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We recently caught up with local DJ and producer Raneem for a quick photo session. While having a great time, we decided to ask him a few questions that we’ve been asking ourselves.

Thorium : You used to be a commercial pop and hip-hop DJ between the years 2000 and 2005. What prompted your change in musical direction? What convinced you this was the right choice?

Raneem : That’s right! I used to experiment with different styles of music way back then. Today, looking back at when I used to play Hip Hop, RnB, Pop and Arabic music, I can now say it marked the start of my hobby, and the “development” of my passion for djing, so to speak. In fact, I started off by spinning at small, local events and high-school parties – and you very well know that it was exactly the commercial type of music that I was often requested to play. My surroundings also contributed to the kind of music I used to play. Then, around 2002-2003, I started to become exposed to EDM, and I loved it. Little by little, I switched my focus to Tribal House, and then to Progressive and Trance.

Thorium : What got you into dance music in the first place?

Raneem : A number of producers and djs inspired me to get into the EDM scene such as Jean-Michel Jarre, Junior Jack, DJ Jean, Laurent Wolf, Antoine Clamaran, Bob Sinclair, Daft Punk, David Guetta, Oakenfold, Tiesto, and more. Also, I really used to enjoy the dance mixes of a DJ called “Almighty” (I’m not sure if he’s still producing though). Believe it or not, I was really inspired by his remixes of many commercial pop tracks (such as those by the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, etc.).

Thorium : Most of the tracks you produce are definitely tech-trance, but we’ve seen you venture off in a slightly different style with Free Fall that got a lot of success, what styles do you want to explore next?

Raneem : Well, I have to say that I’m both a very dance-floor oriented clubber and a DJ, which can explain why I prefer techy/groovy beats and big phat basslines. At the same time, I like to experiment a lot with styles and sounds, without limiting myself to one specific genre. Let’s just say that I love to learn new tricks, testing my production skills in different styles while keeping with the usual high quality results! Haha!

Thorium : If you could collab with any artist from EDM’s history, who would that be and why?

Honestly, I have no specific producer in mind. But as I said earlier, since I love experimenting with new styles and learning new stuff, I’d be open to any type of collaboration with any talented EDM producer out there!

Thorium : 2011 proved to be a big year for you when played your first two major festivals with Bal en Blanc and Resolution. How is it different playing to a stadium then it is playing at a club? Do you prepare differently? Also, which do you prefer?

Raneem : I have to admit that both Bal en Blanc and Resolution were two of my best gigs so far. Seeing several thousand people dance to your beats makes you feel powerful and in control, because you see the physical effect of the music you are playing on the clubbers happening right in front of your eyes. However, playing at large events does have one small drawback: you cannot see people’s facial reactions and expressions very clearly, and this is why I also like smaller events in clubs, where the atmosphere is more friendly and cozy. To be honest, I cannot compare both since each type of event has its own uniqueness. I will always enjoy and appreciate playing in either small or big venues, as long as I see people having a good time!

Thorium : You’ve recently changed the name of your radio show and combined it with your podcast. What was the reason behind this change and what can we expect from Drop Zone?

Raneem : My show used to be called Beirut on Fire. As the success of the show increased, I felt like I had to rebrand it, removing the geographical focus from the name. So, just recently, I decided to take my music career to another level and started some solid campaigns and branding – including changing the name of my radio show. Indeed, Drop Zone is my new trademark today, showcasing mainly the best and recent (and NOT necessarily the latest) of progressive and trance, alongside a twist of electro, techno, and whatever I think sounds good. I always make sure to deliver a set with a specific flow (and not just play the latest tunes out there in a random order like many others do). Drop Zone is a 2-hour monthly show broadcasted on Afterhours.FM and can also be downloaded through subscribing for free to The Raneem Podcast on iTunes.

Thorium : Who’s a DJ you look up to and could state as your biggest source of inspiration?

Raneem : There’s no one in particular. I think I’m a very diverse DJ as I get inspired by a lot of musicians, producers, and DJs from many different genres.

Thorium : What city, club or festival in the world do you dream about playing at?

Raneem : Whether it’s a small club, a large venue, or a festival, my dream is to play in every country on this planet. You might say that it’s just a dream and I might be crazy, but if that’s my current goal in my career, you can only imagine what I will be doing during the coming years. If you enjoy my music, keep an eye on my social media pages as I’ll be very active in the scene and releasing a lot of different music in the future.

We hope you learned more about one of our most promising Montreal locals and would like to thank Raneem for his time.

Author: Michael Chidiac

Photography equipement: Nikon D7000, 2x SB-900, Orbis Ring Flash Adapter.

To learn more : Raneem