French producer DatA, who made it big in 2006 with the hugely successful "Trop Laser" and the hit "J’aime pas l’art", has since forged a successful career in France and internationally, and he and his mixes are considered hip around the globe (England, USA, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Switzerland and South America). He has enjoyed considerable success with his remixes for Felix Da Housecat, Chromeo and M83 to name a few. He has just released his first album "SKYWRITER" (Ekler’O’Shock/Naïve) that reflects his early passion for pop.

David aka DatA: Is the tape now running?

Dimitri: Hey David! 1, 2, 3 … Let's go! David, can you remember when the first G-SHOCK came out?

David: The first G-SHOCK came out in 1983, two years before I was even born.

When did you get your first G-SHOCK?

I must have been 11 when I received my first G-SHOCK, so I would have been in what is now known as year 7. It was at a time when you wore Air Max on your feet, a G-SHOCK on your wrist and a Charlotte Hornets baseball cap on your head, making you the coolest guy in school.

Looking back on your childhood in the 1980s: typical French Choco BN chocolate biscuits or a knocked off BMX?

In France, gangs of unsavoury yobs (known as cailleras) are considered ghetto kids. I was a wannabe yob ... (laughs). I was a funny guy, even if I wasn't a real yob. However, I still acted as though I was. I was one of those who sat on the back row. You scrunch up a ball of paper and throw it 250 times at the guy sitting in front of you, and when he turns around you pretend you weren't the one that threw it (laughs) …

Someone who puts himself in danger undoubtedly needs a watch that is both robust and tough then? Has your G-SHOCK Shock Resist brought you any luck?

I have flirted with girls and told them I have a shock-proof watch... I have showed it to them and even offered for them to try it on. That works every time. You take your watch and say "see if it suits you". At the time when I was 11 and in year 7, I used to think I was pretty important...

The other feature that makes the G-SHOCK simply unbeatable is the Wave Ceptor technology. You do know what that is don't you?

Wave Ceptor is a wicked feature! It automatically re-adjusts the time, it's fantastic! As I travel about a lot, I find this really helpful. Every time I arrive somewhere, I don't need to ask the person next to me what time it is (laughs)...

Thanks, David. Speak to you soon.

Thank you. Bye.

THE INTERVIEW WAS CONDUCTED BY DIMITRI PAILHE.

Click here to read more about DatA's meeting with G-SHOCK