Dov Elkabas, also known as The Prophet, is celebrating his 25-year jubilee as a hard dance legend in 2011. This September, the Scantraxx trailblazer will mark the milestone with his Australia fans at the upcoming edition of Defqon.1 Festival. Expect something special, as the man himself tells us.

This year, we’re celebrating the 25-year anniversary of your career in the hard dance scene. How does it feel at this point in time about how far you have come in your career?
It feels like I’m getting old. No seriously, it feels great! I see what is happening around me, and it feels good, really.

For many, you have come to be affectionately referred to as the Godfather of Hardstyle. What do you think about the title?
It’s an honour to be called the Godfather of Hardstyle. I’ve worked hard (and still work hard) for myself and for the scene, but in my opinion there are more people who deserve the title.

You’ve had a long and extremely successful career in the hard dance scene. What made you convert to hard dance music back in the ‘90s? Originally I read somewhere you were playing hip-hop at clubs and fell in love with hard dance. Is this true?
Back in the days there was no such thing as ‘hard dance’, there was only ‘house’. What made me love the music was the simplicity. I loved that. I actually still love that aspect in music.

What has the journey been like so far and is there any pressure to perform to the standards and expectations of your many fans?
The journey has been great, really! I love the music, love the fans, love travelling. I love my life! And yes, people will always expect something, that’s everywhere. So we have to shock them, right?

What difficulties have you faced as a do starting out in industry, and trying to make a name for yourself?
None (laughs). There were no DJs back then. There was no hype; we just did what we had to do – play the music you love, and do it good!

What has been one of your highlights throughout your career so far?
There have been are so many great moments in my career. The top ones would be Defqon.1 2007, Mysteryland 2005, Sensation Black 2006, Energy 1994 and many, many more awesome parties.

What is it like having to juggle multiple roles, looking after artists, producing, playing at festivals. How do you manage it all and does it ever get too much?
Yes, it does get too much sometimes. There are so many things to look after. But I always get such a good feeling when I see the artists I look after are doing so well. Look at Headhunterz, look at Brennan Heart, look at Wildstylez. They have grown big time in the scene and there is no stopping them.

Does everyone at Scantraxx sneak peeks at each other’s tracks before they are released?
[Laughs] No is the answer. We have different ‘groups’ among the artists. It’s funny. The people you talk a lot to, they get to hear the newest music first! But I think that happens everywhere in any business.

Is it harder for aspiring DJs and producers these days to get a foothold in the industry?
For sure it is. The level of producing is much higher as it was ever before. Nowadays, being a DJ isn’t enough anymore, you need to be a producer too.

What do you think of Australia and the dance scene here, and what can people expect at this year’s Defqon.1 Festival?
What I think is that Aussies just needed a different way of having a party. Usually you have a DJ, lights, some decorations, and that’s it. With Q-dance you’ll have more, more, more…and even more! They look at partying it in a completely different way. It’s like Apple looks at their phones in a complete different way to others, right?

What’s your favourite part about coming to Australia? The weather? The food? The Fans? The beaches?
I think it’s the general feeling from Australia. You are all so relaxed so chilled-out. The feeling I have in Europe is so different. It feels so much more stressed and hyped-up. That’s why I love you guys!

Just recently a lot of Australian hardstyle artists have been picked up by major record labels in Netherlands (Scantraxx, M!D!FY & Fusion). Do you believe that Australians are making an impact in the hard dance scene around the world?
Yeah! Big time! Down under you are so aware of what’s happening in the rest of the world. That is why I love to visit Australia too. So even when I come over there and play my shizzle, you all know what it is that I play. I love that. It makes me feel at home.