cocktails critic.
Would you rather all your burps smell of eggs, or have a green cloud appear when you fart?
That’s a tricky one but probably the green cloud so at least you can leave the room when you fart, and it would just leave a green cloud in the other room.
What’s your biggest non-musical interest?
Watching movies.
You’re forming a cheesy pop group in the vein of 5ive, Steps, Spice Girls etc. You must all sing and do choreographed dance routines. Which other 3 DJs do you want in your band?
AC Slater, Wax Motif and Taiki Nulight. I would do all the singing they would just lip-sync and dance.
6 = 2(x+2) what is x?
X is Dogecoin.
What’s your secret weapon to rescue a dancefloor?
Anti Up - "Hey Pablo"
Strangest / funniest thing you’ve seen in a club?
Someone pissing in the sink. I’ve been fortunate to have witnessed this a couple times.
What single thing would make your life better?
If Covid-19 didn’t exist.
If you had your own nightclub, what would you call it, and what’s the dress code?
The Pacific Ocean, everyone would have to dress up as rare fish.
Why do lots of DJs wear masks? What’s the deal with that?
They are scared that everyone will realise that they are just normal human beings.
Most regrettable track you’ve dropped in a set?
No regrets! Every song is a classic...
What’s the most expensive thing you own?
I own a Fender Rhodes electric piano that was once played by Stevie Wonder!
Where is the strangest place you’ve DJed?
Silent discos are always a bit bouky.
One piece of advice you would give your younger self?
Keep going! You’ll never know the limits to where hard work will get you!
Where’s the afters?
Mine obviously… Come on now!