10 things not to say to a DJ

Here's an amusing song from Chicago-area house DJ Andre Harris: "10 Things Not to Say to A DJ." A lot of DJs hear this song and think "right on." But allow me to add an 11th: can you please stop just playing records and actually make some music?

Records and gear don't make a DJ.

(Credit: Jimbothechicken via Wikipedia)

I'm not a hater or an instrument-snob. (Maybe a little bit.) A good DJ is a pleasure. But too many folks think that a sizeable record collection, turntables, a PA, and a few effects make them a DJ. Case in point, last night I went to hear a nine-piece funk/dub/hip-hop band. For the first 45 minutes or so, I listened to a DJ warm up the crowd. He got people moving, slightly. He used a few effects and had some decent fades. But the flow just wasn't there. Songs jumped between tempos and in some cases completely different beats, and I didn't hear any rhyme or reason in the selection. There was nothing surprising, no songs that made me want to run up and ask him where he'd gotten them. It was little better than listening to a semi-hip iPod playlist on random shuffle.

The band itself smoked. Particularly the bass player, which should always be the case with funk.

[devonh01]

You got that right. I have been both a live DJ and radio broadcasting air personality for 30 years. They are very different environments. By the same token, radio stations that have transmitters, studios, computer playback software, record libraries, consultants and minimum-wage announcers don't make a great station. What you are saying is that music selection and presentation is an ART. Duh. Wish more people got that.

[ErnieTheBear]

I think I've found your problem:

"night I went to hear a nine-piece funk/dub/hip-hop band"

'Nuff said.

[MattRosoff]

Touche!

[shawn1313]

I'm sorry, but this blog is ridiculous. A dj plays music. A "producer" makes music. Although sometimes people do both, you don't have to be a dj to be a producer, nor do you need to be a producer to be a dj. I can't believe you wasted my time with this blog. AND I've spent a couple of minutes writing this... So much wasted time.............

[myaitalia]

WHAT?? WHAT is your point!!

[nonsequitur43]

http://www.hotboxsports.com/