TIFF Features DJ D-Nice and Anthony Mandler "In Conversation" about Music & Film

In the third night of the Toronto International Film Festival, another engaging installment of the TIFF Bell Digital Talks series went live on tiff.net. Musical expert and photographer, Derrick Jones (aka DJ D-Nice) and film and music video director Anthony Mandler were the featured guests "In Conversation" with host Talia Schlanger. The discussion lasted just under an hour, and gave viewers an overview of the artists' careers, connecting their talents and experiences along the way.

The conversation started with MTV, for both young men, growing up in New York, drawing impressionable inspiration from the innovative combination of music and visuals that was captivating young folks around the world.

For D-Nice, it was Run DMC. For Anthony, Madonna. The integration of genres, fashion, visuals, and sound captured their imaginations and were instrumental in how their personal and professional lives developed in the years to come.

"MTV was everything to me," said D-Nice, who like Anthony, was intrigued and motivated by all genres of music for various aesthetic reasons. "It's nothing for me to play Bette Midler and Meatloaf now in a middle of a hip hop set, because back when I was watching MTV...if I wanted to see a Run DMC video, I had to first sit through all of the other videos."

D-Nice's Club Quarantine became an instant light within the unfamiliar darkness of the pandemic shutdown, as individuals were forced to stay indoors and find entertainment and comfort from their devices. Seeking solace, D-Nice took to the turntables to play music for himself and a few friends...and the eclectic mix of feel-good vibes and pure love drew in thousands of people to his Instagram feed. Night after night, friends, family, and fans around the world locked into D-Nice for hours at a time, taking part in what will has surely been one of the most memorable and enjoyable events of this crazy year. It felt historic even as it was going down.

His biggest night of Club Quarantine, he performed for over a million people, with at least 100,000 consistently logged in. Admittedly, playing everything "from Jay-Z to Kenny Rogers," D-Nice said that he often likes to paint a picture with his music.

"I don't really prepare sets--it's always on the fly. It's always about the first song that I play. That's the song that sets the tone," said D-Nice.

A true lover of music, anyone who has logged into a Club Quarantine session (that continue to this day, at any hour, on any day), will find themselves grooving to current hits, nostalgic oldies, and frequently deep cuts. There are artist tributes (with the actual artist live in the comments), and all kinds of treats. Technical displays and all the feels, from good, to groovy, to sensual, to reflective. Anthony commended his friend on his ability to move seamlessly from genre to genre, and the two artists found similarities in their creative processes. 

Anthony, an innovative film and television director, has also directed countless music videos. Most notably, he has worked with Rihanna on many of her memorable visual masterpieces. "Anyone that creates images will tell you that it starts with character and photo," said Anthony, whose debut as a film director took place in 2018 with "Monster," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. 

"That aesthetic that becomes yours...is earned. It takes time," said Anthony, who likes to focus his images on how it makes viewers feel. Like D-Nice, Anthony is also a passionate photographer, a skill they both credit for being at the root of their abilities. They are both intrigued by character, and story.

Along with storytelling, the joining of music and film, music and culture, and culture and film are all integrated. Anthony spoke about the power of hip hop, and how the music has particularly shifted culture in all facets. This is a shift that is even evident in filmography.

D-Nice recalled the era when movies were driven by the soundtrack, and musical contributions. "I didn't see New Jack City until after I heard the soundtrack," he confessed. He also highlighted the movies Juice and Waiting to Exhale for their prolific soundtracks.

The conversation between friends, and the moderator Talia, was enlightening, because through their distinct crafts, both artists expressed the same processes and inspirations along the way. Now 20+ years deep into their careers, they are able to take their skills and implement them in a way that can affect change, culture, and even history.

"It's brilliant to be able to have a relationship with Anthony," D-Nice said, and it was evident why, as their dialogue continued and ideas were articulated. They even hinted at a forthcoming collaborative project that will bring their passions and expertise together, no doubt in an amazingly unique presentation.

"We have to look at how music heals people. How do we look at this next phase in our lives...which isn't going to be like how it was pre-COVID," said Anthony. "How do we take Club Quarantine, but bring it to people? We're all traumatized...and we're looking at music as a way to mend wounds."

According to D-Nice, the phenomenon of Club Quarantine was his attempt to find internal peace. As a natural presenter of good music, good spirits, and good energy...the vibe quickly caught on, with everyone from Michelle Obama, to Ellen, and every hip hop, pop, and even dancehall artists logging in to take part in the movement. Actors. Politicians. Everyone passed through. Some became regulars. Halle Berry, quickly crowned the Queen.

D-Nice reflected on the historical night in March, just days after America and Canada had shut down, with the pandemic suddenly becoming a very real threat. We were all terrified to some extent...and so many of us found ourselves listening to D-Nice to lift our spirits, and distract our worries. "As an artist, you spend your lifetime performing for people. That night, March 21, was so incredible to me, because that was the first time I felt that people were actually coming to me. They're coming to hear me play! Whether it was Michelle Obama, Rihanna, or Anthony Mandler...they wanted to be there. You had to want to be there."

D-Nice acknowledged that Club Quarantine changed the world, in that moment, with music. And love. It was a shared experience like we had never before experienced. I was there. I was addicted. I even bought the t-shirt, to show my support for his efforts and commitment to our musical souls!

Prior to the pandemic, D-Nice was a highly sought after DJ, playing music award after-parties, shows for the SuperBowl, Oscars, and the most exclusive political and celebrity soirees, like Barack Obama's Inauguration Ball, and Diddy's 50 Birthday Party.

Prior to the pandemic, Anthony was still directing. Music videos, a part of his deep cultural legacy. He reflected on his time working with Rihanna. 

"When I met Rihanna, I realized she was an actress. She had Robyn, and she had Rihanna...and she understood that at a very young age. Rihanna could have no boundaries, if she wanted, and there is a clear distance between them," said Anthony, noting that musicians are in a unique position where they are able to live the same character all the time, in syncope with their real lives--unlike film characters. He commended Rihanna for pushing lines, "jumping off ledges," and successfully carving out her own lane.

Drawing parallels between their personal artistry, and praising the works of various artists around them, and who have influenced them, the two friends concluded their conversation with Talia by sharing lessons that they have learned, passing them on to emerging artists, at the request of an online viewer.

D-NICE: He learned to just be who he is. Period. He confessed to spending many years trying to emulate other DJs, to achieve the same successes--whether in EDM or Vegas residencies--he hoped for the same opportunities. He didn't learn to truly be himself until this particular experience, where he was just playing from his heart, and playing what he loved. "The fact that that resonated with people around the world, was the greatest lesson: to be authentically who you are." He said he will never go back to DJ-ing the same way again, now that he has had the Club Quarantine experience. "People just want me to be who I am. It's endearing."

ANTHONY: "I would say that 50 is the new 30; in that light, there is no timeline." He encouraged emerging artists to be aware when making mistakes, to analyze themselves, realize their authenticity, and focus on what they really want. "Embrace your mistakes, and know that it's a long journey," he said, noting that many great filmmakers didn't create their greatest pieces until their 40's and 50's. "For people who are able to make people feel something--audibly and physically--it says something about having life experience first," said Anthony.

Needless to say, whatever project they have in progress right now, it's bound to feel good, sound good, and definitely look good. They promised it would be something that would "bring music as a form of healing around the world."

Also worth mentioning as they thanked the sponsor Bron Studios and the presenters, TIFF:

"I love T.O.!" (from D-Nice).

"We love Tee-Dot!" (from Anthony).

Talia was a great host, and helped to lead the conversation seamlessly between the two artists, as well as the audience questions. It was another inspirational Bell Digital Talk, with two gentlemen who have so carefully shaped parts of our culture. These deep dives really resonate, as an artist, as a writer, and as someone who openly receives energy from those committed to enhancing our experiences.

Thank you, TIFF!

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Written by Stacey Marie Robinson for Kya Publishing's blog.