The ability to have another DJ fill in and play genres I don't know such as hip hop? Not everything that separates one from the competition is a good thing
This lead depicts a HUGE chunk of the wedding market today..Or not?
- Thread starter DJ Ricky B
- Start date
All of this baloney about being set apart is the same as saying "We have the world's best cup of coffee.". It's subjective.
Being a good fit and having enough competence to get the job done to the client's satisfaction is the beginning and end of it. What we do, how we do it or how much we get for it, is relevant only to us. Whether we exploit, learn, give or take from our peers, we answer for ourselves.
Being a good fit and having enough competence to get the job done to the client's satisfaction is the beginning and end of it. What we do, how we do it or how much we get for it, is relevant only to us. Whether we exploit, learn, give or take from our peers, we answer for ourselves.
The ability to have another DJ fill in and play genres I don't know such as hip hop? Not everything that separates one from the competition is a good thing
I'm going to challenge you a bit on the "play genres I don't know". I call bunk. I've had tons of gigs, as I'm sure most here have as well, where I was challenged with genres I didn't know; Rap, Hispanic, Ethiopian, Reggae, Punk Rock, etc. Now I'll make it clear to the client that I'm not an expert, but let them know that I'll do the homework and work with them to make it happen. Skipping a gig, just because it's mildly outside your comfort zone, is something I'd challenge you to re-visit. Good luck with it.
I think he was responding to Mix's posts about not knowing and liking current music - hence the need for a partner.
I don't understand the bunk part Rick. Maybe it's because mix is on your ignore list?
I'm not good with ethnic music either. But Rap and hip hop are somewhat mainstream. I realize some of that isn't easy to beatmix, but that doesn't mean I won't play it if it's what is wanted. I've played Pakistani music even though I don't know anything about it. Like I said, 'not everything that separates one from the competition is a good thing.' Some DJs in my market have expertise in hispanic genres. I don't.
I'm not good with ethnic music either. But Rap and hip hop are somewhat mainstream. I realize some of that isn't easy to beatmix, but that doesn't mean I won't play it if it's what is wanted. I've played Pakistani music even though I don't know anything about it. Like I said, 'not everything that separates one from the competition is a good thing.' Some DJs in my market have expertise in hispanic genres. I don't.
I commend that attitude. It's honest and direct. On the other hand, others (the "experts") in our field might argue that you would have a fool for a client. Especially if they could get an equal service that's already knowledgeable. Being a gig hog is a slippery slope.
None of us grew up listening to rap and hip hop...we learned it.
When you're in your car or on the porch drinking beer and can listen to music YOU choose, what is it?
So we can learn new stuff. If you want to - if there is a reason or incentive to. Why book a wedding where you have to spend $50 on music and hours learning/finding it if it's a one off deal at a regular price?
Now if you have enough of a market to specialize - maybe Indian music for weddings? Spanish for quincenaera's? I'm in white bread america (in the 2000 census we had 4 black folks out of a population of ~4500 in my town). 40 minutes up the road at Costco I see Indians in abundance, did a HS grad party for a family (multiple doctors dad, grandpa, brother...) up in that area last year (photo - they had no dj at the country club event).
When you're in your car or on the porch drinking beer and can listen to music YOU choose, what is it?
So we can learn new stuff. If you want to - if there is a reason or incentive to. Why book a wedding where you have to spend $50 on music and hours learning/finding it if it's a one off deal at a regular price?
Now if you have enough of a market to specialize - maybe Indian music for weddings? Spanish for quincenaera's? I'm in white bread america (in the 2000 census we had 4 black folks out of a population of ~4500 in my town). 40 minutes up the road at Costco I see Indians in abundance, did a HS grad party for a family (multiple doctors dad, grandpa, brother...) up in that area last year (photo - they had no dj at the country club event).
"Passion" is the hot word these days. EVERY wanna-be photographer uses it. Passion trumps skill and experience, doncha know?
I have no problems playing Hispanic music. I have a lot of it. I have deejayed Nigerian weddings, Ethiopian/African. They were a challenge, but in the end everyone had a great time, and they were fun weddings. I'm no expert either, but if I have some guidance, and help from the clients (what often happens is also guests will have some input at the event itself) then I can pull those events off.
However, I would rather book a typical mainstream music wedding over a ethnic wedding.
With that said. My area has changed significantly over the years. Baltimore/DC Metro is far from "white bread" America. We have every ethnicity imaginable. In fact, Montgomery County where I am from was the most diverse county in the country back in the 80s and 90s. Other areas have grown, so not sure MOCO still holds the title, but for a number of years they had everybody before the other areas of country had everybody. ...My elementary school had an International Night, and I believe in the 80s we had students from over 45 different countries, and that is back when that school was like 60% white. ...Now it's less than 25% white. The demographics in Maryland have changed big time over the past 30+ years.
Due to demographics change, there are many brides/grooms searching out those DJs who mesh well with them ethnically. I see many inquiries on gig masters where bride is looking for a bilingual DJ. ...I often see inquiries where bride wants a DJ who knows Bollywood, and Punjabi music etc.
African Americans USUALLY want a African American DJ. Hispanics USUALLY want a Hispanic DJ. ...Years ago, there were way less Hispanic DJs in the market so I often deejayed weddings where I was asked to play Miringue, Salsa etc. ...Today, there are many more Hispanic speaking DJs in the market there to fill the need for the Hispanic DJ, so I don't see those weddings where I am asked to play a lot of Hispanic music so often. The Hispanic community has created the bilingual DJ to fill that need pretty well where 10 years ago there weren't hardly any bilingual DJs in the area
However, I would rather book a typical mainstream music wedding over a ethnic wedding.
With that said. My area has changed significantly over the years. Baltimore/DC Metro is far from "white bread" America. We have every ethnicity imaginable. In fact, Montgomery County where I am from was the most diverse county in the country back in the 80s and 90s. Other areas have grown, so not sure MOCO still holds the title, but for a number of years they had everybody before the other areas of country had everybody. ...My elementary school had an International Night, and I believe in the 80s we had students from over 45 different countries, and that is back when that school was like 60% white. ...Now it's less than 25% white. The demographics in Maryland have changed big time over the past 30+ years.
Due to demographics change, there are many brides/grooms searching out those DJs who mesh well with them ethnically. I see many inquiries on gig masters where bride is looking for a bilingual DJ. ...I often see inquiries where bride wants a DJ who knows Bollywood, and Punjabi music etc.
African Americans USUALLY want a African American DJ. Hispanics USUALLY want a Hispanic DJ. ...Years ago, there were way less Hispanic DJs in the market so I often deejayed weddings where I was asked to play Miringue, Salsa etc. ...Today, there are many more Hispanic speaking DJs in the market there to fill the need for the Hispanic DJ, so I don't see those weddings where I am asked to play a lot of Hispanic music so often. The Hispanic community has created the bilingual DJ to fill that need pretty well where 10 years ago there weren't hardly any bilingual DJs in the area
The ability to have another DJ fill in and play genres I don't know such as hip hop? Not everything that separates one from the competition is a good thing
@rickryan.com you gotta take Mix off ignore it's a whole new world where we are at
Definitely thinking about DID. I wonder with whom we're talking to at different times.
@rickryan.com you gotta take Mix off ignore it's a whole new world where we are at
NO. He's not worth another minute of my time.
I love seeing others viewpoints, as a 60 year old DJ who doesn't feel 60 I know that ny time is coming, but I have a bottle of pills ready when it comes! LOL
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gxwutvlTw8
Where I'm from and dealing with newer music there are songs out there that aren't on the mainstream side. They have songs that you just can't find anywhere. Some will not accept that you come close to what they want. They will want it to be exact.
Some songs that they don't play on the radio. Glad to hear those who don't have a problem with getting help from a client. I do to at times. What I ask them is what specific songs they want when I'm not sure. I 've had times when it works well and other times it has worked OK. Other times not at all. I'm happy for those who have done events where they weren't sure about the music and yet it worked out well.
Some songs that they don't play on the radio. Glad to hear those who don't have a problem with getting help from a client. I do to at times. What I ask them is what specific songs they want when I'm not sure. I 've had times when it works well and other times it has worked OK. Other times not at all. I'm happy for those who have done events where they weren't sure about the music and yet it worked out well.
