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Dazed & Confused: What is the meaning of victory to you?
Didier Drogba: For me, victory means a lot of different things. Mostly,
it’s all about the idea of achievement. To reach one’s goals in life can
be seen as a victory.
Which word would you link to the idea of victory?
I would link the idea of victory to the sentence, "I did it!"
What have been the most important victories in your career?
My greatest victory has been to qualify for the World Cup with my
country. That is the last important victory!
What has been the most important victory in your private life?
In my private life, my greatest victory was helping to unite the Ivorian
population, together with my teammates.
Who, in your opinion, is the athlete that best represents victory?
Michael Jordan. I was one of those boys who used to wake up at night to
watch NBA and I would see him rising up and never coming back down.
It was outstanding.
How was the shoot today?
Good. We had fun, I was entirely covered with powder...
but it was funny. I think that it is a good campaign.
Did you already know about Rankin before the shoot?
No, I did not know Rankin. But, I felt immediately at ease on the shoot.
I was covered with powder... but it is okay, since it is the blue
of the Chelsea football team!
How would you describe your style?
It really changes according to the situation. But often I just put on a pair
of jeans and basketball shoes.
Do you usually pay attention to fashion and trends?
Yes, because we all like cool things, and we all like what’s new.
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Dazed & Confused: What is the meaning of victory to you?
Adriano: Victory means to overcome one’s limitations. That’s true for every person
who wants to win something. A winner in this life is simply someone who is able
to overcome their diffi culties.
Which event do you consider as your greatest victory outside the fi eld?
My greatest victory in my personal life was to overcome the hardest time I ever faced,
when my father died.
Are there any athletes you consider as representative of the winner’s attitude?
Ronaldo, because he was able to overcome a critical period when he had his fi rst
injury, and go on to win the World Cup. In my opinion, he can be considered a winner.
What are the values that guide you? What do you believe in?
I believe in trying to improve myself at each match, and I try to do that not only
for me, but also for my family and the supporters. So, for me, every day is important.
How was the shoot today?
It was great! I am always ready to joke and have fun, so it was easy for me.
Did you manage to wash out all that powder?
Yes, I took a shower! But listen, it was okay for me, really great!
It seemed like you were feeling comfortable...
I tried to be in a good mood so the result was better. I told myself,
‘If you try to do it the right way, you will go home as soon as you fi nish!"
Where do you take inspiration for your style off the fi eld?
I usually just like to dress in a really casual hip hop style.
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What does victory mean to you?
For me, victory is really important, especially in some moments, but it is
not everything. If I am playing well, I am satisfi ed, even if I lose in the end.
Which word would you choose to describe the meaning of victory?
Triumph.
What has been your greatest victory on and off the court?
The final in Wimbledon is the one that caused the greatest stir.
Outside the court, I am lucky to have a great family – that is a kind of victory.
Were you familiar with Rankin before today’s shoot?
No. But it was different from other shoots I’ve done, particularly the powder.
I had fun, but am glad that we have fi nished because I am covered in powder!
Who, in your opinion, is the athlete that best represents victory.
Tiger Woods.
How was the shoot today?
It was really special with all that powder and the set they have built.
Can you talk us through the sense of victory and what it means to you?
The most important thing is the personal satisfaction, and the incredible excitement
that you feel in that special moment.
How was the Olympic victory different from the others?
The victory at the Olympics has a special meaning because you are representing
your country. For me, representing Spain is a very special victory indeed!
And where would you place it in the list of your accomplishments?
I think that I would place the Olympics next to the fi ve grand slam titles.
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In terms of your career, what has been your most
victorious moment to date?
I guess winning Best Pop Video at the British Music
Video Awards for Kate Nash’s “Foundations” last
year. Katy Perry’s “I Kissed A Girl” was also nominated
for fi ve awards at the MTV MVAs. Knowing
that all my industry peers genuinely voted for my
winning made it feel more rewarding somehow.
How does winning make you feel inside?
Sincerely, it made me a little silly. When I went up
to get my Best Video Award, I was so excited and
shocked that I found myself a giggly mess on stage,
barely able to string a thankful sentence together.
Nor wipe the massive smile on my face.
Tell us about someone else’s victory that has
inspired you and why?
I’m not sure that I’ve actually ever looked at someone
else’s work and felt inspired to give it a shot,
too. I grew up on Michel Gondry, Spike Jonze and
Paul Thomas Anderson, how could I ever compare
my work with that? I just made what I wanted to
make, following my instinct.
Is concept celebrated more than style?
If it’s pop, concept is less important as the focus is
usually on the “look” but every artist you work with
approaches the making of their video differently, so
it’s unique every time. When it’s indie music, it’s
usually the other way round.
What has inspired you most in your life?
The most inspiring thing that way outnumbers any
book, fi lm or art work I’ve come across recently
was travelling through Egypt over the New Year.
Experiencing something so epic fi rst-hand was just
exhilarating and amazing.
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Dazed & Confused: In terms of your career, what
has been your most victorious moment to date?
Richard Milward: Holding my fi rst published novel
in my paws, after ten years of nail-biting graft.
Or maybe being mistaken for a rock star by Lisa
Stansfi eld in the Colony Room Club, London.
In a wider sense, what does ‘winning’ mean
to you, and how do you fi nd it inspiring?
When I surprise myself with my own writing – when
the subconscious manages to spew itself all over the
page, and not end up a complete mess.
How does winning make you feel inside?
Like all my internal organs are doing the conga.
And like life isn’t being a completely cruel bastard,
for once.
Tell us about someone else’s victory that
has inspired you and why?
Being asked to write the piece about teenage
boxers for Dazed was a recent inspiration. To see
young lads so dedicated to a punishing sport is
really awe-inspiring. I try my best to apply that
sort of pressure on myself, but it doesn’t come
close to getting seven shades of shit knocked
out of you in a ring.
What’s your next victorious project?
My second novel Ten Storey Love Song is out in
February. I’m already grappling with the third novel
– it’s going to be quite dark and dreamy, and partial
to giving me nightmares. Also, I’m trying to adapt
Apples for the screen. It’s going to be fruity.
Does the critical acclaim change the way you
approach writing?
I don’t really feel the pressure. I’m feeling more and
more excited about my writing. In a way, the critical
acclaim of Apples has helped – it’s quite satisfying
knowing that I can write however I want, and that
there’s actually an audience for it out there.
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What does winning meant to you, and how do
you fi nd it inspiring?
There was a moment when it dawned on me that
I am only able to work on what makes me feel
good. No compromise. This realisation provides
never-ending inspiration..
Is it painful to lose or can you gain something
from the experience?
It can be painful to lose but you can also gain
from losing. When I look back at my career, I can
see that the things I have lost, I didn’t really need.
You don’t really lose at all, you just learn.
Tell us about someone else’s victory that has
inspired you and why?
Miles Davis, Charlie Parker – all the musicians
of that era inspire me. They made a decision to
create the kind of music they wanted to play, for
themselves. They succeeded by not giving a fuck
and staying true to their soul.
Is it really the taking part that counts, or is it
all about the winning?
I play to win. I need to be passionate about
something to be involved in it. An FM licence
is my goal at Rinse right now, and I won’t give
up till I win.
Do you fi nd victory within risk?
We are constantly trying to fi nd new music and
new DJs. We have to take risks in the direction of
the radio. Rinse is peerless. We can only look to
ourselves for direction.
What has most inspired your life and why?
Pirate radio in London and the music that it
generates – acid house, hardcore, jungle, garage,
grime, dubstep and so on. It is a never-ending
stream of expression from the London streets. |
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Dazed & Confused: In terms of your career, what
has been your most victorious moment to date?
Yannis: I guess completing an album, or getting
signed – they were the things I dreamed of when
I was growing up. I still don’t feel successful,
though. It’s an insatiable appetite isn’t it? So, the
real answer is that the extermination of this way
of thinking is the real victory. It’s unlikely I’ll ever
manage that, though, so L-O-S-E-R!
In a wider sense, what does ‘winning’ mean to you,
and how do you fi nd it inspiring?
I am excited about the way ideas permeate through
culture with greater ease than ever before. The very
new, and very real possibility of crossing physical
boundaries and having dialogues with the whole
world, rather than just your locale, instantaneously
is one that can’t be overlooked. The vainglorious
thought of having some lasting impact.
How do you personally celebrate a big victory?
By bingeing on chemicals while hunting cats
with harpoons.
Tell us about someone else’s victory that has
inspired you and why?
Any loser who picks himself or herself up and
carries on – that’s a victory.
Is it really the taking part that counts, or is it
all about the winning?
It’s probably better to not take part. You’ll only
regret it, even if you win!
What has been the biggest challenge
you have faced in your career and how
did you deal with that?
I think I may be in the midst of it. More likely,
though, it’s all the years we spent as a band before
any success became apparent. Just 11 broke boys
escaping Oxford and touring round the country.
Who is the most competitive member of the band?
We all stopped playing sport for a reason! |
Dazed & Confused: In terms of your career, what
has been your most victorious moment to date?
Thom Murphy: There have been many high points
so far. The latest is getting to a point were I can
totally rely on instinct. By becoming a creative
partner with Ebru Ercon, we have launched
a label called New Power Studio. For me, this is
a real victory.
In a wider sense, what does ‘winning’ mean to you,
and how do you fi nd it inspiring?
I don’t really think of it in competitive terms, but
being in a position where you can do things creative,
fun and stimulating means you’re already winning
in some way. If other people enjoy what I do as well,
then that is added bonus.
How do you personally celebrate a big victory?
Wouldn’t you like to know!
Is it painful to lose, or can you gain something
from the experience?
Yes. But I usually make it into a sick and funny story
to hide my pain.
Tell us about someone else’s victory that has
inspired you and why?
I know this a real cliché, but I would have to be
a bit mad to not acknowledge the huge signifi cance
of the fi rst black American president.
Do you set personal challenges?
All of the time. I once wrote on my hand, ‘You’re
a vegetarian,’ because I kept forgetting and eating
ham sandwiches.
What has inspired you most in your life and why?
At this moment in time, Isa Genzken, West Side
Story, Jean-Paul Goude, Tom Wood, Singing in the
Rain, James Richards.
At which moment during the creative process
do you know you have succeeded?
When ideas that at fi rst might seem jarring and
complex, end up looking effortless.
Visually, what immediately comes to mind
in regards to “victory”?
My face projected onto the Houses of Parliament! |
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