LOL@ "I'm a DJ". I don't think you need to add that part around here.
I've tried multiple way to manage my crates and the best I've found is folder based with itch-sync to create the crates based on folder structure.

Well I'm also a DJ and......
I strictly use SSL for creating crates & importing tracks. Never had a need to use iTunes.

I am a DJ and I've never used any other structure than SSL for crates & importing tracks.

Pure SL for me. Crates and Smartcrates.

I am a dj aswell surprise but i use ssl crates only :-) On my old pc i used to use i tunes but when i done the swap to mac i took all my music from i tunes :-)

don't let these dudes steer you wrong. itunes is the ish. your organization will be like night and day (if you're on a MAC).

iTunes has applescripts which is a powerful method for automating tagging and other operations.

also the smart playlists are waay smarter than smart crates. in comparison, smart crates are pretty dumb.

any along with folder action scripts, you can automatically add new music to iTunes. You cannot auto add new music with SSL.

All true.

Last time I saw, Serato don't recommend it though, as Apple periodically will end up doing something to iTunes that breaks the link with SL.

Stability over convenience for me!

All of us in Rane tech support use SSL crates. We do not recommend having SSL read your iTunes library.
Its a separate program that your needing to rely on to import your library and is not the most reliable way to use the program. There are bugs that have been around since day one and there are always new bugs getting introduced with new iTunes updates.
We do not have control over what iTunes does. We do have control over what SSL does.

iTunes is a great tool, as Nyce suggests, but I would not recommend having SSL reading the iTunes library.

I use iTunes to rip, convert, burn, and upload files to my iPhone.
I do not use iTunes for any id3 tagging as there are often conflicts between the way iTunes stores tag info and where SSL stores it.
Your djing with SSL and that is where you ultimately need to see all the correct info.

I also do not store any music within the iTunes Music folder.
I would suggest organizing your music in genre folders that you create.
From there, import those folders into genre crates in SSL.
Once you import the initial genre folders into crates... when you get, say, 10 new hip hop tracks, add them to your HIP HOP folder outside of SSL, open SSL, click the Files tab, locate your HIP HOP folder, and drag/drop back onto your HIP HOP crate.
This will ONLY import the 10 new songs. It will not duplicate the files that have already been imported.
Simple, organized nicely, and quick.

One thing I can't stand about iTunes is that it separates all your music in artist folders and you end up with a ton of different folders.
This is ok when just using iTunes but not the best, in my opinion, when using SSL.

I use itunes to import my CD's and use to the ID3 tagging to manipulate certain aspects of it.

I then load into Tag & Rename on a PC to finally retag and correct any errors in tagging, it also works well with MP4 files (as i use video files also).

Once happy with that, ill put them onto my hard drive in the relevant folders i want them to be at then load into serato, and use that for the full benefit.
I dont like the thought of allowing an external program (itunes) to control files, in fact why does serato and even traktor include this integration if it causes problems with bugs?

I've even used pioneers rekord box software to retag etc.

I am also a DJ (sorry,had to say this ;) ) and i only can support what phatbob said right here:
Stability over convenience for me!

Why edit your files in another Program?
It´s like pouring water into a glass and then into the pot on your oven.
or sth like so ;)
jussayin