What In todays World does DJ Mean

Well, your definition of a DJ is spot on, for most of us over 35 🙂 . For the young ones, the DJ monniker is associated with what you and I (started at age 14 in 1977) would call a producer/DJ. Guys that produce their own tracks and sound and reach (super)star status.

Add to that the fact that wanting to be a DJ just for the sake of being a DJ is now a viable path for just about everyone and his mother, due to the low to non-existing tresholds into “the business”. Save a few hundred bucks, buy a controller and set of cans, raid online places for music and presto! you are a DJ.

Who has the right definition? It’s hard to say these days. There have been some recent articles over on the blog on the subject.

Clearly in my eyes you qualify as a (succesful) DJ. And also is clear that love of music is what triggered it. But that just somehow doesn’t seem to be the way DJs are viewed these days. I am guessing that the sheer endless supply of music available to everyone at any given time plays a part in there somewhere too. Back in the day, DJs were the guys with the hottest and newest tunes. They’d have stuff way before Joe Public heard it on the radio. Those days are gone too.

Perhaps the best path to walk is to ask her what SHE thinks the definition of a DJ is. At least you know what question you are supposed to answer 😀 .

Leroy

This was a great read for myself as lately I’ve just come back to playing tunes at home for a hobby.
Music is a great passion of mine all genres. I grew up in Melbourne Australia and in the early 90’s was very much a dance music fan. Back in those days you tried to get into the best clubs in the city to see you favourite DJ play. Even one of my close friends had gigs in those clubs, I remember lugging crates of vinyl upstairs and downstairs to venues and meeting and knowing a few of Melbourne’s top DJ’s. I remember listen to the only radio station that played dance music on a Saturday night before we went out and recording it to tape to listen to in the car.
Recently in my 40’s I’ve come back into playing. Having just one at the moment rp8000, traktor, and my Mac. So confusing to go from vinyl 10 or so years ago.
Anyway my point to this thread.
I went to some fashion clothing opening (doing the whole good boyfriend thing by supporting the better half). I see a very pretty girl behind the decks all digital equipment new CDJ’s ect ect and I watched her plug in her iPod and press play. She didn’t know I was watching, and watching her move the platter and not even touching a mixer. this upset me a little. It looked to me like a scam.
To me a DJ played to a croud and read their reaction and played to it. To me that’s what I enjoyed the most was playing to others and playing my music they wanted to hear and dance and move to.
After a few weeks past I spoke to the fashion designer and asked him how much did the DJ cost him for the night, his reply was $500 Aust. To me plugging in an iPod and letting it play to a previously recorded set was not DJing. But it is just my opinion.
If I was to hire a DJ I want them to play, set the mood, go with the croud and also take them on a musical journey.
In my honest opinion I once new what a DJ did back in the day. But today well I’m not sure……
I understand your confusion mate..
Dustin