DJ Fenix, the Russian DJ who has been dubbed the country’s most eligible bachelor, was tapped to play for Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin. earning him the moniker “Putin’s DJ.”

DJ Fenix Exclusive

DJ Fenix, whose real name is Alex Mamonov, admits he was both excited and nervous for the performance, as he was making history as the first DJ to perform at the Kremlin. It was definitely a changeup for Fenix, who’s accustomed to having a younger, more casual crowd at his gigs around the world.

“I was nervous before the show, of course, because I was the first DJ who played at the Kremlin, but I’m glad about this title. It’s not like my reputation, it’s like a title,” Fenix told uInterview exclusively. “It’s a really serious thing for artists because normally clubs and festivals, it’s like every week like Friday and Saturday I have gigs worldwide, but Kremlin, it’s a serious place. I put a little bit of pop [at the Kremlin performance], because it’s not only young people. The main difference is that there are chairs; everybody sits in chairs.”

Fenix On Mikhail Prokhorov

Among those Russian oligarchs present at Fenix’s Kremlin gig was billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov. Though his presence may have rattled some performers, DJ Fenix has played for Prokhorov many times in the past, and even knows his favorite song.

“He really enjoys and loves music. I can say that’s good because I play for him sometimes, because he invites me for some official parties and it’s really good,” Fenix revealed. “He likes more folk music and Russian music. I have a big collection for Mikhail and he likes Led Zeppelin, the Beatles and UFO’s “Belladona” – it’s Mikhail’s favorite song.”

Fenix’s Music, Bachelor Status

As for the DJ’s own tastes, he’s particularly fond of AC/DC and listens to less house music than one might imagine for a rising EDM star. Working on his personal style to usher in a new phase of the genre, he does get some inspiration from contemporaries like David Guetta, Deadmau5 and Skrillex.

“I really like how David Guetta does commercial things like sponsorships, music hits, and pop songs for charts, and I really like what guys like Armin van Buren can do with global things,” Fenix said. “I like Deadmau5, because it’s really musical, and it has interesting harmonies, and I really like what Skrillex does because it’s a young style but it’s really powerful and it’s huge.”

Aside from his music, DJ Fenix has also become something of a celebrity after receiving the title of Russia’s Most Eligible Bachelor from Cosmo magazine, which Fenix admits to enjoying. “It’s very funny; it’s very hard work for me. I have more fans from the girls’ side. It’s very good,” he admitted. “It’s like 8th of March [International Women’s Day] in the club and all girls. It’s very good.”

 

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Q: What was it like playing at the Kremlin in front of Vladimir Putin? -

I was excited about this because I was the first DJ who played at the Kremlin and created a show at the Kremlin. It was good; it was interesting. I was nervous before the show, of course, because I was the first DJ who played at the Kremlin, but I’m glad about this title. It’s not like my reputation, it’s like a title, because I am a musician, but I have this title. For me, it’s fun and good. It’s a really serious thing for artists because normally clubs and festivals, it’s like every week like Friday and Saturday I have gigs worldwide, but Kremlin, it’s a serious place.

Q: Did you change up your style for the Kremlin performance? -

Yeah, I put a little bit of pop, because it’s not only young people. The main difference is that there are chairs; everybody sits in chairs. When I started to play, some people stood up and started to dance, and my hip-hop fans started to do like this [waves hands in the air] because it’s the dance music and their hands moved really fast because that’s what they do in hip-hop. It was really funny.

Q: What was it like performing for billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov? -

He’s a very good guy, he’s a really good sport, and he really enjoys and loves music. I can say that’s good because I play for him sometimes, because he invites me for some official parties and it’s really good. He likes more folk music and Russian music. I have a big collection for Mikhail and he likes Led Zeppelin, the Beatles and UFO’s “Belladona” – it’s Mikhail’s favorite song.

Q: How do you describe your style of music? -

I’m a musician, that’s why I write my music and I am working into Progressive House Music, which is music for festivals and clubs. It’s dance music. The difference is, I try to find some special sound for me, like every musician, which is very difficult. People say Benny Benassi, his bass line is very different, and everybody says, “Wow, that’s Benny Benassi.” I try to find my special sound, which of course is different, but normally, I say I want to be like part of the new generation of EDM music. I work in the studio every day; I work for my new sound everyday.

Q: What artists do you take inspiration from? -

I really like how David Guetta does commercial things like sponsorships, music hits, and pop songs for charts, and I really like what guys like Armin van Buren can do with global things. I like Deadmau5, because it’s really musical, and it has interesting harmonies, and I really like what Skrillex does because it’s a young style but it’s really powerful and it’s huge. Normally, I try to find something new and of course I check on what happens with different artists, but for me it’s very funny. I still listen to AC/DC, I love AC/DC, I have all of AC/DC’s albums, including the last one Rock or Bust. I already have it. I bought it on iTunes. I listen to it more than house music.

Q: Has recent tension between the US and Russia affected your work? -

Music is not like politics. I travel too much and I don’t stop my gigs, I don’t stop my studio work. I have friends, musician friends, from every country. I think for musicians, it’s not like politics and I’m excited because I’m a musician and not a politician.

Q: How does it feel to be named Russia’s ‘Most Eligible Bachelor’? -

It’s very funny; it’s very hard work for me. I have more fans from the girls’ side. It’s very good because when I have my body hair in provocateur it’s like 8th of March in the club and all girls. It’s very good.