How did you get into DJing?

- I got into DJing in around 2010/2011 because a friend of mine produces Hands-Up music and played it out on a german web radio. After that i saw the Tomorrowland aftermovie and i got hooked!

What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?

- Watch a lot of youtube tutorials and asked my friend from the web radio for feedback in terms of DJing and producing music. Having a mentor really helps out.

What did your first setup look like?

- Straight up a Hercules DJ Control MP3 e2 and Virtual DJ haha.

What does your current setup look like?

- Using a Pioneer XDJ RX with Rekordbox right now, will switch to CDJ's and a DJM soon.

How did you get your DJ/Artist name?

- So my last name is "Emperor" in english and when me and some friends had a DJ-Name brainstorming session someone accidentally said "Empra" because he spelled Emperor wrong. Pretty lame story but the name kinda fits.

If you could DJ at any 3 events/festivals what would they be?

- Since i already got a taste of what it feels like to stand on the Tomorrowland Mainstage together with Fedde Le Grand when we premiered my Remix of "Like We Do" it's kinda tough to say. Gotta be Ultra Music Festival in Miami, Untold Festival in Romania and of course EDC.

If you could DJ in any 3 cities what would they be?

- New York City, London and a lot of citys in Asia (Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul).

If you could be a tour DJ for any artist (dead or alive), who would it be?

- Since I'm an EDM Artist i gotta stay in the Industrie. Besides Fedde Le Grand i think touring with Martin Garrix would be amazing. His Shows are next level, he is humble, got an amazing team and is just one of my idols in general.

What is your goal when you play live?

- To build an emotional connection with my audience through my music. I want to share my music with the world and try to lift up people's lifes with my tracks. Getting everyone in the same emotional place just with music is an insane feeling.

What's your go to song right now?

- Probably "feelings" by Lauv. I think he is one of the best Pop Artists of this generation.

What is your dream as a DJ?

- Closing the Tomorrowland Mainstage, having my own record label to give new talent a place to share their music because i want the future of EDM to be as bright as ever. I want people to start living their dreams and to stop being scared. Life's too short to be scared.

What is some advice you would give to someone with a dream to become a DJ?

- Accept the fact that i will take a while until you finally get to play decent shows and produce good music. Everyone sucks at the beginning. It takes time to develop skills. Never give up and try to do your best everyday, show up everyday and put in the work everyday. It's a tough road to pursue what you really want in life but things that are worth it never come easy. If you really love what you do, you will be successful in the end. Always surround yourself with people who are better than you, be open for critique and keep on dreaming big. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't turn your dreams into reality!

Where can people find you? (social media, website, etc.)

- Instagram: @empra_music, spotfiy: empra,soundcloud.com/djempra,facebook.com/djempra
- Facebook:facebook.com/djempra
- Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/1K1ZkTQCjpVZrChPZhkw6U?si=aeO2pwb7TLe7hM509c1dXw
- Soundcloud:soundcloud.com/djempra

DJ Empra Interview | Respect the DJ Interview