Recommendations of the Editorial team
It’s not hard to imagine Gordo, the prolific producer and DJ, enjoying a lavish weekend at Berghain – that infamous Berlin techno temple housed in a huge old power plant, known for uncompromising sound and equally uncompromising parties. The picture is more difficult, to imagine him showing up there with Drake. But a few weeks ago, Gordo actually managed to persuade the superstar (for whom he regularly produces) to spend an evening at the club famous for excess, orgies and an unrivaled sound system.
First, a few clarifications: There were no celebrity perks or security guards escorting them in — they stood in line like everyone else, trying to get past the notoriously strict door policy. “All I’ll say is: There was no extra service, no special treatment. Nothing. We just walked to the front, no paying, nothing,” Gordo tells ROLLING STONE from Amsterdam. And secondly: In a tweet he claimed that they had spent around three hours there (“Me & Drake went to Berghain last night no security and listened to industrial techno for about 3 hours…. Probably top 5 most insane nights of my life”). But Gordo makes it clear that he stayed until the next morning – just like they do in Berghain.
“I don’t know anyone on this planet who can get Drake into Berghain and keep him there for more than 20 minutes. I deserve respect for having him there for two to three hours. And then people say, ‘Just three hours?’ I stayed until six or seven in the morning – but you’re also talking to someone who can DJ for 14 hours.” Gordo doesn’t want to go into too much detail about what exactly happened inside. He only reveals that they initially stayed at Panorama Bar for a while before fans started recognizing Drake. Even for Gordo, who performs at the world’s biggest electronic festivals, the evening was an experience like no other. “I’ve never seen anything like this anywhere in the world. It blew me away. And I’m one of those DJs who’s been through a lot of crazy things,” he says.
From Berghain to Studio
Aside from the club nights, Gordo is in the middle of several projects. He is working on new music after releasing his acclaimed, star-studded album Diamante last year. The record went double platinum and featured artists like Leon Bridges and Fuerza Regida – while still sounding unmistakably Gordo. “I know a lot of artists who make albums like that where they just put random people on it and it seems weird or experimental. But with Diamante, every song felt tasteful,” he says.
A title or clear concept for the new project has not yet been decided, but Gordo already has a direction in mind: “I want to go back to the deep house roots and dive really deep,” he says. “I have a few tracks ready, but there’s no need to rush. I hate rushing things. Everything happens organically.”
Drake’s new album and big tour plans
First, though, he has to finish Drake’s upcoming album Iceman, which is due out later this year. “I’m preparing for the next chapter of my life – my own project – and at the same time finishing Drake’s album,” he explains. He knows little about the release date himself: “All I know is: make beats, send them to him and see what happens.”
His current focus is on tour, with gigantic sets in Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro. The appearance in Brazil is part of a big birthday party he is preparing. “We have a massive line-up – that’s what I’m most looking forward to.” All of this, he hopes, will mark the start of an even bigger year.