Fatboy Slim's rapport with music creation has undergone a transformation. During a fan Q&A session featured in The Sun, the artist behind the iconic hit "Praise You," whose given name is Norman Cook, confessed that he had lost his "fervor for crafting tunes," two decades after the release of his final studio album, Palookaville. "My last two singles were spin-offs from live performances," said the 61-year-old Fatboy Slim. "They were created merely as additional attractions during my sets." He further elaborated, "I had melodies exclusive to my repertoire that captivated audiences, leading us to clear the samples and eventually release them."
Addressing how his bond with music has evolved over the years, Fatboy Slim shared, "The truth is, you can't compose music unless you're deeply passionate about it, a passion that fuels you from dawn till dusk." He continued, "I just don't seem to feel that same intensity anymore. DJing and organizing events still ignite that spark in me, but my passion for composing music has waned."
The creator of the timeless anthem "Right Here, Right Now" revealed that he spent half a decade battling internal conflicts over this shift. "But then I realized, 'Everyone loves my DJ sets, and I enjoy them more, so I'll stick to that,'" Fatboy Slim said. He added, "I'm holding out hope that one day, the fire for composing will reignite within me."
Moreover, Fatboy Slim discussed how his 24-year-old son, Woody, whom he shares with his late ex-wife Zoe Ball, chose to embark on a DJing career. "Throughout the years Woody lived with me, music was always his passion—eventually, he got deeply into clubbing," he recounted. "I often asked him if he wanted to be a DJ, and he replied, 'I've thought about it, but I'd always be living in your shadow. I'd forever be known as your son.'"
This mindset shifted when Woody went to university in Bristol. "Two weeks later, he called and said, 'Dad, I've started DJing,'" Fatboy Slim shared. "I could have mentioned him in the industry all those years, but he couldn't do it while living with me. He wanted to carve his own path," he added. "I believe both of us harbor a deep fear of nepotism."
