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Seamus Haji - Biography
Seamus Haji, a dashing Capricorn of Irish-Indian descent (that explains the name then!), is one of the UKs most influential and internationally acclaimed Dance Music remixer/producer/DJs. He kicked off the new decade in fine style with No 1 UK Club Chart “Good Times” – his Chic remake alongside Mark Knight and Funkagenda as well as a few priority major label remixes for the likes of Estelle, Jamiroquai and Lock Essiene and the release of his brand new Big Love compilation.
Best known latterly for his hit remake of “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life” which was Top 15 in the UK National Chart and of course that remix of Booty Luv’s “Boogie 2Nite” which peaked at number 2, he unwittingly spawned the electro house sound which went on to become ubiquitous, often imitated but arguably never bettered.
His remixes retain a mark of quality, signature chords exuding warmth, and always respecting the vocal whether it be R&B royalty such as Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Brandy; indie/rock/pop such as Ting Tings, Moby, Just Jack, Mika or straight-up dance such as Calvin Harris, Axwell, Roisin Murphy.
His own productions (including those alongside sometime partner Paul Emanuel) are well-known global dancefloor staples from ‘Weekend’ to ‘Take Me Away’ and recent collaborations with Kaskade and up&coming French producer Romain Curtis have been signed to respected US labels Ultra and Strictly Rhythm respectively.
The last few years have also seen him diversify and apply his skills to making both broadcast and stadium music for a number of UEFA international football championships as well as the worldwide UEFA ‘Respect’ campaign.
As a DJ, he plays all over the world from Moscow to Manchester, Birmingham to Buenos Aires, Singapore to South London! He wows with technical wizardry and, a previous official ambassador for Pioneer CDJs, takes DJ skills very seriously. Seamus is also much in demand for radio mixes and compilations and highlights include two Radio 1 Essential Mixes, and two exclusive Sessions releases for Ministry of Sound, a number for Defected and even Men’s Health magazine!
He will always say that he is first & foremost a DJ and that everything else followed. From the tender age of 16 playing hip hop and soul for infamous London Sound Systems, he was an instant crowd-pleaser on account of his technique and selection. This still applies and for him, nothing beats the adrenalin of thousands of people dancing in rhapsody to his music.
Seamus Haji’s experience is all part of the mix. He has been involved in nearly all aspects of the Music Business from working in London’s most influential black music and dance music record shops to A&Ring for Slip’n’Slide Records and then Defected Records to interviewing and reviewing for seminal Dance Music publications such as Muzik Magazine, Update, DJ Mag, Touch and Echoes and of course, de rigueur stints on pirate radio. Since 2002 he has also been at the helm of his own much-respected house music label, Big Love (also including sister imprints Big Love Digital and Soul Love) for which he has either A&R’d, produced, remixed (or all three) nearly one hundred singles and mixed five compilations.
It was this experience that led to legendary US house label Strictly Rhythm asking Seamus to be Head of A&R in 2011. He hosts their International radio show and podcast (which recently peaked in the top 10 favourites on itunes) and he’s just mixed his first compilation, Strictly Summer for the label and also has a couple of releases in the pipeline.
With a relentless schedule across all strands of his career, he is living contradiction of those who insist that men can’t multi-task!
Links
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/seamushajifanpage