Back from the Olympics! I had a great week out in the madness that Vancouver turned into. The Hockey House was obviously Canadian crunk and I was fortunate enough to play for many of our medal winners at the Canadian Speed Skating Team party. USA’s Shani Davis was also there and he requested Gucci Mane. Just sayin’. A proud year for Canadian athletes. Congratulations.

As a Canadian musician, I’d like to point you in the direction of an interview I did with, oddly enough, Canadian Musician magazine, who asked me to do a one-time column about how to get started as a DJ. The article pretty much speaks for itself, and even if you’re a seasoned veteran of the DJ circuit you may be able to pick something up from it.

The number one question people ask me about my career is “How did you get started as a DJ?”. What made me want to start? It isn’t the easiest question to answer. I can’t really pinpoint a specific time where I decided that this is what I wanted to do. It certainly wasn’t what I aspired to be in my journal in first grade. It was born out of my music obsession, and more specifically my interest in hip-hop music.

There is no program or formula to becoming a DJ. The term is about as general as the term ‘singer’ and there are many roles that can fit in it’s scope. Just think of how many different musical styles there are out there and how different each vibe can be from one sound to the next. What I will offer you here will give you some points to help you understand what goes into DJing, and, if you’re a musical selector of any skill level, give you something to think about for your next gig….

Read the rest of the article over at the digital version of CM (Page 30/31), download the high-res .png file right here, or read on for a transcript of the article.

So, You Wanna Be a DJ?

The number one question people ask me about my career is “How did you get started as a DJ?”. What made me want to start? It isn’t the easiest question to answer. I can’t really pinpoint a specific time where I decided that this is what I wanted to do. It certainly wasn’t what I aspired to be in my journal in first grade. It was born out of my music obsession, and more specifically my interest in hip-hop music.

There is no program or formula to becoming a DJ. The term is about as general as the term ‘singer’ and there are many roles that can fit in it’s scope. Just think of how many different musical styles there are out there and how different each vibe can be from one sound to the next. What I will offer you here will give you some points to help you understand what goes into DJing, and, if you’re a musical selector of any skill level, give you something to think about for your next gig.

Pretty much every GREAT DJ I know is a music nerd. It may seem obvious, but it should be put out there: KNOW the music that you play. Inside out. Whatever the songs are you would like to play, you want to be in full control of how they are presented. Identify the genre which the songs are in and furthermore what songs sound alike. This well help you choose songs that flow well together. Think of transitioning from Kenny G to Spoonie Gee. Not happening. Lil’ Wayne into Gucci Mane? More likely.

Part of being a good DJ is playing the right song at the right time in the right place. Think of how perfectly certain songs fit in your favorite movie scenes. A DJ does this, but his audience is live in front of him and the music IS the picture. What soundtrack can you provide that properly fits the mood? How can you take that mood to the next level? Develop a great musical library and be ready to rock that jam when the shoe fits.

One thing that can never be underestimated is understanding music theory. Playing an instrument and reading sheet music can go very far in helping you mix music. After all, most of the people that make the music that you are playing speak that musical language and as a DJ you’re relaying the message. For starters, learn how to count beats properly. When DJs mix, they are putting two parts of different tracks over each other, creating a new sound. Make sure you count the beats of a song to know when the exciting part is going to start so you can control people’s reactions and not catch them off guard. If someone hears their favorite part of the song in the wrong place, the effect will be lost. Imagine playing the sections of Bohemian Rhapsody out of order.

So, HOW do you do all of this? The world of DJ Equipment is an absolute jungle! It all depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. You can start with as little as an ipod and a quick thumb, or you can go as big as Daft Punk’s pyramid. Presentation is key. I come from a vinyl and scratching background, so I like classic Technics 1200 turntables and a solid scratch mixer.   I would need another column to give you a list of equipment options. Visit a music store or website and see what kind of equipment (and price range) suits your needs, set it up, and practice. And practice. And practice.

It seems that these days DJ culture is everywhere. If everyone is doing it, how do you stand out from the pack? It’s simple. Be unique. Be yourself. And do a good job. If people want YOU, they’ll ask for you. If they can’t discern you from the rest of the pack, you’ll get lost in the shuffle. Find a way to express yourself that leaves an impression while playing music that fits your gig. You’ll fit into that culture that is everywhere. With tools like the internet, the world is at your fingertips and your audience isn’t necessarily in the room with you. Strut your stuff and get out there.

So that’s it! You’re a DJ now. Not exactly. But this should help you understand what goes into it and why some people succeed and others get tomato-ed. I’ve been Djing for 12 years and I still learn new things all the time. It’s exciting and always changing. Get on up, get into it and get involved. Spread the music you love and, above all, enjoy yourself. One day people will be asking you how all of this started.

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