Laidback Luke isn't just some international EDM superstar. He's also a kung-fu master.
But like all truly dangerous martial artists (and genuinely famous DJ-producers), he prefers to undersell his neck-snapping and ass-kicking skills.
"I'm not really a master yet," Luke insists, modestly. "But I am practicing at a high level, yes."
See also: Laidback Luke on His Kung Fu Takeover Class: "You Can Even Come in Furry Boots!"
Despite this show of humility and grace, the Dutch DJ does readily acknowledge his superiority among Planet Earth's 35- to 40-year-old kung-fu fighters.
"It's true," he admits, "that I actually won five medals, four gold and one silver, at the championships of kung-fu in Hong Kong. And this is like the Olympics of kung-fu. There's like 10,000 competitors. So it was a dream come true."
But how does one become an expert at both beat-matching and Tiger Claw-ing?
Well, Luke explains, you learn to fight, beginning at the age of 8. "I definitely come from the Karate Kid generation."
You become obsessed with dance music as a teen. "The first track that inspired me was Technotronic's 'Pump Up the Jam'!"
And you practice and teach these sacred disciplines. "I basically train for kung-fu about one and a half hours per day, and I'm also a trainer. Oh, and I've also got a new Pioneer DJ tutorial on YouTube right now."
Obviously, though, it isn't the medals or the money or the glory that's the goal. It's balance and well-being and self-empowerment.
"The kung-fu and the DJing really adds up for me," Luke explains. "It helps me feel energized and it helps me deal with stress.
"Basically, when I come out of a kung-fu session," and presumably a DJ sesh, "I feel like I can take on the world!"
Laidback Luke's Musically Driven Bus Tour. With D.O.D. Friday, October 18, at Story, 136 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. The show starts at 11 p.m. and tickets cost $35 to $45 plus fees via wantickets.com. Ages 21 and up. Call 305-538-2424 or visit storymiami.com.
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