MANILA, Philippines - Foreign DJ Papa visited Manila a few days back as part of “his globe-trotting DJ Tour,” expressing excitement about facing party-goers here for the first time.
A resident DJ of Buddha Bar Monte Carlo in Monaco, the well-traveled artist showcased his kind of playlist to people gathered at Buddha Bar Manila last Sept. 6.
The man sports tattoos and speaks in his calm-sounding voice, revealing some of his routines and beliefs as DJ-musician.
When asked how he had prepared for his set list, his amusing reply, “I don’t prepare my playlist. I look at the faces of people and try to understand what the crowd wants.”
He frankly mentioned he has one condition. “I don’t take song requests. If you don’t like what I am playing, that is not my problem.”
With a career that began in the ’70s, DJ Papa has played in over 300 clubs in Italy, his birthplace, and Monte Carlo. He displayed his skill and head-partied at major events such as the Grand Prix, Rolex Tennis Masters, Garden Rose Ball, Summer Ball and Yacht Show. He is said to be winning audiences for his likable mix of Lounge, World Music, Oriental and Ethnic House. His expertise according to observers complements well with Buddha Bar’s signature fusion.
Hours before he did his show at Buddha Bar Manila located at Picar Place, Kalayaan Ave., Makati City, he chatted with the local press, “I love people. Tonight, I’ll try to entertain the Filipinos.”
Interestingly, DJ Papa has a deep background as a musician, having played drums in a band before trying his luck at deejaying. He studied music for eight years and listened seriously to music of The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. He shared, “You can say I’m very old. I started with funky and soul music, went through the ’80s new wave sound.”
One thing he is clear about, he does not want music with no recall. He explained, “I love music that embraces feelings. I don’t like plastic music or melodies I can’t remember in the morning.”
“Concept is very important in dealing with music. I don’t play commercial because it’s not part of the concept of the bar I play in.”
Though certainly an old soul, DJ Papa is not one to alienate younger people who have their own tastes and preferences. He related, “Music is about evolution and that’s why before we play with the vinyl and now we play with computer. It’s 2014 and it’s the time of the computer and young people like it. I have traveled all over the world and understand that people are different from place to place. It makes way for the experience of travelling and playing music to various personalities extra good.”
Papadia Donato is DJ Papa’s real name, one that he describes as “not artistic.” His artistry goes skin deep as his arms and other body parts are adorned with tattoos, not because he used to be in a rock band but due to the fact he is a biker and a full-bloodied member of a biker’s club.
His becoming a DJ was kind of accident, a blessing in disguise after his mom “became jealous of his band” and doing the DJ’s work somewhat his fallback. He never looked back actually.
Part of his longevity and success is his attitude towards family life and the job he came to love. He said, “I’m a lucky man. I love my job. I love my wife who is a chef. I play different music each night and I just love hanging out with people, meeting people everywhere.”