Idris Elba has always split his focus between music and acting, and he admits the music side of his career keeps him levelheaded.
In fact, the 46-year-old actor credits DJing with grounding him completely.
He told Collider: “DJing is my first love. I’m creative, but DJing was the first stop. That’s where I started. By the time I was about 13, I was DJing for house parties. And then I met my drama teacher, and the DJing went out of the window. I became an actor. But the truth is that I’ve kept DJing alongside my acting career. It’s one of those things that I just really like to do. It grounds me, completely. I love music, and I love making music. What I did not what to do was market my DJing based on my acting. But recently, there’s been this crazy crossroads of stuff happening, all together, with Coachella and ‘Turn Up Charlie.’ It all looks like a marketing plan, but it isn’t. I promise I’m not that clever.”
Elba had previously confessed that he “nearly passed out” when he was booked for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
He said: “I’ve worked my whole life to play at Coachella. I made it at 46! I nearly passed out when I found out.”
And he has no plans to rehearse for the gig, which takes place next month.
He said: “No rehearsals. I’ve got a two-hour set, so I’m just going to bang some great records together. I’m in a dance tent with other DJs who play what I play, so hopefully, we’re just going to bring some energy. Coachella is a big deal.”
