How did you feel posing for MAXIM for the first time?
Surprisingly, very comfortable. It wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be. I’m usually pretty comfortable in my own skin and not shy at all.
What made you decide to do this shoot?
The timing was right. In the past I was a little bit more of a tomboy and had no desire to dress up and take photos in lingerie. Now I’m a lot more feminine and more confident. I basically did it because I wanted to and also thought it would be a bit of fun.
How did you feel afterwards?
Exhausted. I definitely wouldn’t make a good model. It doesn’t seem like it would be hard to do but holding yourself in different positions that are not exactly that comfortable is very difficult.
Tell us about your background.
My parents are from a small island off the coast of Mauritius called Rodrigues, with a population of around 40,000. Both mum and dad came to Australia about 40 years ago.
Your real name is Angelique Meunier. How did your stage name come about?
It’s a rare breed of cat. When I was coming up with DJ names I didn’t want to use something obvious or that someone else already had. I wanted something representative of a powerful woman and there’s just something about cats and their personality. They’re very strong, independent, they know what they want, know how to get it, and they’re charming when they want to be. So I looked up cat breeds and Havana Brown stood out.
Angelique Meunier sounds more exotic.
Yes, but nobody pronounces it properly, especially in Australia. Plus, it’s too pretty, too sweet. I don’t feel like it represents who I am onstage but offstage it suits me to a T. As Havana Brown I’m more fierce and determined and know what I want, but offstage I’m incredibly indecisive. As Angelique, I’m also a lot sweeter and laugh a lot more than people think I do.
How did you get into DJing?
I was in London in an R&B/Dance group called Fishbowl. It was me and three guys and we’d finished recording a whole album, but the group fell apart just before we released our first single. So I started to look at other avenues. I was in London, I was broke, it was a depressing time in my life, I was out partying in clubs every night, and it hit me that I should DJ – you play music, you entertain, and make people feel a certain way. I love that. My friend from the band was a DJ and started teaching me how to mix. I didn’t pay rent for a month, bought a pair of decks, and it flowed from there.
It seems every hot girl wants to be a DJ these days. Is the competition tough?
I don’t feel there’s competition. I’m happy there are a lot more female DJs out there. Everyone has their own vibe and sound and that’s cool. It’s amazing to see how it’s transformed over the years, and it’s definitely been commercialised a lot more, but I’m getting booked for who I am and the way I play – not because I’m a female DJ.
You’ve toured with some big names – Britney Spears, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Enrique Iglesias, Chris Brown, et al. Who did you get on with best?
Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull. I don’t know what it is about the Latinos but they know how to have fun, they’re down to earth, and they want everyone around them to enjoy themselves. They always invited me onto their private jets while touring, which is like going into their home, their personal lives. I had the best time with them.
When you start to type Havana Brown into Google, the words ‘big banana’ follow. Are you comfortable with this?
Yeah, absolutely! I guess that song is a little risqué for some people but it’s a really fun jam and it’s done so well. People told me I couldn’t release it because some people wouldn’t understand and they’d be offended, but sometimes we can’t take ourselves too seriously and need to have a bit of a laugh. I’m really proud of “Big Banana” – it went platinum in Australia and was No.1 on the US Billboard Dance Chart.
Tell us about your new single “Spread A Little Love”.
“Big Banana” is the side of me that loves a bit of crude humour. I love people poking fun and having a laugh at themselves. “Spread A Little Love” is a part of me I don’t talk about too much because it should just be done.
How do you mean?
I don’t understand how people can put so much negative energy out there. I’m not perfect – trust me, I have some bad days – but I’m constantly thinking about how we can make ourselves and others feel better. There’s all this social networking these days and everyone is subjected to so much negativity – and we’re used to it. That shouldn’t be the case.
What’s the freakiest Tweet you’ve been sent?
I haven’t really gotten one but the weirdest thing is that when I released “Big Banana”, I thought I’d actually get guys tweeting me pictures of their penises – but I haven’t received one. Not that I’m unhappy about it, since I’m actually quite scared to see a Twitpic of a penis.
You’re mainly based in LA. What’s your cure for homesickness?
Skype. It’s a godsend. I miss Australia like crazy! I miss family and friends and the general culture but because I’ve been constantly travelling for so many years, I’m used to being away from home.
Your birthday is on Valentine’s Day. Does this mean you get twice the presents?
Absolutely! I demand them. I love having my birthday on Valentine’s Day because when I’m out celebrating I feel everyone is excited and in a great mood because there’s a lot of love in the air and they’re happy. Do I get twice the action? All I will say is that I have a lot of fun on my birthday.
Noted. How did you celebrate it this year?
I drove to Vegas, went wild and crazy, stayed there for a couple of nights… it was a heap of fun. Vegas is always crazy for me because there’s just something about entering the desert. It’s like you can do whatever you want and nobody will notice.
How often do guys hit on you?
When I’m DJing, practically never, but they do try to pash me when I walk past them during the night. Some guys ask to take a photo with me and when they go to take the photo they try to quickly kiss me on the lips. I’m like, “Whoa, you cheeky mofo!”
How should a guy approach you?
Come up to me and be charming and endearing – not cocky, overly loud, or extravagantly boisterous. I like guys that have a quiet confidence about themselves.
Finally, what’s something men should always know about women?
That we like big bananas? No, that’s not true at all. You don’t have to have a big banana – you just have to make sure you know how to work it!
Santi Pintado
For the full feature and images grab the August 2013 issue of MAXIM.
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