Last week, OC celebrated the launch of its exclusive collaboration with MASSIVE. Providing the soundtrack for the fete was newcomer DJ Anthony DiCapua. A native of Long Island, NY, DiCapua taught himself how to DJ at home on his computer, creating the one-of-a-kind mixes he'd always wanted to dance to. Now, after two years DJing at parties all over New York's gay-club circuit, DiCapua is a sought-after artist with producer aspirations.
We caught up with the music mixer just days before the MASSIVE for Opening Ceremony launch to chat about his life as a DJ and his top ten tracks for the summer.
Shop MASSIVE for Opening Ceremony MEN'S and WOMEN'S
CHARLES ELLIS: What Inspired this playlist?
ANTHONY DICAPUA: A lot of the songs I chose were hip-hop and very bass-y, like R&B from California, because I think that’s really popular right now and I’m really into that. I also chose some reggae from artists like Popcaan, who just put out this new album. I chose local artists from the queer underground scene like Junglepussy and K Rizz. I mean she’s not gay, but she’s a part of the scene. I also chose random girls that did rap mixes of songs that also sing. There’s a lot of summery, beachy stuff, and then I also put some club stuff in there too.
So you think that hip-hip gets the crowds most excited?
I think people really enjoy [hip-hop] because it’s really easy to dance to. In April, I played in LA... And a lot of what they were playing was very upbeat, R&B-type rap music. I think it’s called R&Bass. It’s really catchy, but also, the beats are really futuristic.
How did you land your first gig as a DJ?
Well I’ve always been obsessed with music, and what happened was that I downloaded a program on my computer one day, and I just started learning how to DJ on my own. For my first gigs, I was using Virtual DJ and DJing at WestGay [at Westway]. Frankie Sharp’s party was probably my first DJ gig. I think that was in September 2012. I DJed the backroom and just played a ton of throwback hip-hop, reggae, and dance music, and people really liked it. From there I started doing Lady Fag’s parties, then all these underground downtown parties started coming. It was awesome.
Where do you want to see yourself down the line?
I want to end up learning how to produce, but I’m not up to that level yet. I think right now I just want to focus on making my music library as diverse as possible so I can be prepared for any gig. I’m focused on future club music and very popular, New York, underground music. It’s nice to have different options if you have a different gig.
Do you keep premade playlists that are ready to go?
I don’t. It’s one of those things I take day-by-day, because you never know what gig you’re doing yet. I did Lady Fag’s huge warehouse party three weeks ago, and she asked me three days before. It’s more exciting that way. Now,
We caught up with the music mixer just days before the MASSIVE for Opening Ceremony launch to chat about his life as a DJ and his top ten tracks for the summer.
Shop MASSIVE for Opening Ceremony MEN'S and WOMEN'S
CHARLES ELLIS: What Inspired this playlist?
ANTHONY DICAPUA: A lot of the songs I chose were hip-hop and very bass-y, like R&B from California, because I think that’s really popular right now and I’m really into that. I also chose some reggae from artists like Popcaan, who just put out this new album. I chose local artists from the queer underground scene like Junglepussy and K Rizz. I mean she’s not gay, but she’s a part of the scene. I also chose random girls that did rap mixes of songs that also sing. There’s a lot of summery, beachy stuff, and then I also put some club stuff in there too.
So you think that hip-hip gets the crowds most excited?
I think people really enjoy [hip-hop] because it’s really easy to dance to. In April, I played in LA... And a lot of what they were playing was very upbeat, R&B-type rap music. I think it’s called R&Bass. It’s really catchy, but also, the beats are really futuristic.
How did you land your first gig as a DJ?
Well I’ve always been obsessed with music, and what happened was that I downloaded a program on my computer one day, and I just started learning how to DJ on my own. For my first gigs, I was using Virtual DJ and DJing at WestGay [at Westway]. Frankie Sharp’s party was probably my first DJ gig. I think that was in September 2012. I DJed the backroom and just played a ton of throwback hip-hop, reggae, and dance music, and people really liked it. From there I started doing Lady Fag’s parties, then all these underground downtown parties started coming. It was awesome.
Where do you want to see yourself down the line?
I want to end up learning how to produce, but I’m not up to that level yet. I think right now I just want to focus on making my music library as diverse as possible so I can be prepared for any gig. I’m focused on future club music and very popular, New York, underground music. It’s nice to have different options if you have a different gig.
Do you keep premade playlists that are ready to go?
I don’t. It’s one of those things I take day-by-day, because you never know what gig you’re doing yet. I did Lady Fag’s huge warehouse party three weeks ago, and she asked me three days before. It’s more exciting that way. Now,