Nicknames in the EDM scene
I’m working on a Folklore project about nicknames and I’ve chosen to explore ones used by the Electronic Dance Music (EDM) community. As part of my research, I was wondering if any of you could provide input on the information I’ve already collected (i.e. confirm or debunk the definition(s) and use(s) of these names). I’d like to incorporate your contributions into the paper, so if you would NOT like to be included/quoted, please say so in your posts. Your forum names/handles will suffice instead of real names, however I can use additional pseudonyms if you so desire.
Please note that the following is a very rough edit of selected text from the paper, hence the lack of references and citations:
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Nicknames Project: Find at least ten nicknames of people who belong to a particular group. The group can be a group of friends, a class, several generations of a family, a recreational group, a workplace group, or another group that shares some traditions. Explain the meanings and origins of each nickname. Indicate how you learned each nickname and its meaning. Are there any particular individuals who most commonly make up or use these names? When and where are these nicknames used or not used? Who uses them? Who doesn’t? Why or why not? How do age, gender, social class, social context, and length of membership in the group affect who uses these names?
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Group: The Electronic Dance Music (EDM) community
Nicknames: Candy raver, DJ, E-tard, Gina, Gino, Gothic raver, Graver, Raver, Hoochie, Jaded, Junglist, Old-skool, Selecta, Turntablist
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The nickname “DJ” is an abbreviation of “Disc-Jockey” which is a name for a person who presents a sequence of music by mixing records. It dates back to 1934 when the term was first created by Walter Winchell in describing radio announcer Martin Block’s usage of operating record discs. The name was used almost exclusively for radio Disc-Jockeys until the 1960s and 70s brought forth the performance DJ. The key difference between the radio and performance DJ was the latter’s ability to synchronize the beats of each consecutive record (more commonly known as beat-matching) and blending and transiting seamlessly between each song (a practice known as mixing). This style of DJ-ing became most popular in the Disco scene until its collapse in the late 1970s. It was later resurrected in the early to mid-1980s with the creation of House music and has gone on to produce a plethora of various styles of EDM.
While the term DJ is used publicly to refer to anyone who performs records, EDM community members believe that a “true” DJ is capable of at least beat-matching and mixing. Both men and women can be DJs, although the scene has been dominated more by males. DJing is not an age-specific practice, however younger DJs are usually taken less seriously by community members unless the DJ in question is able to display a significant degree of talent. DJs, like EDM enthusiasts, come from all different types of backgrounds, ethnicities and social circles. Their individual playing style is usually influenced by the environment they practice and perform in. However this is not always the case with modern abilities to expose oneself to multiple styles of EDM (i.e. internet, global music marketplace).
A DJ may be referred to by a number of other nicknames depending on which subgenre of EDM he or she most commonly performs. The name “Selecta” evolved out of the Jungle/Drum ‘n’ Bass subgenre which has roots in both reggae/ragga and rave culture. The name is a play on the DJ’s role as the primary music selector, combined with a form of Jamaican/Caribbean dialect.
The nickname “Turntablist”, originally coined by DJ Babu in 1994, is both genre and style-sensitive in terms of its use. A DJ who is referred to in this context must exhibit proficient if not exclusive skill in the art of “scratching” (manually manipulating records to produce a unique sound, usually in conjunction with the manipulation of a mixer’s cross-fader). The practice of scratching/turntablism evolved out of the Hip-Hop scene and bridged over into the EDM scene throughout the 1980s. The name is a play on a DJ’s focus on the use of his or her turntables and mixer to manipulate the sound of the record.
The nickname “raver” refers to EDM community members who regularly attend raves. Raves first came about in the United Kingdom in the 1980s through the evolution of the “acid house” movement. Acid house is an EDM subgenre that was brought over from the United States and was exceptionally received by British youth. The underground scene grew to such magnitudes that these all-night club parties were over-packed with dancers. Law enforcement stepped in to crackdown on fire-code violations and raid for illegal drugs. The EDM community in these areas then moved their venues to abandoned warehouses and other similar architecture which coined the phrase “warehouse parties”. Again, the local law enforcement began to intervene and shut down these events. Finally, raves were designed to overpower law enforcement with even larger numbers by setting up elaborate and complex directions for participants which ultimately resulted in huge numbers gathering in a predetermined secret location all at once.
There are several different types of nicknames for ravers. Each name corresponds to a different “clique” or musical genre within the EDM scene. They are usually derived by certain specific qualities such as dress, behavior, social class, musical subgenre association, and/or age and length of membership. Both males and females belong to each type of raver.
“Candy ravers” are ravers who are most easily identified by their apparel. Their dress consists of brightly colored clothing such as large baggy pants and elaborate fake furs. Their accessories consist mainly of candy-jewelry, glow-sticks and pacifiers. They are very friendly and sociable, usually offering other ravers similar accessory items, hugs and massages. Many have adopted an old EDM ideology known as “Peace, Love, Unity and Respect” better known through the acronym “P.L.U.R.”. However, the authenticity of these values is often heavily debated by older ravers due to the rapid commercialization of the rave movement over the years. Their general “happy-go-lucky” attitude has made their style of raving synonymous with the abuse of methylene dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) otherwise known as Ecstasy or simply “E”. As such, candy ravers are sometimes referred to negatively as “E-tards” which is a play on both the slang term for the narcotic and “retard”.
"Gothic ravers” (or “Gravers” for short) are another type of raver who are easily identified by their appearance. They often dress entirely in black, sometimes incorporating bursts of color. Accessories include but are not limited to fishnets, spikes, buckles, and iconographic objects such as roman crosses, pentagrams and items pertaining to sexual fetishes. Unlike candy ravers, gothic ravers seldom socialize outside of their own social circles and only occasionally engage in dancing.
While “Hoochies” may be identified by their dress, they are recognized mostly for their behavior and attitudes. Hoochies are often well-dressed wearing brand-name, designer or whatever is considered “trendy” apparel at the time. They come from wealthy and successful families, which allow them to afford and indulge in their expensive clothing styles. Males and females of this type of raver are referred to as “Ginos” and “Ginas” respectively. They are often snooty towards others at raves and are usually more interested in locating a mate, rather than enjoy the rave experience.
Junglists are ravers who listen primarily to Jungle/Drum ‘n’ Bass subgenres of EDM. They are often viewed as being "agro" (angry or hostile for no apparent reason). Their dress usually consists of camouflage patterns, hooded sweatshirts, and dark colored clothing. Both male and female Junglists adopt specific hairstyles including dreadlocks, short hair. Usually only females will style their hair as being short except for two long strands in the front. A large number of Junglists are former candy ravers, and may also crossover with "old-skool" or "jaded" ravers.
“Old-skool” and “jaded” ravers are identified by having been involved in the rave scene for a significant amount of time. These veterans are sometimes known to complain and compare the modern rave and EDM scene to their early experiences. Most old-skool ravers are also jaded ravers. However, not all jaded ravers are old-skool ravers. They merely share the same views as old-skool ravers.
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Do all but that which would bring harm to yourself or others.
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I figured gothic people were more interested in rock/metal or even ancient music, rather than Tiest0r supersaws and Justine Suissa singing about love and unicorns.
Not to mention it just down right grosses me out. But i will admit i have taken my shirt off before at ultra with just my sports bra on... but i stayed in my own area. It was HOT AS HELL back in the bayfront amp in the front.
