Fresh Air – Mark Ronson On DJing In The '90s
Host: Tonya Mosley (for NPR's Fresh Air)
Guest: Mark Ronson
Date: September 30, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, Grammy-winning producer and DJ Mark Ronson joins Tonya Mosley to discuss his new memoir, Night People, which chronicles his formative years in the 1990s New York City club scene. The conversation examines how Ronson became immersed in nightlife culture, the technical and emotional aspects of being a DJ, his musical upbringing, the art of crate-digging for rare samples, the intersection of identity and privilege, and the lasting lessons he’s carried into his career as a producer for icons like Amy Winehouse and Lady Gaga.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The World of "Night People"
[00:00–03:51]
- Ronson’s memoir reflects on the lost world of 1990s NYC nightlife, before the city’s club culture changed due to increased regulations and new social norms.
- Definition of "night people": Those who come alive after dark, crafting their best selves at night—a step beyond simply enjoying a night out.
Quote:
“Night people... become their best selves once the sun goes down and daytime is just the warmup.” – Tonya Mosley [00:19]
Opening Scene Reading
Ronson gives a vibrant reading from his memoir’s start, describing capturing a party’s energy by hijacking the aux cord and uniting the room with the perfect song.
Quote:
“The party is on the verge. It just needs someone brave enough to tip it over...” – Mark Ronson [02:09]
Discovering the DJ’s Power
[03:51–06:40]
- Ronson reflects on the first time he experienced the unique thrill of affecting a crowd, which happened as a child when his stepfather, Mick Jones from Foreigner, handed him control of the music at his wedding.
- The moment carried both the weight of responsibility and a formative sense of “having done something right.”
Quote:
“It was the first time in my life I genuinely have a memory of having done something right.” – Mark Ronson [05:40]
Family, Upbringing, and Being “Night People”
[06:40–09:32]
- Ronson discusses being raised by creative, nocturnal adults, and how their influence shaped his eventual embrace of nightlife.
- As a child, he was invited to listen to rough mixes in the middle of the night by his stepfather, learning to trust his musical instincts and opinions early on.
Quote:
“I just remember thinking it was so cool... he valued my opinion.” – Mark Ronson [08:18]
Musical Identity & Pivotal Moments
[10:52–18:44]
- Ronson describes a turning point at age 17 after hearing “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” by Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth. The song’s emotional, sampled saxophone melody inspired him to leave band life behind and focus on DJing and hip hop sounds.
- His obsession with sampling led to crate-digging and forging relationships with record collectors to access rare tracks, especially before the era of digital music.
Quote:
“I just remember... listening to his single cassette single... chasing the ache.” – Mark Ronson [14:41]
On Crate-Digging:
“Everything was so sacred. It’s ridiculous now to think you could just go to who sampled and you’d immediately find it...” – Mark Ronson [19:53]
The Physicality & Grind of 90s DJing
[22:11–26:25]
- The logistics of DJing in New York in the ’90s: lugging three crates of records (about 100 albums per crate) up and down walk-ups and elevators, sweating before even reaching the gig.
- Today’s DJs are spared much of the back pain and inconvenience, but Ronson describes a renewed joy in playing vinyl after years of digital sets.
Quote:
“I have this crazy arthritis in my right foot from 25 years... the doctor said, ‘You kind of aggressively tap your foot while you’re DJing.’ I’d never thought about that.” – Mark Ronson [23:53]
Quote:
“Now I’m making an appointment with my acupuncturist online as I’m leaving the club.” – Mark Ronson [26:19]
Crafting Moments on the Dancefloor
[26:25–29:21]
- Ronson narrates a memorable moment at the club Sweet Thang, where he blended a local anthem (“Déjà Vu (Uptown Baby)”) into Busta Rhymes’ “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See,” causing the room to erupt.
- He discusses the rush of “remixing the room itself,” reading a crowd’s energy, and making split-second transitions for maximum impact.
Quote:
“There was a half-second delay as their brains processed what just happened. And then they ignited like an energy rocket.” – Mark Ronson [26:55]
Quote:
“It’s like clay or play doh... you’re able to mold together. It’s incredible. It’s kind of why I can’t stop DJing.” – Mark Ronson [29:06]
Identity, Privilege, and Finding a Unique Sound
[30:43–38:11]
- Being a British, Jewish kid from an affluent family, Ronson was both outsider and insider in the largely Black and working-class hip hop scene.
- He acknowledges the advantages of his upbringing but also the work and risk involved in proving himself.
- A story about taking a huge risk at NYC’s Cheetah Club, blending “Back in Black” by AC/DC with hip hop, shows how calculated experimentation with genre-bending earned him respect and gigs.
Quote:
“I did have advantages... but I also, you know, worked my ass off. That’s kind of the two sides of the book.” – Mark Ronson [32:24]
Quote:
“By that second time the riff came around, the club just erupted... it did help me find my own sound and identity.” – Mark Ronson [36:14]
The DJ as Performer – Similarities to Stand-Up Comics
[38:11–39:08]
- Like comedians, DJs “read the room,” must time their sets and surprises, and are only as good as their connection with the crowd.
- The importance of adapting the set in real-time based on crowd energy.
Quote:
“DJs and standups... our talent and skills are useless without a crowd... we call it killing when we do good.” – Mark Ronson [38:40]
Lessons from Collaboration & Production
[41:30–43:48]
- Moving from DJing (a solitary job) to producing (collaborative), Ronson explains the need to check one’s ego, listen to artists, and find a synthesis between styles.
- His family upbringing—one of many siblings—helped him hone skills of negotiation and listening, key for creative collaboration.
Quote:
“Suddenly, I realized I wasn’t the most important person in the equation. And I still hold that to this day.” – Mark Ronson [42:23]
DJing “Sins” & Essentials
[43:48–45:54]
- Ronson’s (and Mosley’s) pet peeves: overusing the air horn, replaying the same record in one night, and playing hits too early or to empty rooms.
- The essential DJing skill is timing—never force the mood before the room is ready; reading the dancefloor is everything.
Quote:
“If you’re not making me feel it enough with the music, I don’t need the horns to be bullied into having a visceral emotion.” – Mark Ronson [44:04]
Quote:
“That’s why they call it reading a room...” – Mark Ronson [45:54]
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- On the power of the DJ:
“You’re literally remixing the room.” – Mark Ronson [27:13] - On crate-digging:
“Everything was sacred.” – Mark Ronson [19:53] - On privilege:
“I had to really deal with that and address that really out in the open in the book. Of course, I had advantages...” – Mark Ronson [32:16] - On risk-taking at Cheetah:
“I wasn’t supposed to be playing it. They weren’t supposed to be dancing to it. And it was just this great moment.” – Mark Ronson [36:14] - On DJing vs. producing:
“If I have an idea I feel passionate about, I’m gonna fight for it. But they’re the one that has to go around singing that for the next two years or maybe the rest of their life.” – Mark Ronson [42:37]
Useful Timestamps
- [02:09] – Memoir opening passage about the thrill of uniting a party as DJ
- [05:40] – Childhood memory of controlling wedding music, formative DJ rush
- [14:34] – Discovering “They Reminisce Over You” as pivotal inspiration
- [19:53] – The sacredness of physical records and pre-digital access
- [23:53] – Physical tolls of DJing: “DJ Foot” and back pain stories
- [26:38] – The Sweet Thang club moment and “remixing the room”
- [34:30] – Risking a genre blend: mixing AC/DC into hip hop at Cheetah
- [38:11] – DJ as performer: parallels with stand-up comedy
- [43:48] – DJing sins: air horns, timing, avoiding repeats
- [45:54] – The art of “reading the room”
Conclusion
This episode is a rich, behind-the-scenes journey through Mark Ronson’s early days spinning records in 1990s New York—an era defined by creativity, physical hustle, and the intoxicating power of the DJ. Through vivid anecdotes and thoughtful reflection, Ronson and Mosley discuss technological changes, the enduring mystique of crate-digging, the complexities of identity, and the eternal dance between DJ and crowd. Whether detailing musical discoveries or dancefloor alchemy, Ronson’s passion for music and performance shines throughout.
Host’s Parting Words:
“Mark Ronson, it’s such a pleasure to talk to you, and thank you so much for this fun read.” – Tonya Mosley [46:26]