How do I switch to top 40 without holding my nose?

[lethal_pizzle]

Any advice?

Tell them that if they want a house DJ to play for free, you're the man.
If they want a top40 DJ, they need to find someone else.

[dodge]

Download the last couple of months top 40 tunes. Ask em if there's any wifi or internet access cos if you get requests you can download them there and then and that way everybody's happy.

Top 40 gigs are easy peasy cos you don't really have to get too technical. The peeps that attend those kinda places generally wanna hear the whole song from start to finish so you can get away with hitting play at the end of each current track.

Dunno where in the world you're from so dunno what is your area's current top 40 is. But I would say you wanna be looking at downloading a shit load of David Guetta, Laidback Luke, Afrojack, Tinie Tempah, Example, Rhianna, Dizzie Rascal, Calvin Harris, Flo Rida etc. That shit goes down well and generally is at proper house tempo so can be mixed if need be.

Just google R&B, Pop, Dance charts and make sure you're up to speed. You know all the shit you hear on the radio that you hate.... that's the shit most other people like.

[ksandvik]

Me thinks playing top-40 is like setting an iPod to play a playlist but hey if you need the money...

[Nephew]

Yeah mate, I wouldn't bother with it. I'm going to guess that you're not even going to get paid for it a well so I wouldn't even bother with it

[dodge]

Totally forgot to mention that if you aint getting paid then don't bother. But I know if I'm getting paid I'd do it and have fun, drink free booze and chat up hot bitches in the process. I mean, what else you gonna do?

[tads]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm not actually getting paid at all. My buddy is running a fundraiser for this charity and I'm doing him a favor by spinning. There are other people who are in charge of the party planning. I have been trying to get into some conscious hip hop, so I will put some of that in, and whatever top 40 songs I like, and then lean on my buddy to get him to let me do it, or to find a wedding dj or an ipod to run the music for a couple hours.

[aGhost]

Charities and fund raisers can make you push your boundaries as a DJ, because the music selection has to be appropriate for the occasion. Even if they're going to dance and they know it in advance. It doesn't matter what you usually spin, it's a good opportunity for you to be out of your element and test your skills as a DJ. However, if people have a good time is more likely that your friend raises more money, so don't take it lightly. If the music sucks chances are that they never come back to support their charity again.


Just because it's a top 40 event, doesn't mean that all has to be top 40s. Make sure you know the audiences's age span, because what can be a total banger for 21+ could be a total fail for 40+.

Like I said, don't take the event lightly because your friend has a lot at stake. If you're not ready or unwilling to get ready because you can't listen to top 40s, well... help your friend find someone else.

[jakeintox]

I'd generally agree with most people on here, sounds like the gig is not for you.

On the flip side, if you're genuwinely interested in doing gigs of this nature at least to get out and spin, then you might want to collect some top 40 and play around with it. For me personally, the thrill of rocking the crowd outwieghs my aversion to the mindless crap pop and I actually enjoy the challenge of gigs like this.

If you do take this gig, the playlist from your local top 40 radio station is a good place to start looking for tracks.

[DJMpress]

Gigs that require top can usually be done with a playlist and no mixing required, people just want to hear the tracks they hear on the radio and see on the TV. If that is what the people at the gig want then that is the music the DJ has to play. Simple as that

[djproben]

a lot of court cases are lost by dj's that mess up events by not following the contract or agreement

you have some evidence for this? I doubt even .00001% of such disputes ever see the inside of a courtroom, if even that. Small claims maybe but still there's no way "a lot" of cases would end up there; and, frankly, if you played the gig you're going to win such a case. No way a small claims court is going to render a decision on whether a Katy Perry remix is or is not "top 40" or "pop."

As for the original question, I'd say play the gig and see how it goes. You might find you actually enjoy it. I'm definitely not a top 40 guy but I get a real kick out of gigs like this (and I like to mix it up with old funk and disco, not stuff the top 40 crowd will complain about but stuff that is a lot more fun for me and for anyone dancing). If you hate it, don't take such gigs in the future, but why not give it a shot? You might find you like it (and either way you'll make money).


=-=-= erm, just read your comment that you're not getting paid for it; two things about this - one, obviously, there's less reason to take it if that's the case (though the experience and the opportunity to be heard could still make it worth it -- I have gotten some good gigs out of charity events in the past), but two, that means there's less pressure and more room for your own creativity. Tell your friend you're willing to do it and you'll do your best to rock the crowd, but you're not a top 40 DJ. The old beggars can't be choosers mantra applies here....