What makes a DJ these days?

aleks_zero · #1 (**permalink**) Jul 02, 05

My question to the electonically cultured generation (or anyone else you wants to reply)

What makes a DJ stand out these days? There is so much music and so much creativity out there how do we seperate the great from the good?

Pennywise · #2 (**permalink**) Jul 02, 05

style and skillz..!!
AND OVERALL APPEARANCE BEHIND THE DECKS...
gotta know what to play and when...
be able to read the crowd and know exactly what will make everyone dance

frankie_V · #3 (**permalink**) Jul 02, 05

yes i agree^^ crowd interaction is a VERY VERY important key to be a good dj....

i like it when the djs are so into it... the best person ive seen IMO is armin... that guy is crazy and has so much energy

~Sc@ndelu$~ · #4 (**permalink**) Jul 02, 05

Haaawt

Pennywise · #5 (**permalink**) Jul 02, 05

i wanna see dj flave in vancouver soon!

that guy is crazy behind the decks

miSsy_chriSsy · #6 (**permalink**) Jul 02, 05

1) Mixing
2) Track Selection
3) Originality of Track selection, each song complimenting the next, and how the set flows to tell their story
4) Stage Presence
5) Crowd Reaction and involvement

Pennywise · #7 (**permalink**) Jul 02, 05

^ you have awesome stage appearance;)

DefJef · #8 (**permalink**) Jul 02, 05

Awesome flanging skillz y0..

Tea · #9 (**permalink**) Jul 02, 05

If a DJ is able to make me smile without control he/she has done their job. Music is my everyrthing, and moving is right up there too sooo if a DJ makes me feel so happy, and makes me what to get out my seat and dance like no one is watching...then the job is done.

I love it when you hear something so funky, all you want to do is shake shake shake and move your hips...its also always cool by me to try new things, incorporate new genres...and get some sweet ass vocal hooks...singing and dancing at the same time also brings me joy...

Also, someone who *really* loves the music and enjoy watching people enjoy their music. A DJ with a good character who loves to do shows is always cool with me. Appreciation for the love of the art is key.

Bevvy Swift · #10 (**permalink**) Jul 02, 05

mixing skills goes without saying. i would say if the dj brings some other talent to the table, like scratching, singing, mcing, drumming, or playing trumpet or saxaphone or something that makes them stand out more than anything. also having a healthy mix of stuff people recognise and stuff people havent heard before makes for a better listening experience

ebbomega · #11 (**permalink**) Jul 02, 05

Ishkur makes a pretty good argument on his front page as to why Z-Trip is the best DJ in the world.

Bevvy Swift · #12 (**permalink**) Jul 02, 05

read it. quite true. but in the vancouver scene we dont usually get many djs who beatjuggle and scratch to the point of redundancy. id say we need more table tricksters

Krusha · #13 (**permalink**) Jul 02, 05

what makes a dj is networking ... the rest is just icing on a cake

but what makes a good dj is another story , i'd say being educated on outside influences that helped form your genre , a good dj is an educated dj

knowing when to push the limits , test new shit on an audience and read the crowd

technical skill should be there but as far as mixing is concerned you can suck ass and still get away with it alot of the time , cause mixing is a breeze

Bevvy Swift · #14 (**permalink**) Jul 03, 05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krusha

what makes a dj is networking ... the rest is just icing on a cake

but what makes a good dj is another story , i'd say being educated on outside influences that helped form your genre , a good dj is an educated dj

knowing when to push the limits , test new shit on an audience and read the crowd

technical skill should be there but as far as mixing is concerned you can suck ass and still get away with it alot of the time , cause mixing is a breeze

agreed completely. the difference in mixing skill between me and the best djs in the world isnt all that great, but they bring something different (ie-thier own tracks, different instruments, scratching, rare tracks) to the table, which makes them 100 times more interesting to watch/listen to.

mystery · #15 (**permalink**) Jul 03, 05

the ability to not take yourself seriously

/j

Sykonee · #16 (**permalink**) Jul 03, 05

What makes a DJ these days? Marketing. You could be the worst technical DJ in the world, but if you market yourself as one of the best, the common man (that is, someone that doesn't know squat about the insides and outs of DJing, which is probably 98.9% of the world populace) will believe it.

Erin · #17 (**permalink**) Jul 03, 05

I like it when A DJ is having as much fun behind the decks as I am watching/dancing. Andy C takes pictures of the crowd and is always smiling. I love that! He is so cute.

Liqwid · #18 (**permalink**) Jul 03, 05

they have to be Hawt!

Erin · #19 (**permalink**) Jul 03, 05

^ That also helps.

Liqwid · #20 (**permalink**) Jul 03, 05

^^^...erins hawt....shes a dj

Erin · #21 (**permalink**) Jul 03, 05

I am?

aleks_zero · #22 (**permalink**) Jul 04, 05

I think im gonna have to agree with missy chrissy and sykonee on this one...

Energy is a big thing also... showing you love and passion for your music when you are on stage.... i think Lorin Bassnectar (for the few that know him) takes the cake on that one... and becauase of that... you will agree he is one of the best live sets you have ever seen.... trust me

islandgirl · #23 (**permalink**) Jul 04, 05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pennywise

i wanna see dj flave in vancouver soon!

that guy is crazy behind the decks

YES!!!! me tooo!!!

Special-K · #24 (**permalink**) Jul 05, 05

what makes a good dj?

2 words: GOD POSES.

I personaly practice my god poses in the mirror, i try to have 3 new ones before each gig.

dapimpstress · #25 (**permalink**) Jul 05, 05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pennywise

i wanna see dj flave in vancouver soon!

that guy is crazy behind the decks

yeah esp when he busts his saxophone!