Eric Prydz says leaving Swedish House Mafia was “the best thing that could have happened.”

In a new interview with Zane Lowe of Beats 1, the host referred to Prydz as one of the founding members, which may come as a shock to those not up on the supergroup’s history. Either way, things seemed to work out in favor of both projects.

Here’s what Prydz had to say:

Am I?

I was there at the start, but I think the Swedish House Mafia then was something totally different from what it became when Steve [Angello], Axwell and [Sebastian Ingrosso] decided to really take that project on. It was the four of us, we all grew up together in Stockholm, we were best friends, inseparable, all with studios in the same area making this new type of electro house — or whatever it was — and really pushing each other, and inspiring each other.

I was definitely part of that, and the name Swedish House Mafia was there then. I do think that the best thing that could have happened was what happened, which was Eric was removed and moved to London, because my music and the way that I look at music was quite different from what they liked. I think I would have just held the whole thing back, and I’m so proud of them.

Knowing the distinct, vastly different styles of each project, we’d have to agree. And, we wouldn’t want to live in a world where there was no Eric Prydz, producer extraordinaire. We believe dance music needs both him and Swedish House Mafia to fully thrive.

Watch below.

Eric Prydz – Beats 1 – Apple Music

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Photo via Rukes.com