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i started DJing for fun, and also to build a new relationship to music when feeling uninspired as a songwriter. in pursuing DJing more seriously, i have developed a real passion for it. i realize i am becoming part of a musical, cultural, and political history. so i've been trying to put in the work of learning more about it all, aside from just the skills of the CDJs.
this series from RA highlights the importance of DJs, dance music, nightlife, and the communities they build. it's so cool to see how different cities and their social norms impact nightlife, and it gives a great intro as to why nightlife is the way it is. it's also an interesting watch considering a lot of these were made before COVID, so it's a little nostalgic, too.
Feb 10, 2024
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I love to create a long ass list of mixes to listen to on YouTube (and pray that an angel has put the tracklist in the comments)
One thing I have noticed in the comments of DJ mixes, is people's pure amazement that a DJ has mixed a wide range of genres together.
I picked up DJ'ing two years ago and with that, a keen interest in the history of genres and where they originated. To be fr, the majority of music we listen to today was created by black people who were innovative against all odds. I truly believe that rhythm is intrinsic to that creative process and the reason why a lot of these genres blend so well is because of common drum patterns and melodies.
For example, I went to a salsa night and felt moved by the drum patterns of the songs being played, as they were reminiscent of the music I grew up on (Highlife, Ghana). This can be traced back to the slave trade, where Africans were enslaved and transported from Africa across to the Caribbean, taking those rhythms with them and creating new sounds that established this tangible sonic connection.
So when we witness DJ's mix Jersey Club, with Reggaeton, to Baltimore Club to Grime, to Jungle, Baile funk and back again... that's lightwork! Black people pioneered all these genres, infusing those intrinsic rhythms and unknowingly creating a formula that makes all these musical genres blend so perfectly.
So the next time you listen to a multi-genre DJ set (I'd recommend Zack Fox's Boiler Room to start) just know you are getting schooled in BLACK HISTORY!
Sep 17, 2024
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Being a DJ is one of the coolest things you can do in 2022. I’d like to live in a world where everyone DJs during lunch break, after work, before bed. The anime series “D4DJ: First Mix” is an idyllic example of such a place. When you meet someone new and you’re talking about music and you say “this one hits when I spin it at the club” or “I have a really cool remix of that on my USB”, your hotness increases so much. My first DJ set was in high school at Utopia Studios in St. Louis, Missouri and I played so much festival dubstep to a crowd of unknowing prep school kids. Since then it’s been much more of the same.
Jul 12, 2022
last night, I went to see my favorite DJ, Green Velvet, in DC. he was pretty huge in Chicago when house music was starting to become more known in the 90s, and he has a very distinct style.
seeing him reminded me that i wanted to share this video with you all. the history of house music is rich & is based on bringing people together which i find so beautiful. please give this a watch if you're interested in learning about the history of house music <3
Jan 26, 2025
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Feb 11, 2024
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my parents convinced me it was a bad thing but they are WRONG. this is how you find new music, this is how you learn history, this is how you go deeper into the internet. it takes a curious mind to go down a youtube rabbit hole. right now, mine is DJ tutorials and demos. i’m learning so much!!!!
Feb 11, 2024
Feb 10, 2024