Respect the DJ with Anthony Nikita
How did you get into DJing?
Ahhhhh man, so this goes back in time a bit. My sister, Melissa Nikita, (you're probably going to hear me refer back to her a lot in this interview), is an O.G DJ/producer and major influence in my passion for music. Growing up in the 90s, I was lucky to share a house with my older sister during the rise of Trance and electronic music in the United States. She just so happened to be one of the rising underground New York DJs that made the dance music scene what it is today. I’m proud to have intruded in her room during her live streaming sessions, and watched her use the dinosaur equipment they had in the 90’s haha. It was later on in life I realized that making and playing dance music is my passion and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?
Apart from having one of the best mentors in the game, I am a very independent learner and wanted to do things my way and sort of on my own. Instead of DJing i wanted to take advantage of the vast technology our generation is exposed to, and learn production. I stopped DJing for a bit because I found that making my own tunes and having my idols across the world play them live was even more amazing then before. I have to admit, I spent countless hours on youtube, learning sound designing techniques and referencing some of my favorite artists records.
What did your first set up look like?
My first setup? oh man….it was ugly…..I started out using the Reason 5 DAW with big old dell computer with like 512mb of RAM (it used to crash every 5 minutes) and two little dell speakers with a stupid little subwoofer. I used my typing keyboard as a piano keyboard. I spend hours to bind each key on my keyboard to be able to do something in each plugin….lets just say I’m glad those days are over haha!
What does your current set up look like?
My current setup…..okay…..better….much better…..much more efficient! I’m able to get the sound I want when I want and with ease. I have and Akai professional 61 key keyboard, Event Dual monitors, 2 Samsung 24” curved displays and an Audience ID14 audio interface. Believe it or not my MacBook pro powers this whole set up with Logic X and it works like a charm! Although, my equipment keeps on changing, this setup is working wonders for me.
How did you get your DJ/Artist name?
Well I started out as Stamina & Nikita, a production duo with my cousin from Shaolin, Nick aka Stamina. I picked Nikita, as inspiration from my mentor and inspiration, my sister
Melissa Nikita. Our family name is spelled “Nicchitta” (It’s a very Sicilian last name), pronounced “Nikita”, so I’m pretty sure she did it just to avoid having everyone call he “[Ni-Chee-tuh]”, plus it looks cool haha! I think it’s awesome to be brother and sister in the business and make different styles of dance music and have our “voices” heard in the dance music world.
If you could DJ at any 3 events/festivals what would they be?
Wow awesome question. I have such a special place in my heart with New York’s premier electronic dance music festival, Electric Zoo. It occurs once a year on labor day weekend at Randall’s Island Park, right in our backyard in the shadows of the most beautiful skyline the world has to offer. I would love to play the progressive stage along side my label mates at Silk Recordings, it would be something i’d never forget. As for the other two, I think it’s a dream of every dj to play in Ibiza, so I’d love to play a sunset beach party on the famous sands of Ibiza then take the same vibes to the dance capital of the world in Amsterdam at Luminosity Beach Festival.
If you could DJ in any 3 cities what would they be?
Amsterdam, the birthplace of dance music, Buenos Aires, Argentina and Mykonos, Greece. All places with awesome beaches a spectacular parties
If you could be a tour DJ for any artist (dead or alive), who would it be?
My Idols, Above & Beyond, they changed the sound of trance and progressive house and built a family with their Anjunabeats record label. They created a scene where everyone fits in and everyone is there for the love of music, the way it should be.
What is your goal when you play live?
Smiling faces and dancing people. That’s it. its so worth dropping one of your own tracks you put your all into and seeing people sing your lyrics or jump around and groove to it. Best feeling in the world.
What's your go to song right now?
Not to toot my own horn, I really never do this lol. However, I released a track a little over a month ago with a vocalist who goes by the name of Hadar Adora (https://soundcloud.com/hadaradora), And I gotta say, it’s the best thing I ever constructed. I had so much fun making this record with her amazing and incredibly dynamic vocals, she’s honestly the best and super kind hearted. Here's the youtube link to the track, which was signed to literally my favorite record label in the biz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAFe2_4e5W8
What is your dream as a DJ?
My dream is to make people smile as much as music makes me smile. Thats it. To me it’s not about the riches or the fame, I only want that so I can do this for a living and just work on the main goal, and that’s the pursuit of happiness. seeing those smiling faces and hearing that wonderful feedback my fans continue to give me, makes all of this worth while and I love it.
What is some advice you would give to someone with a dream to become a DJ?
Literally, DON’T FUCKING GIVE UP. DON’T STOP DREAMING. IT’S SUPER HARD…..like it feels impossible, but you gotta prove everyone wrong, you gotta show everyone that you are the shit, and you LOVE WHAT YOU DO. PERIOD. Also, if you’re in it for the money, you’re in the wrong business.
Where can people find you? (social media, website, etc)
My website www.anthonynikitamusic.nyc has links to all of my social media outlets, I’m most active on Instagram so follow me there and honestly i’m always looking for vocals, artwork, and collabs on anything so feel free to email me at Anthony@Anthonynikitamusic.nyc …..I answer right away! Lets work!