Posts tagged DJing
Hip hop, by any means necessary: At the 1991 DMCs, Mr. Tape from Latvia performed a set using two reel-to-reel machines. Mr. Tape, dissuaded from copping turntables because it was considered a “luxury item”, also recorded music from the radio for the same reason. THASWASSUP.
DJ Revolution’s Beat Box set for The Cut.
Franklin High School’s 2008 “Do Not Play” List
A little something different: I DJ’ed a couple high school dances a few years ago (Renton and Franklin) and both experiences were very eye opening (figuratively and literally, thank god for chaperones). I thought I’d share this list that Franklin sent me as a “Do Not Play” list for their 2008 Prom. Below is a direct cut-n-paste from Excel. Enjoy.
FHS Dance DO NOT Play List
Updated May 5, 2008
Songs chosen for lyrics/content referencing
(1) Drug/Alcohol Use, (2) Violence, (3) “Freak” Dancing, and/or (4) Sex
A Bay Bay – Hurricane Chris
Money Maker – Ludacris
Abay bay-hurricane chris
Move Shake Drop - DJ Laz
Ayo Technology – 50 Cent
My Drink N My 2 Step – Cassidy
Baby Got Back – Sir Mix A lot
My Humps – Black Eye Peas
Back That Azz Up – Juvenile
Party Like a Rockstar – Shop Boyz
Back that thing up – Jay Z
Pimpin All Over the World – Ludacris
Bartender – T-Pain
Pop Bottles – Bird Man
Betcha Can’t Do It Like Me – D4L
Raise Up – Pede Pablo
Big Pimpin – Jay Z
Salt Shaker – Ying Yang Twins
Big Things Poppin – T.I.
Sexy Can I - Ray J
Body – Ja Rule
Sexy Lady – Yung Berg
Buy U A Drank – T. Pain
Shake that -Eminem
Candy Shop – 50 cent
Shoop – Salt n Pepa
Chain Hang Low – Jibbs
Show me the money - Petey pablo (step up soundtrack)
Clumsy – Fergie
Smack That – Akon
Culo – Pit Bull
Snap Yo Fingers – Lil Jon
Cupid Shuffle – Cupid
Stand up and get crunk - ying yang twins
Cyclone - Baby Bash
Stick Icky – Pit Bull
Freak a Leak – Pede Pablo
Swing - Savage
Freaky Gurl – Gucci Mane
Tattoo – The Alliance
Get Low – Lil Jon
The Thong Song – Cisco
Gimme More – Britney Spears
Wait (The Whisper Song) – Yin Yang Twins
Goodies – Ciara
What’s Your Fantasy – Shawna and Ludacris
Head Sprung – LL cool J
Wipe me down - Lil boosie
Hit the Floor – Twista and Pitbull
Yeah – Usher
Hot ** Country Grammar – Nelly
Hot in Here - Nelly
Humpty Dance – Digital Underground
Hypnotized – Plies
I Like the Way She Do It - G-Unit
I’m in love wit a stripper – T. Pain
In da Club – 50 Cent
It wasn’t me – Shaggy
Let’s talk about sex – Salt n Pepa
Like a Virgin – Madonna
Like This – Mims
Magic Stick – 50 Cent
Milk Shake – Kelis
Why Does the DJ Cost So Much!!??
Mobile DJ
The Mobile DJ is in a very different situation from the Club DJ. The Mobile DJ has the responsibility for purchasing or providing every piece of Sound Equipment needed to make amplified music happen at your event. The type, quality, and dependability of the Sound Equipment can vary greatly from the Novice DJ to the Professional DJ and this difference can make or break your event very easily. The mobile DJ dedicates many more hours of work for an event than what the person hiring the DJ usually understands. Here is an example of the time spent by a Mobile DJ that needs to be understood by both the Client and the DJ:
As you can see, what the Client sees as only a three hour gig, can actually be a full 8 hour day for the DJ.
The author goes on and on, but the point taken here is that while we may make it look easy, we’re in our bedrooms/garage/wherever we practice and prep, putting in long hours just to make your event the shit.
For me, because all my equipment is usually in storage ready to go to the gig, the most hours are spent picking the right cuts and putting them into a playlist. This may take 2-3 hours if i’m being thoughtful. Sometimes spinning for hip hop shows are easier than other gigs because there’s so many bangers in the 95-110bpm range, whether you’re spinning with vinyl or serato.
Oh - and a big shout out to full-time DJs. I hella salute each and every one of you.
