ok, so i was living in fort lauderdale, before i moved to tampa. in lauderdale i was a reggae/hip hop dj, and it went pretty well. some parties it was me and my brother or another person in our crew, me running the tables and they were the mic/hype man. other parties i would just mix and occasionally hit the mic. well now since moving out to tampa, the scene here seems far different. i see less reggae hip hop urban clubs, and manyy clubs based on dubstep, house, trance, and similar. now my thing is i want to get out and start playing at parties again, being that music is my only get away, but how do i fit in to this scene? do i change my whole style of music, because then i would really need to do my homework and build up my music box with those genres, or do i just say screw it and go another route as just doing mixtapes and bedroom dj, with the style im used too. and dont get me wrong im willing to learn a new style but the problem with that is, i have no idea where to start on getting that type of music. any ideas?
sounds weird, but thats kind of hard to choose. i love music period, so i guess i wouldnt say its the type of music i like most. its more what ive built a familiarity around, what i know more of. now playing out is just great, the feeling of knowing you have everyone’s attention and you are the life of the party. i know something is going to have to give with this decision. i dont know if that was a good answer?
Sounds like you really like the idea of playing out. Build up a collection of tunes from those genres and maybe you’ll start to enjoy them. Once you’ve got a big enough collection, get back to partying!
firebr4nd
i actually do enjoy playing out, it was something fun to do, and it was me doing what i like for others to enjoy also, i have been trying to make the attempt to build a collect but don’t know where to begin
Timbo21
i wouldnt say i dont like the music, ive actually listened to different mixes, and i dont dislike it. i just havent been around it as much as others, people and or djs, to tell whos track it is, and stuff. but i agree with that statement.
Ed Paris
i know about ybor, its just that the one or two clubs that i know of with the music, has their rolling events with resident djs, which are also tied to the radio station.
rdale
ive thought of that but feel as if i dont know enough people around here, friend wise to do so. maybe i should network more, get in the lab, and come out futher down the road.
do both… have your reggae/hip hop stuff in your bedroom/radio show and play some house/trance/wubstep in clubs, maybe you can mix in some reggae with house or something. check out juno download or beatport among other sites to get some good tracks or to simply everything just download all of my tracks trololol
If you enjoy playing out, like a particular style of music but don’t know if it will fit… Try to find places that it might work. And honestly? Play top 40. Play it well, and you’ll get good paying, easy gigs. From what I’ve seen, that’s the easiest place to “get in” if you will. Because a lot of DJ’s are premadonna’s about what they will or will not play. And people eat up the top 40 stuff. And a lot of that stuff, you can also mix in a little hip-hop and be fine.
Also, you don’t want to start trying to play Electro/Dubstep… whathaveyou if you aren’t completely passionate about it. There are people out there that are crazy about it, and you want to be able to stand out for yourself and show that you have more passion than them.
Music as a scene is difficult. Different spots bring different crowds, and finding your niche is important. If you just want to play out, that’s great, but you need to do something that will set you apart, or play something that is in demand. If you’re lost at what to play, I really think the top 40 things is where a ton of playtime will be at for you.
I don’t usually suggest it, as it’s not my style of music, but it’s worth thinking about at least.
Bassline its funny that you say that about Top 40, because i was going to ask about that in a different thread. it seems a lot of djs rather not touch that, but when it seems to keep people moving then why not. but i definitely see what you’re saying about it being a passion to some people, which was why i felt ify about getting into it because real followers are able to see who has been around that music than the ones that are new. thats kind of how i am when i hear certain djs try to play a reggae song, its like wow really. lol
KS2, im not rally say theres no where that has those nights but the only nights in the week that they do, its mainly promoted by local radio stations who have their djs already, i actually was thinking of maybe linking up with some of them, letting my presence be known, work my way in that way.
trust me you all, im taking what you guys are saying and taking it in. i really appreciate the responses
thanks a lot. it just sucks moving into a new area and losing all of the friends, and people that was in your network. feels almost like starting all over. but without the learning process that is. the know how is there, just the connects need to be rebuilt.
bringing back an old thread to say i went for that route, linked up with a local reggae dancehall sound, Poison Dart Sound in tampa, well ive been going to lots of their gigs helping setup and breakdown speakers and equipment, learning the music more. well lets just say that has helped me big time, i stayed humble and patient and gotten to play a few nights at club prana in ybor city.. i currently mc on saturday nights with another one of their djs. so thanks guys i appreciate the feedback. you def gotta crawl before you walk and well before you run!
