Ibiza Classics: Jose Padilla, 1998 Interview
Watch the video for this interview...
1998 was the year that Manumission was at it's peak. Sky had done the documentary and the island was at burtsing point. Jose Padilla sat down with us to talk about the state of the island at the time...
Jose, what's it like in Ibiza at the moment?
I don't really know. I don't like what I see very much. It's a formula, it's all one person and it's all the same.
So why do you think this is happening then?
It's money, money, money, marketing money, greed.
Has it done a lot for the economy though, with a lot of people coming over?
Yes, that's what I mean about it being money. Everyone just shuts up because everyone is getting a piece of the cake. If you have a business here, you are going to get money because of all the people.
How do the locals feel about all these UK clubbers coming to their island?
This is a tourist place and that is how they make their money, so they are welcome. However I wish the quality of the people was a bit better, that's all.
What has Manumission done for the island ?
I don't really like Manumission, I think it's a lot of crap. I have a different idea of what a club should be. A club is about music, lighting, and good service, I think they are confusing the kids, ripping them off and destroying the scene. I saw the kids coming of Manumission, sitting on the road and there faces were just..... Nothing happened.
It's a lot of money to get into the clubs, why is that? Do you think it's just because the promoters can get away with it or do you think they are offering value for money?
It's greed. If you think about it, it's 8000pts to get in and you feed 7000 people into a club, it's outrageous, especially to a kid who is only 20 and has been dreaming of coming to Ibiza for a week, and saving money all year round, it's sad.
So how do you see in the future for the island ?
I don't know, I just don't bother anymore. I do my own thing, go to my own places and just avoid all of that stuff. There are good nights, I admit that some of the nights are interesting, with good Dj's and a good vibe, but most of it is all the same.
What about you? What about your future?
My future? Today I am going to the beach with my girlfriend. Tomorrow? I don't know.
But where do you see yourself in a couple of years time?
I see myself still making music, definitely. I don't like to think years ahead. Now I'm thinking of my next album and starting to get idea's together, but maybe in a couple of years time I will just get fed up, grow tomatoes at the back of the house and be a farmer. I really don't know.
You're still involved with the Café Del Mar, what about that?
Yes, that's changed as well, the whole island has changed. I don't know what's wrong. Maybe it's me, I'm getting old and I see it a different way. If I was 20 then maybe I would enjoy it, but I see the people, and they're just standing there. There's no movement, no colours, no class, no style. Something is wrong. Just go out and look for yourself.
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