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| Ronson is the cover star of the June issue of Esquire |
The new look Esquire has hit shelves today with a fresh new façade and a cover featuring one of the suavest men in music – the one and only Mr Mark Ronson. The walking hit-maker is this decade’s must-have collaborator; known for his sharp suits, top-notch production skills and well… that quiff.
“Never underestimate Ronson,” Zane Lowe says to Esquire of his belief in the music mogul, “Even if he applies this laidback vibe, he is fully-engaged and in love with the process.”
I was privileged enough to go behind the scenes at the magazine before the issues release – making sure not to reveal any secrets mind – which allowed me to see the redesign in all it’s pantone glory. It’s certainly got a more sophisticated feel to it, although for some reason I feel as though I should put on some bowling shoes, go all retro and hang out in a 60s diner whilst reading it. It’s a great move for the magazine, distancing itself further from some of the more ‘sleazy’ mainstream men’s mags and reinforcing their ‘style and substance’ slogan with an air of sophistication.
It had been four years since our last record. I thought, ‘If I want a shot of anyone listening to this record or caring about it, it’s got to be better than everyone else’s shit.’” – Mark Ronson
Delving inside, it becomes clear that Ronson is the perfect choice of cover star to pair with its redesign. “All I want to do is make good music,” he confesses to Esquire’s Johnny Davis, “…that’s what my heroes did and that’s what makes me happy.” Ronson goes on to explain how this album was a make-or-break point in his career; after the buzz surrounding his string of hit collaborations had worn off, well, let’s just say he wasn’t so much the one to watch as the one to avoid.
“I was aware the music had to be the best thing I’d done.” remarked Ronson, “I did that song for the Olympics… It had been four years since our last record. I thought, ‘If I want a shot of anyone listening to this record or caring about it, it’s got to be better than everyone else’s shit.’”
“I found some cool black paper and a gold pen. I was, like, ‘Drake seems like he would like black paper with a gold pen.’” – Mark Ronson
The hit-maker goes on to talk about everything from Pulitzer Prize-winning novelists to the loss of Amy Winehouse and even the time he went all-out in an attempt to get Drake onboard during the recording of Uptown Special.
“Drake wasn’t actually on this record, but there was this song I wanted him on so I sent him this handwritten letter. I’m, like, ‘Drake seems like the kind of person who would appreciate a handwritten letter.’” he comments, “I found some cool black paper and a gold pen. I was, like, ‘Drake seems like he would like black paper with a gold pen.’” Needless to say, his effort went unrewarded when Drake revealed he didn’t actually like the track to begin with.
You can read the full interview on the Esquire site and be sure to check out the new-look issue that is available at newsstands everywhere now.
