Nina Kraviz: "I try to play a lot of music from the past to educate people"

Nina Kraviz gave a guest lecture at Oxford University last night during which she discussed her faith in the younger generation of dance music fans and producers.

The трип label boss spoke for over an hour at the institution's Oxford Guild careers society about her journey through both life and music before responding to an audience question about Levon Vincent's comments on the state of techno and wider criticisms about the genre becoming too homogenised.

While the Russian DJ did have gripes to discuss, she approached the issue sensitively, concluding that a positive approach needs to be taken.

Kraviz said: "I worry a lot that the younger generation has really big education gaps. They don't know enough about what was happening before. Sometimes a whole genre in music, like deep house for example, is being transformed into something that is definitely not it."

She then went on to explain how she personally aims to enlighten her dancefloors, saying: "I have always been very responsible in front of crowds. I try to play a lot of music from the past to create this bridge and to educate new people.

"I lost interest in the snobby, elderly crowd that has already shaped and formed their own opinions. They've lived long enough and can take care of themselves. I really, really care about and believe in young people."

Kraviz was also asked about her experience working in a male dominated industry, saying that "it has benefits and really unpleasant things."

Expanding, she said: "I'm glad to be surrounded by men and I have nothing against them. What's been happening with me is just the way it is in this type of business: there is sensationalism, putting people in a box, and creating myths that have very little to do with truths.

"It's a problem in wider society, how it functions, or maybe dysfunctions sometimes. With the existing era of the internet I think we are living in a time of really exaggerated self-esteems. Everyone really believes that the world needs his opinion on everything, even in the areas that they have no knowledge about. It's a systematic problem.

"There are rules that society has, of course you can fight them and I do, but in a peaceful way. I focus on something that I believe in and try to direct all my attention to that, that is my answer to the unpleasant side."

You can watch the whole lecture here. A full watch is recommended, as Kraviz talks about her love affair with dance music, how she rose through the ranks and the way she steers her career (she doesn't have a manager and does all her own social media, for example).