There are many words that may come to your mind when you think of Caked Up. Edgy, controversial, and bold are probably some of them. Between the collaborations, remixes and epic performances, Caked Up has had a solid run in the EDM industry and shows no signs of slowing down.

From smashing misconceptions in the EDM industry to what’s next, check out what Caked Up had to say when we interviewed him before his epic Frosh performance.

DJ Caked up performing to Humber College Frosh crowdPhoto credit: Brandon Ferguson

What’s the difference between performing to a younger crowd like this one versus an older one?

I actually prefer the younger crowds because it’s more of the IDGAF attitude and it’s the first week of school so they want a release. I feel like when I was in college the party scene wasn’t what it is now. Now it’s a good place to meet people especially if you’re a freshman. Everyone’s figuring out what they’re into and finding people who are into the same thing. There’s always positive vibes at shows like this when there’s an accumulation of a younger crowd.

When you’re on stage do you notice different energies between audiences ?

Yeah for sure. For an older crowd I have to be smart about what I play, and for a younger crowd I could screw up and they won’t care; they’re literally there for the happiness. That’s why it’s a pleasure to play for a younger audience for sure.

DJ Oscar Wylde on stage at Humber College FroshPhoto credit: Brandon Ferguson

Why is it important for you to have a barrier free relationship with your fans on your digital platforms? 

My wifey is my gage on that, she’ll tell me what to delete. I feel like I’m too open and honest sometimes but I don’t think that’s a problem. I like being myself and I like my fans knowing that I am very down to earth and that I go through stuff too.

There are a lot of preconceptions about DJ’s/ producers in the EDM field. What is one misconception you would like to smash?

I would actually say that there aren’t any misconceptions; it’s kind of messed up at the moment. It’s a bit of carbon copy at the moment, where it’s a lot of copy and paste, which just makes me happy that I established myself when I did. Vine isn’t even a goddamn thing now and that’s where I had my 2 million-follower platform that I skyrocketed from.

Humber College Frosh crowdPhoto credit:Brandon Ferguson

How is the EDM industry different now vs. when you started out?

I would say that it’s all business now, which is sad. Everything’s crunched down to numbers.  I got into music because I was sick of looking at books and doing math. When that becomes an aspect… how do you not expect it to become boring. That’s the thing, it has its ups and downs just like everything does. EDM is very crazy because it’s come out of nowhere, where things like hip hop have been around forever. You have something that came out of nowhere and hypnotized everyone from 18 to 25 for what now, 6 years? We used to make fun of raves when we were younger and now we’re like this is all awesome.

I don’t know, it’s just weird how it all came full circle. These things used to be in warehouse parties and now this is very crunch number. Back in the day it was literally 17 to 18 year olds who were just in this place  having the best time of their lives, not worrying about anything, experiencing freedom. It was underground and that’s where I feel like the passion was; where they felt like they had something that people didn’t even know existed and now it’s everywhere. I don’t think it’s a bad thing but I do feel like that has taken some of the passion behind things.

DJ Oscar Wylde making music on stage at Humber College FroshPhoto credit: Brandon Ferguson

You have many fans who look up to you and are inspired by what you do. Which artist did you look up to growing up and inspired you to get into the music industry?

Steve Aoki. We’ve been on tour together actually and I had to do his vocals for three weeks on tour. It was crazy and now we’re really good friends. A lot of people that I actually look up to aren’t even in this industry. That’s why I wanted to indulge in this industry more because I had a passion for music that hadn’t been made yet, and at the time I was into something that was so different and new. It’s been crazy to see how it’s blossomed. I remember when Pasquale was putting on EDC shows in LA at a warehouse 10 years ago, that was EDC. Now it’s huge and he’s a millionaire.

Why did you decide to get into the music industry?

I’ve been into music since I was a kid, I just always loved it. I like predicating shit, and Rachel[my girlfriend] will tell you I’m overly obsessed with movies and music. I feel like that’s a huge part of my life. I swear since I was seven I should’ve been a DJ, I always told myself that. Hearing how songs should go together has always made sense in my brain and it’s just fun for me. To be honest with you, I would prefer not to make music. It’s fun, but stressful. I’m not even listening to a full song, I’m listening to four bars of a song over and over again to make it perfect and it’s a weird form of torture. I like making my songs but I love the DJ aspect of playing music. I’ve always been that guy that’s like give me the AUX cord, I’ve got this.

Crowd at Humber College FroshPhoto credit: Brandon Ferguson

You’ve achieved a lot, what’s next?

Acting, that’s where my brain is headed right now. I want to be on Walking Dead and Game of Thrones, things like that. I want to do something where ten years from now I can watch an episode and be like, oh my god. I have two or three songs on that Lethal Weapon show and it was so weird to hear my music on a show. It would just be next level for me and I’m a good actor, I have to say that. It’s been a passion of mine forever and I think that would be the next step for me especially with that platform that I have.

You don’t want to get bored with what you’re doing. I feel like I should just move to the next step which is still music but it would intertwine both video and sound. That would be the coolest thing to have 4 EP’s or a song and have entire music videos behind them telling a story. That would be epic. I feel like people want substance and that’s what’s lacking.

*This interview has been edited for length and clarity

Frosh is the first of many awesome events IGNITE has planned for the upcoming year. Make sure you check out IGNITE’s events page to stay in the know.

For more interviews like this, check out our interview with another one of this year’s performers – Lil Yachty or check out last year’s Frosh performer Boi 1-da.

Interested in the entertainment industry? You’ll want to check out what Suli Breaks and Drex Jancar had to say in their interviews.