Long before he worked with artists like Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse, and Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson was sneaking into nightclubs at age 12 with his friend Sean Ono Lennon. He later became a DJ in New York City’s hip-hop clubs. “It’s so exciting when people start showing up because they love the music you’ve made,” Ronson recalls.
In this Monday’s episode of The Run-Through, Ronson talks with Vogue’s Corey Seymour about his lifelong passion for music—a story captured in his new book, Night People: How to Be a DJ in ’90s New York City. He opens up about growing up in a musical family, the identity crisis he faced early in his career, and what it feels like to set the mood for a party. “I am obsessed with the craft,” he says.
Being part of the ’90s music scene was absolutely thrilling, Ronson notes: “You had Jay-Z, Biggie, Lil’ Kim, A Tribe Called Quest, and then Missy Elliott and Timbaland—all these artists from different places were in New York making records, and they’d come to the club. I had a front-row seat to it all.” Listen to the full conversation above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the podcast episode Mark Ronson Recalls Witnessing the Rise of 90s HipHop designed to sound natural and provide clear direct answers
General Beginner Questions
1 Who is Mark Ronson
Mark Ronson is a Grammywinning music producer DJ and musician known for working with artists like Amy Winehouse Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga He also grew up in New York City during the birth of hiphop
2 What is this podcast episode about
The episode focuses on Mark Ronsons personal experiences and memories of being in NYC during the 1990s and witnessing the explosion of hiphop culture and music firsthand
3 Do I need to be a hiphop expert to enjoy this
Not at all Ronson tells his stories in an accessible way making it engaging for both casual listeners and dedicated music fans
4 What makes the 90s such an important era for hiphop
The 90s is often called the Golden Age of hiphop because it saw massive innovation the rise of iconic artists the East CoastWest Coast rivalry and the genres move into the mainstream worldwide
Content Details
5 What specific artists or events does Ronson talk about
He likely discusses seminal figures and groups he encountered such as The Notorious BIG WuTang Clan and the overall vibe of the NYC music scene including legendary clubs and radio stations
6 Does he share any personal anecdotes
Yes a key part of the episode is his firsthand stories like being a teenager going to record stores hearing new music for the first time and observing how hiphop production evolved from sampling funk and soul records
7 How does Ronson connect his own career to this era
He explains how witnessing the creativity and sampling techniques of 90s hiphop producers directly influenced his own approach to making music and production style
Benefits Key Takeaways
8 What will I learn from listening to this episode
Youll gain a personal groundlevel perspective on a pivotal music history moment understanding the cultural impact and the artistic ingenuity that defined 90s hiphop
9 Why is an insiders perspective like Ronsons valuable
Because he was there not just as a fan but as an