DJing Discussion
Real Talk Thread: A couple question for the old heads.
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Real Talk Thread: A couple question for the old heads.
Dj-M.Bezzle
3:47 PM - 12 January, 2011
1) Has the DJ game always been so bitter and hateful.
Is this an old thing thats always been around or is this just where its going. I remember when I got into this thing if someone said they spun I got excited and wanted to spin with them. We used to have dj partys with a whole bunch of DJs just to have fun. Now EVERY DAY I open up my twitter or my face book ALL I SEE are other DJS bitching about other DJs, how much other djs are getting paid, what gigs other DJs are getting thay they do or dont deserve, what equipment other djs are using, critiquing other DJs. I dont even see adds for where these damn DJs are spinning now, I have NO IDEA where DJ _____ is spinning this weekend, I cant find a mix of his and I dont know what he sounds like but I know he cant stand microwaves and dosent like DJ ____ because he uses traktor and not SL and spends 85% of his day either bitching about other DJs and yakin on about how the games fucked up.
I mean seriously instead of looking through people facebook photo albums and tryna find wheres waldo so you can post a pic and say "LOOK SEE HE AINT A REAL DJ IF YOU LOOK IN THE CORNER BEEHIND THE SPEAKER YOU CAN KINDA TELL THAT AINT AN OFFICIAL DJ BAG!!!!" or "HES DOING VIDEO DJS DIDNT DO VIDEO IN 82 HES WACK" why dont you find where hes spinning make a mix and turn in a damn demo and see if your better in the owners eyes, why dont you spend that time trying to find gigs and show crowds what real DJing is, why dont you do something positive or productive to get yourself where YOU want be.
Yes the game is changing, tech is changing every aspect of the game, not necessarily in a good way but regardless it IS changing. So do you really think its your job to stand on the soapbox and "expose" what is going on in plain sight. And who do you think is listening, the crowds dont give 2 shits what DVS someone is using or if he can backspin tweedle scratch, the DJs your dissing arent giving you a second thought, promoters and owners just care about their own interests and all the other DJs are standing on a box with you screaming to nobody lookin like those religious dudes who stand in front of clubs telling everyone goin in their goin to hell. Looking like your trying to make the running for king of the haters ball isnt helping you in any way, its just making you look old and bitter. Yes I know I was not a workign DJ in 85 you know why BECAUSE I WAS 3 YEARS OLD, just because someone wasnt able to spin when the game was a certin way shouldnt disqualify them from being a DJ. I know this comes as a shock to some but a whole generation who has NEEVR SEEN A CD let alone a record is comming up, Are they gonna be wak just because they never carried a crate of records, should they be going to antique stores and buying wax just to carry to gigs so they know how heavy it was.
Its really starting to get to me because theres nothing but negativity in it anymore, everytime I open up a DJ site on the internet and its "REAL DJS DO THIS AND REAL DJS DONT DO THIS" it makes me want to chop the DJ out the front of my name and say you can fucking have this im just gonna be fucking happy entertainer bezzle from now on cause i dont want to be associated with all this bitterness, this whole thing is supposed to be about the MUSIC and the PARTY and doing what we love to make people dance and have a good time, its like whats happening now is what happened to the rap game when you had fun rap like Kid n Play doin the crazy pajama dance and makin fun music until NWA came in and let people know that its not cool to have fun anymore.
2) Is it true when people are hating on you your doing something right, how do you handle it.
When I was doing little underground breaks\house\trance partys I never heard any of this, but now that I have a decent spot and im getting offers to play gigs elsewhere and have my name on an add on the radio and like promo pieces I have people poppin out the word works to critisize EVERYTHING i do. And the sad thing is 90% of the shit being said ISNT true and its from people who wouldnt even know if it was true. I hestiate to call it hating because i think hating is a word thats thrown around to loosly but i dont know what else to call it. I mean a few weeks ago i finished my set at my place, went downstairs to chill and got asked to do a quick set there, then went to the after hours spot and got asked to do a quick set there. I got to kick it with alot of DJs I respect and got alot of compliments, and bein how i am i gave an open ivvitation to any and all of them that if they get a chance to swing by my spot they can drop a set anytime. Im thinking alright this is what its all about. Then the next morning my boy shoots me an email like yo b i though you should know about this. He shoots me all this facebook and myspace talk from DJs Ive never heard of in my life (ive been clubbing in mobile EVERY weekend for the 5 years ive been here and gigging out at least once a month for like 4 of those and have never even heard these guys names mentioned) talkin all kind of ish. It just blew my mind that people who dont know me from Adam can throw around so much ish about me, and alot of it was so hypocritical it was laughable. I mean accroding to these guys anyone who uses a button for ANYTHING in his set is not a REAL DJ. So I guess according to them Atrak, Kraze, Klever, AM,Vice, Flipside ect ect are not REAL DJS. Yet all these cats use serato, why are you gonna drop $800 on hardware and software and not use it to its fullest, why would you not use the tools and tech to make your sets BETTER. Im not talking about autosyncing on a NS7, im talking about incorporating it into what you do, using turntables but using loops and cues and the bridge and so forth. Why do DJs have this fear of evolution and feel the need to cling on and never change.
So I got to lookin through some local channels and found out all kind of laughable talk thats out there, people saying i really use VDJ and the SL screen is just to hide it, people saying im playing premade mixes, people saying my TTS are just for show and im using mixmeister (because i decided to spend money on M5Gs JUST for show....well they are damn pretty), people saying i only got my job because i was white (because you obviously want to hire a white dj to a mostly black club right), that I undercut them (which is funney because they have never worked in this club and they DEFINATLEY dont know what I make and Im making the same or a small bit less than every other DJ in the area I work and my clubs ALOT smaller than theirs, ive seen the register and my pay is about 25% to 50% of the bars income each night), that im just a part time DJ whos messin it up for them (im working 4 nights a week and spend a GRIP to be in EVERY record pool and spend most of my off time digging and looking for new music). I mean im NOT a microwave, I pay for ALL my music, i USE turntables, iI practice every day to get better, im trying to learn scratching, im trying to really put effort into my video performance, im about to get into video editing as soon as i can afford the software, i spend ALL DAY EVERY DAY on here learning new shit to help me get betetr at my craft and im not doing to it be cool or get pussy, im doing it because its my greatest passion in life and its the one thing i do BETTER than anything else i do in life(except get on peoples nevrves). Im real about the cultrue and i let ANYONE get on at my spot, ive never said im better than any other DJ (not even pauly D) and i dont brag on myself yet these people just want to tear me down for who knows why.
And its ONLY DJs saying this stuff, i get lots of great feedback and comments from customers and Ive been told alot of good things from alot of the working DJs around here, my owner thinks im doing a GREAT job and just sunk a bunch of money into tearing down the crappy ""booth" setup to build something to really change her spot to gear it toward my DJ performance.
I dont know why its bothering me because im not one to let things people say bother me, but damn im a shit DJ who works in a hole in the wall bar, im doing me there and i dont see where what im doin in my spot with my performance effects them in the least. So my question here is is this typical? They say your not doin it right if people arent "hating" should I take this as a compliment? Does this ish get worse when you get a name and a BIG club spot? Does this motivate you guys? '
Sorry for the rambal i just had to get this all off my mind, reading all the negativity just fills your body up with negative energy and that isnt good for inspiration or creative process. Hopefully we can get a good discussion out of this as I think this is one of the major current issues with the craft.
Is this an old thing thats always been around or is this just where its going. I remember when I got into this thing if someone said they spun I got excited and wanted to spin with them. We used to have dj partys with a whole bunch of DJs just to have fun. Now EVERY DAY I open up my twitter or my face book ALL I SEE are other DJS bitching about other DJs, how much other djs are getting paid, what gigs other DJs are getting thay they do or dont deserve, what equipment other djs are using, critiquing other DJs. I dont even see adds for where these damn DJs are spinning now, I have NO IDEA where DJ _____ is spinning this weekend, I cant find a mix of his and I dont know what he sounds like but I know he cant stand microwaves and dosent like DJ ____ because he uses traktor and not SL and spends 85% of his day either bitching about other DJs and yakin on about how the games fucked up.
I mean seriously instead of looking through people facebook photo albums and tryna find wheres waldo so you can post a pic and say "LOOK SEE HE AINT A REAL DJ IF YOU LOOK IN THE CORNER BEEHIND THE SPEAKER YOU CAN KINDA TELL THAT AINT AN OFFICIAL DJ BAG!!!!" or "HES DOING VIDEO DJS DIDNT DO VIDEO IN 82 HES WACK" why dont you find where hes spinning make a mix and turn in a damn demo and see if your better in the owners eyes, why dont you spend that time trying to find gigs and show crowds what real DJing is, why dont you do something positive or productive to get yourself where YOU want be.
Yes the game is changing, tech is changing every aspect of the game, not necessarily in a good way but regardless it IS changing. So do you really think its your job to stand on the soapbox and "expose" what is going on in plain sight. And who do you think is listening, the crowds dont give 2 shits what DVS someone is using or if he can backspin tweedle scratch, the DJs your dissing arent giving you a second thought, promoters and owners just care about their own interests and all the other DJs are standing on a box with you screaming to nobody lookin like those religious dudes who stand in front of clubs telling everyone goin in their goin to hell. Looking like your trying to make the running for king of the haters ball isnt helping you in any way, its just making you look old and bitter. Yes I know I was not a workign DJ in 85 you know why BECAUSE I WAS 3 YEARS OLD, just because someone wasnt able to spin when the game was a certin way shouldnt disqualify them from being a DJ. I know this comes as a shock to some but a whole generation who has NEEVR SEEN A CD let alone a record is comming up, Are they gonna be wak just because they never carried a crate of records, should they be going to antique stores and buying wax just to carry to gigs so they know how heavy it was.
Its really starting to get to me because theres nothing but negativity in it anymore, everytime I open up a DJ site on the internet and its "REAL DJS DO THIS AND REAL DJS DONT DO THIS" it makes me want to chop the DJ out the front of my name and say you can fucking have this im just gonna be fucking happy entertainer bezzle from now on cause i dont want to be associated with all this bitterness, this whole thing is supposed to be about the MUSIC and the PARTY and doing what we love to make people dance and have a good time, its like whats happening now is what happened to the rap game when you had fun rap like Kid n Play doin the crazy pajama dance and makin fun music until NWA came in and let people know that its not cool to have fun anymore.
2) Is it true when people are hating on you your doing something right, how do you handle it.
When I was doing little underground breaks\house\trance partys I never heard any of this, but now that I have a decent spot and im getting offers to play gigs elsewhere and have my name on an add on the radio and like promo pieces I have people poppin out the word works to critisize EVERYTHING i do. And the sad thing is 90% of the shit being said ISNT true and its from people who wouldnt even know if it was true. I hestiate to call it hating because i think hating is a word thats thrown around to loosly but i dont know what else to call it. I mean a few weeks ago i finished my set at my place, went downstairs to chill and got asked to do a quick set there, then went to the after hours spot and got asked to do a quick set there. I got to kick it with alot of DJs I respect and got alot of compliments, and bein how i am i gave an open ivvitation to any and all of them that if they get a chance to swing by my spot they can drop a set anytime. Im thinking alright this is what its all about. Then the next morning my boy shoots me an email like yo b i though you should know about this. He shoots me all this facebook and myspace talk from DJs Ive never heard of in my life (ive been clubbing in mobile EVERY weekend for the 5 years ive been here and gigging out at least once a month for like 4 of those and have never even heard these guys names mentioned) talkin all kind of ish. It just blew my mind that people who dont know me from Adam can throw around so much ish about me, and alot of it was so hypocritical it was laughable. I mean accroding to these guys anyone who uses a button for ANYTHING in his set is not a REAL DJ. So I guess according to them Atrak, Kraze, Klever, AM,Vice, Flipside ect ect are not REAL DJS. Yet all these cats use serato, why are you gonna drop $800 on hardware and software and not use it to its fullest, why would you not use the tools and tech to make your sets BETTER. Im not talking about autosyncing on a NS7, im talking about incorporating it into what you do, using turntables but using loops and cues and the bridge and so forth. Why do DJs have this fear of evolution and feel the need to cling on and never change.
So I got to lookin through some local channels and found out all kind of laughable talk thats out there, people saying i really use VDJ and the SL screen is just to hide it, people saying im playing premade mixes, people saying my TTS are just for show and im using mixmeister (because i decided to spend money on M5Gs JUST for show....well they are damn pretty), people saying i only got my job because i was white (because you obviously want to hire a white dj to a mostly black club right), that I undercut them (which is funney because they have never worked in this club and they DEFINATLEY dont know what I make and Im making the same or a small bit less than every other DJ in the area I work and my clubs ALOT smaller than theirs, ive seen the register and my pay is about 25% to 50% of the bars income each night), that im just a part time DJ whos messin it up for them (im working 4 nights a week and spend a GRIP to be in EVERY record pool and spend most of my off time digging and looking for new music). I mean im NOT a microwave, I pay for ALL my music, i USE turntables, iI practice every day to get better, im trying to learn scratching, im trying to really put effort into my video performance, im about to get into video editing as soon as i can afford the software, i spend ALL DAY EVERY DAY on here learning new shit to help me get betetr at my craft and im not doing to it be cool or get pussy, im doing it because its my greatest passion in life and its the one thing i do BETTER than anything else i do in life(except get on peoples nevrves). Im real about the cultrue and i let ANYONE get on at my spot, ive never said im better than any other DJ (not even pauly D) and i dont brag on myself yet these people just want to tear me down for who knows why.
And its ONLY DJs saying this stuff, i get lots of great feedback and comments from customers and Ive been told alot of good things from alot of the working DJs around here, my owner thinks im doing a GREAT job and just sunk a bunch of money into tearing down the crappy ""booth" setup to build something to really change her spot to gear it toward my DJ performance.
I dont know why its bothering me because im not one to let things people say bother me, but damn im a shit DJ who works in a hole in the wall bar, im doing me there and i dont see where what im doin in my spot with my performance effects them in the least. So my question here is is this typical? They say your not doin it right if people arent "hating" should I take this as a compliment? Does this ish get worse when you get a name and a BIG club spot? Does this motivate you guys? '
Sorry for the rambal i just had to get this all off my mind, reading all the negativity just fills your body up with negative energy and that isnt good for inspiration or creative process. Hopefully we can get a good discussion out of this as I think this is one of the major current issues with the craft.
sixxx
3:53 PM - 12 January, 2011
1. Everything you see now has been the same in the past - the only difference is that now you get to see it more. - the bitching, the complaining, the hating, or whatever you want to call it - because social networks, the internet and everything else has made it easier for anyone to see what everyone else is doing right or wrong beyond your neighborhood.
2. "Is it true when people are hating on you your doing something right, how do you handle it." - I don't even have to read what you wrote after this to know that the answer is no. You can be doing something right or wrong and you'll always have someone who hates you.
However, I need to make sure that people understand that "hating" nowadays is a term used for a lot of things even those that aren't related to actual hate. The word "hate" as overused and underrated. Anyone is labeled a hater nowadays.
2. "Is it true when people are hating on you your doing something right, how do you handle it." - I don't even have to read what you wrote after this to know that the answer is no. You can be doing something right or wrong and you'll always have someone who hates you.
However, I need to make sure that people understand that "hating" nowadays is a term used for a lot of things even those that aren't related to actual hate. The word "hate" as overused and underrated. Anyone is labeled a hater nowadays.
djatrain@hotmail.com
3:55 PM - 12 January, 2011
Well Dj M Beeeeez E. I know that you chew Wrigley's gum when you mix and Dj Whackface chews Hubba Bubba so that makes Whackface better than you. LMAO. Give me a sec, I will continue to read the thread. But so far, I feel ya. Let you talent show and stop hating on other djs.
djdannyd
3:57 PM - 12 January, 2011
I agree with you basically on all of the points that you made. The dj game has changed in a way that back in the day (My days started around 1989), there weren't a whole lot of dj's out there spinning, there was no social networks like there are now. Now a days, everyone that owns a couple of mp3's is a dj.
As far as negativity, it's all around us. No matter what you do for a living, hobbie etc. You will always have someone hatin'. Use the negativity fo fuel your skillz or creative process.
As far as negativity, it's all around us. No matter what you do for a living, hobbie etc. You will always have someone hatin'. Use the negativity fo fuel your skillz or creative process.
Dj-M.Bezzle
4:09 PM - 12 January, 2011
LOL good points guys, I know theres always goign to be negativity but it just seems that recently im not seeing anyone do anything positive. Like I went homoe last night and saw these facebook messages, got oevr it, went to bed, checked my phone and all im seeing (not about me this if form DJs all over) are people bitching about microwaves and undercutters, then I come in here and the top thread on the forum is "Look at this random pic of nick hogan and point out whats wrong"
Can we stop with the superficial shit, find a vid or mix of hogans and point out whats wrong with what MATTERS, his performance. You cant judge a DJ by a picture. And besides that can we have something postive, like check out this micheal basic mix its awsome or check out what someone did with the bridge......im STILL waiting for an inspiring video that utilizes the bridge. Theres a thread about how terrible the new brittney track is, how about we post up some threads for some new GOOD tracks that would help us all have better music.
I mean its easy as hell to critisize and be negative but i guess its just to difficult to bring some prodictivity to it, I havent been inspired by anything DJ related ina WHILE, as a matter of fact the last thing to inspire me was the damn roctaton interview bitching about the scene lol
Can we stop with the superficial shit, find a vid or mix of hogans and point out whats wrong with what MATTERS, his performance. You cant judge a DJ by a picture. And besides that can we have something postive, like check out this micheal basic mix its awsome or check out what someone did with the bridge......im STILL waiting for an inspiring video that utilizes the bridge. Theres a thread about how terrible the new brittney track is, how about we post up some threads for some new GOOD tracks that would help us all have better music.
I mean its easy as hell to critisize and be negative but i guess its just to difficult to bring some prodictivity to it, I havent been inspired by anything DJ related ina WHILE, as a matter of fact the last thing to inspire me was the damn roctaton interview bitching about the scene lol
Audio1
4:15 PM - 12 January, 2011
Agreed on all points. All I can say is that the internet has made the hate and bitterness more widespread and in the open. Also, The attitudes havent really changed between the younger DJs and the veterans. When I was a teenager, Older DJ's in their 20's and 30's hated real hardcore. I always told myself I would never hate on younger DJ's and If I did hate, It would be for a specific reason. One of the specific reasons I would hate on a younger DJ these days is:
1 - lack of respect for the DJs who paved the way for them
2 - lack of respect for their own peers
3 - lack of respect and knowledge about DJ culture
4 - demanding respect and not paying dues
A lot of the newer generation jumps onto the DJ game and expects respect from everybody without showing and proving. Im 20 years into DJing and I spent my entire DJ career showing and proving. I expect that from the newer generation of DJ's. If a 16 year old DJ can join a battle without fear, That DJ has my complete respect. If a young female DJ goes to shows, learns from her peers and pays dues, She has my respect.
Then again, Respect is a lost artform in itself. It used to mean something but cats these days dont care. Everyone has the same music from the same sources and everyone sounds very cookie cutter.
That's all I will say on that. Much respect DJ bretheren.
1 - lack of respect for the DJs who paved the way for them
2 - lack of respect for their own peers
3 - lack of respect and knowledge about DJ culture
4 - demanding respect and not paying dues
A lot of the newer generation jumps onto the DJ game and expects respect from everybody without showing and proving. Im 20 years into DJing and I spent my entire DJ career showing and proving. I expect that from the newer generation of DJ's. If a 16 year old DJ can join a battle without fear, That DJ has my complete respect. If a young female DJ goes to shows, learns from her peers and pays dues, She has my respect.
Then again, Respect is a lost artform in itself. It used to mean something but cats these days dont care. Everyone has the same music from the same sources and everyone sounds very cookie cutter.
That's all I will say on that. Much respect DJ bretheren.
sixxx
4:17 PM - 12 January, 2011
I want to add that you need to find inspiration within yourself. No need to be looking elsewhere, otherwise, you're most likely to end up biting.
Audio1
4:19 PM - 12 January, 2011
Wise words @Sixxx. Very true indeed.
On the hating issue, There will always be haters. I say "HIIIIIIIII" and wave to them on a daily basis. I thank them for thinking so much about me and helpin further my career. If you got people who hate on you, Embrace them. They are simply promoting you for free. Katt Williams has the best advice about haters. ----> Watchwww.youtube.com
On the hating issue, There will always be haters. I say "HIIIIIIIII" and wave to them on a daily basis. I thank them for thinking so much about me and helpin further my career. If you got people who hate on you, Embrace them. They are simply promoting you for free. Katt Williams has the best advice about haters. ----> Watchwww.youtube.com
Dj-M.Bezzle
4:22 PM - 12 January, 2011
I agree and I do look for inspiration in myself but its still nice to see or hear something that comes from someone else that makes you go damn i need to bend my brain in THAT direction and see what I come up with. Like I think it was doggydaddy who did a video of the dicers used to juggle the cords of a rock video, i never would have thought of that and thought hey let me look for places i can utilise something like this, not biting HIS bit but using something i would never have thought of to improve MY style
Quote:
I want to add that you need to find inspiration within yourself. No need to be looking elsewhere, otherwise, you're most likely to end up biting.I agree and I do look for inspiration in myself but its still nice to see or hear something that comes from someone else that makes you go damn i need to bend my brain in THAT direction and see what I come up with. Like I think it was doggydaddy who did a video of the dicers used to juggle the cords of a rock video, i never would have thought of that and thought hey let me look for places i can utilise something like this, not biting HIS bit but using something i would never have thought of to improve MY style
sixxx
5:07 PM - 12 January, 2011
Just try to get more than $100.00 for 3.5 hours bringing your own equipment and your style will change. lmao
Dj-M.Bezzle
5:08 PM - 12 January, 2011
LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!11
Quote:
Just try to get more than $100.00 for 3.5 hours bringing your own equipment and your style will change. lmaoLMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!11
DJ Benny B NYC
5:33 PM - 12 January, 2011
yeah theres always been hate, people used to steal each others records, routines, black out their labels...
deezlee
7:25 PM - 12 January, 2011
You used to have to have records and be able to mix 'em, that helped cut the drama/bullshit/fakeness...
DJ Alkemy
7:48 PM - 12 January, 2011
I couldnt read the whole message but you are right on most points Bezzle. I just dont agree with this "hating" thing. DJ'ing is a competative market so for people to get called a "hater" if they think something sucks is silly. If you are going do something in a creative field then you gotta be open to criticism. But their is a fine line between criticism and just plain being an ass. We can all be guilty of it one time or another. But if I see a DJ doing some ill shit Ill give him his props. There is a bit too much negativity on these boards sometime. Most of it between me and you Lol
O.B.1
8:59 PM - 12 January, 2011
Alot of this so called "hate" is really just petty jealousy by those who see that you are succeeding, and they feel threatened by it... so you are obviously doing something right to get their attention in the first place.
And it's the same in many different circles but it still applies, for example I play drums in a local Death Metal band and there are several other Metal bands in my area, and it seems like everyone is in competition and talking shit behind the other's back. Now, it's one thing to strive for greatness, but it's entirely another to resort to middle school gossip tactics to cut down someone elses achievements.
-I'm not a super "old school head" (been in the local music scene about 12 yrs.)
but my advice is to rise above all of it, keep doing your thing, and if anything use it to your advantage...
And it's the same in many different circles but it still applies, for example I play drums in a local Death Metal band and there are several other Metal bands in my area, and it seems like everyone is in competition and talking shit behind the other's back. Now, it's one thing to strive for greatness, but it's entirely another to resort to middle school gossip tactics to cut down someone elses achievements.
-I'm not a super "old school head" (been in the local music scene about 12 yrs.)
but my advice is to rise above all of it, keep doing your thing, and if anything use it to your advantage...
DJ DisGrace
9:04 PM - 12 January, 2011
A wise DJ mentor once told me to never talk smack about another dj. It will only bite you in the ass down the road....
Logisticalstyles
11:40 PM - 12 January, 2011
I was gonna say no to question number 1 but then I remembered a few times when some sucka DJs tried to step to me at different parties. This was back in '93 way before I knew what e-mail or the internet was. But like deezlee said the ability to mix and scratch helped cut all of that bullshit. And honestly, the only reason they would step to me was because I had all of the parties they wanted. I didn't even own a pair of 1200's and was building my own speakers at the time, but I was doing what I loved. It did piss me off at the time, but truthfully I couldn't care less about what another DJ thinks of me. I worry about the audience.
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