Raving Raeanne: Throwback Thursday with Laidback Luke

Our teenage years are the time when many of us become interested in the very thing that will come to influence our future careers. In most cases, DJs are no different. Laidback Luke is one of the most talented and prolific DJ’s in the industry today. This made me start to question what the world phenomenon was like as a teen growing up in Amsterdam. I came to find that he was no different than most average kids around the world. Whether its having your parents dislike your taste in music (many can relate to that), going to college, or just going through awkward stages, Laidback Luke was just your typical teenager! After interviewing Luke, it became clear that one can do anything he or she sets their mind to as long as they are willing to work hard to achieve it…even if it means becoming a superhero to house music lovers across the world.

Check out the full interview with “Super You and Me” star Laidback Luke:

How would you describe yourself as a teen?

LL: I was a slow starter on puberty. Very shy and uncomfortable, looking up to the kids that were puberty stars. I flourished later than others and it's from that age I started developing my illustrating, skateboarding and music.

Where did you grow up? What was that like?

LL: I grew up in a small town nearby Amsterdam and Schiphol Airport called 'Hoofddorp'. It's just a suburb I guess, but a lot of talented people came from there. For instance, Dobre, from Chocolate Puma who discovered me as a producer grew up there too.

What music were you into?

LL: I was very much into skateboarding, but was always the odd kid that would listen to house music. My skateboard friends didn't understand why I didn't just listen to Hip Hop or Punk music. I have always been very much into electronic music from the start.

How did your parents feel about the music you listened too?

LL: I lost touch with my mom in my teens so she didn't see me develop. My dad thought it was a bunch of repetitive bull crap ha ha.

What did you think you wanted to be at 18?

LL: Although I had been producing from the age of 15 and got my record deal at the age of 18,
I never could have dreamed of living from it. You needed to be lucky at that time, I'm talking about 1995. Even the superstar DJs of that time were only making a fraction of what we are now. So while putting out records, I finished my study to become a Graphic Designer.

What were some of your hobbies?

LL: I used to be very much into Skateboarding and Grafitti. Although I did Karate from since
I was a kid, during puberty I lost interest. And only got back into martial arts and my kung fu
in my twenties.

Were you a good student?

LL: Yes I was a nerd. And I'm very competitive. So I will always strive to do my utmost best.
This got me in trouble with the popular kids in my class though so sometimes I would deliberately try and get lower grades to not upset them ha ha.

Where would you be caught shopping?

LL: Shopping, wow! I'm talking about 1991 here. I was 15 then and needed to buy my clothes
from my own allowance. I bought clothes at Levi's, but also at cheaper stores like the big Dutch
wearhouse called 'C&A'. I would wait for footlocker, or no wait 'Intersport' to have a sale on
shoes so I could buy and wear Nike's like the cool kids. They were always the last season ones though.

Were super heroes always something you loved?

Yes absolutely, I grew up on reading comics and would collect them. They have always intrigued me. Since I was 6 years old I always wanted to become a superhero.

One of my favorite throwbacks that brings back fond memories of my time with Luke last year at Pacha: