Beatport secret weapons?

The hard reality is there are a lot of younger, amateur DJs who simply rely on the Beatport Top 10 lists to shop…and never explore.

I would say though I notice that many who complain about DJs who just buy from the Top 10 are also constantly complaining about how their “innovative” and “underground” sounds they love never get any play in the big clubs…or the clubs are loaded with too much mainstream pop.

I get it…but that’s life. I look at the “Secret Weapons” partially as a means to push DJs to try new stuff, but also as a means for Beatport to slap a “coolness” label onto some new tunes…so those DJs who buy from the BP Top 10 might then be buying also from the SW lists…thus more sales.

It’s a tricky game now being a DJ. You’re wanting to show crowds new sounds, stand out on your own, and build something…but you’re dealing with a scene that’s telling you to stop thinking and just play “hits”. Everyone looks for a balance, but it can get frustrating. Lord knows I see many DJs complaining when people wanted to hear Gangnam Style in the clubs.

Kent Sandvik, post: 32054, member: 3967 wrote: I would not be surprise if we see a split between commercial DJs who just do it for a living (top-40) and innovative DJs/producers who love music and take less lucrative gigs just because that’s what they want to do.

Again…it always happens.

You see some guys who make the career out of DJing. They play the bars, mainstream clubs, weddings, etc. They may or may not like the mainstream music…but they see it all as a paycheck.

And the rest? Many end up falling into a hobby mode or just plain quitting in some way, shape, or form. They grow so disgruntled that the “dream” of playing the “cool music” to a large, receptive crowd never happened. Some quit completely and sell it all, others find the love again in other areas.

A few stick with it…push, produce, network, promote, build a brand…and they find success in some way.

My point to this and to all the DJs is to find what you LOVE about DJing…and stay with it. If what you love won’t make you money, then find a normal career to pay the bills and stay with what you love…or fight/push to make it lucrative.

I play a lot of “secret songs.” I don’t use beatport. I also play lots of hits (i.e. Gangnam Style). I kind of like that song.

Everyone is happy.

#1 on the endangered species list: The “art of diggin” Dj