From time to time, we here at NYCelectro.com repost articles that are worth reposting, and this is one of those articles. DJ Tech Tools, a site that continuously posts amazing articles, recently posted this article about if being a producer is a better path to follow than being a DJ. It is an amazing read and very insightful. As a DJ myself, that is learning/turning producer, this article really hits home. Here one of my favorite quotes of the article: ..."being a great music producer/DJ is about moving the ball forward a few inches every day", good stuff. After the jump, there is more insight about the article/current state of DJ affairs, and the link to the original article.
Will Producers Make DJs Obsolete?
I know that DJs are feeling the pressure from these Producers that "DJ". They are getting the gigs, and money, that the experienced DJs should be getting/were getting. So why is this? The phenomenon is a bit new but is no surprise. Back in the day; pre Final Scratch (you remember that?, I had it)/Serato/Tractor/iTunes/whatever; you needed records, music knowledge, a good local store to buy from, and money to buy the records (usually doubles of each song) in order to DJ a gig. The level of entry was high and not too many people could really get into it. There were simply too many obstacles for regular people, thus making the art of DJing valuable. But now, things are very different. You can easily get libraries of great songs, a cheap controller, or just iTunes, and claim to be a DJ. As most young DJs do, they are over confident with their "skills", Pauly D haha, and go out and get that gig, even get big gigs cause they know people, all while under cutting the guy with actual DJ skills. This is why its nearly impossible to make a steady living DJing these days, literally everyone is a "DJ". This is why the Producers are becoming so sought after as "DJs". They are making the music and then playing it live. For example, would you rather see Daft Punk live, or hear some guy play their songs off his laptop? An example, we just saw CRNKN live. CRNKN was on turntables and Jayceeoha, an amazing DJ, opened for him. Jayceeoh is a way better DJ, but CRNKN has his own music. And if you didnt know, Jayceeoh just won the 2013 Master Of The Mix challenge and he was not the headliner.
Combo, Jayceeoh, and Color TV
So, if you are an amazing DJ only, constantly being undercut by amateurs, what do you do? What can you do? The answer is simple, make our own music, edits, remixes, and cuts. This is what the DJ Tech Tools' article is all about. Producing will make you a better DJ. And it will get you more gigs with better promotions, and hopefully, better pay. And eventually this, from the article, might ring true :"Your inner producer will ultimately render your inner DJ obsolete." From personal experience, you become a better performer when you produce your own music/remixes.
This is the original article: http://www.djtechtools.com/2013/04/23/will-producers-make-djs-obsolete/
Header Photo Credit: Greg Sagayadoro via DJ Tech Tools
Mohamed Kamal is an ex SiriusXM DJ/Producer turned entrepreneur from Washington, DC. He is the Founder and CEO of Gigturn, a platform that connects DJs with fans and gigs.
