R3HAB is no stranger during a good night out. Whether it's an unforgettable festival you've been waiting months for or a spontaneous night out, you've definitely had the renowned DJ and producer soundtrack some part of your weekend nights. 

The Morrocan-Dutch DJ is one of the top electronic music acts in the world, known for his scintillating remixes and exhilarating tracks. But beyond all the bright, flashing lights of the world's most sought-out festival stages and the star-studded list of collaborators he has under his belt, R3HAB's heart-pumping music is fueled by something much deeper.

"Producing and DJing is what I get the most energy from. I would still do both even if I hadn’t reached this level. At the end of the day, this is an inner motivation, fueled by the love for music and sharing that energy with people across the globe," R3HAB tells Bandwagon. 

Ahead of his highly anticipated return to Asia as part of the lineup for Singapore's HYPEWORLD, Bandwagon caught up with R3HAB about staying motivated, his creative process, and venturing into the world of K-pop. 

Walk us through what your creative process looks like. How do you typically go about reimaging a song to take your signature sound?

I’ve built my life around dance music, so I’ve learned to maximize my time around creating. I always have a lot of ideas, most don’t even see the light, but I always use my travel time to start concepts. Being able to work with so many other artists helps, so I constantly stay inspired by what they’re doing. It motivates me to keep pace. If you work hard towards achieving your goals, everything else becomes easier to get. I also like flipping older records, which brings me back to my early days as a DJ. It's always fun to bring the familiarity of an older record to the current moment.

In your own words, what makes a ‘R3HAB Remix’ stand out?

Remixing feels like another form of collaboration to me, so maybe that's an essential aspect of it. It's important to not only add my signature sound but also keep it true to the author's original vision, as well as make sure that they understand my approach before I finish.

You’ve been working with a lot of K-pop acts like (G)I-DLE, EXO, and TWICE, what has the experience been like?

Always excellent. I have a great love for K-pop and really admire the artists who have created this vibrant and globally revered music culture. I'm grateful to have been invited in and I value each record I've collaborated on. You know it won't be long before another drops. 

You’ve been doing music for over a decade. Throughout it all, how do you maintain and sustain your passion for what you do?

First, you have to realize that producing music and performing is more than just a job. Producing and DJing is what I get the most energy from, so it's a very natural way to spend my time. I would still do both even if I hadn’t reached this level. At the end of the day, this is an inner motivation, fueled by the love for music and sharing that energy with people across the globe.

 

 

 

 

 

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What are you most looking forward to performing at HYPEWORLD?

The energy! There's no place like Singapore.

What else can we expect from R3HAB?

I have so many exciting releases lined up for the rest of the year — a great mix of old and new ideas, and familiar and surprising collaborations. Stay tuned!

HYPEWORLD is happening from 22 to 23 October at Gardens By The Bay's The Meadow. Get your tickets here.