i play top 40 gigs

nothing to brag about, not much skill involved other than track selection as i'm not into turntablism and scratching

it's usually a bar gig when they don't really care a whole lot as long as the music is good, simple radio fades are fine

but track selection is key

always pays good and is usually a good time

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I used to be a turntablist and this is going back some. Started spinning Hip Hop in about 1985. A lot has changed since then not just the techniques.

Sadly for me the genre lost it's charm in the early to mid 90's, perhaps as I was getting more and more into EDM although they did manage to co-exist for some time with me. I think one of the things that put me of the whole thing was just how mainstream it was all becoming. Saying that, I don't mind mainstream as long as the quality remains but I found that it was becoming more diluted.
I do accept that there is still good quality stuff coming out but for some reason Hip Hop has lost that feel of what made me fall in love with it. That said, things do change and so do we.

Hip Hop is firmly established as a black music form although things haven't always been so. These days it's often overlooked that the Hispanic culture in the Bronx and indeed Brooklyn had a great impact in starting off this movement and a lot of the original B-Boys had Puerto Rican backgrounds.

The Electro element of the movement had a big influence on the EDM that we listen to today. If you want to see where I'm coming from check out these tracks.

Hashim - Aalnaafysh (The Soul)
Hashim - The primrose path
Cybotron - Clear
C.O.D. - In the Bottle
Jonzun Crew - Packjam (Look out for the O.V.C)
World Class Wreckin' Cru - Juice (Dr Dre's old group before he became a gangster...)
Shannon - Let the music play
Egyptian Lover - Girls
Egyptian Lover - Egypt Egypt
Jamie Jupiter (Another name for the Egyptian Lover) - Computer Love
The Unkown DJ - Naughty Boy
Anything from Paul Hardcastle's album "Zero 1"

A lot of these are difficult to get hold of but they would give you a good insight into how it all started. I know both M.I.K.E. and Ferry are familiar with these.

You also see producers these days making nods to these tracks even today. Ferry Corsten's "It's Time' actually has a sample from Aalaafiysh in it. All of you will have heard the sample as it's that famous robotic "IT'S TIME".

I know it's slightly off topic but thought it might be a little relevant.

Cheers
Nem

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I play it too...

It's weird reading Tony's & Nemesis posts. All three of us are thousands of miles apart, and our outlook at hip hop is different. It is evident that the hip hop scene is way different in each other's cities.

Tony says that there's "not much skill" involved and that all you need is a "simple radio fade." Here in Southern California, you need to have skills to be able to survive in this game. You need to set your self apart from the rest and a simple fade is not longer acceptable. Even radio in SoCal doesn't do simple fades anymore.

Than Nemesis talks about the forgotten aspect of Latin Culture. Again, here in SoCal is different. Latinos (I'm one), are a huge part of this culture. They are not forgotten at all.

I do agree with the Nemesis' classic hip hop / freestyle influence he mentioned. A lot of these artists influenced many artist of today, both EDM and Non EDM. Ferry Corsten's IT's TIME samples the infamous Hashim - Aalnaafysh (The Soul). Newcleus' JAM ON IT, just got a remake done, and it was featured several weeks ago on Dance Department as the song to look out for. Planet Rock's beats are imitated very often. Listen to Fergie's FERGALICIOUS, she uses the beat. And the list goes on.

I don't hate on any style of music, I learned to appreciate all and use it to my advantage.

i was also referring to top 40, which is different than hip hop, i look at hip hop being true and lyrical, this "music" coming out nowadays can barely be described as hip hop, it's blingin and bitches

i don't deny that it takes skill to play hip hop and enjoy a talented hip hop dj

i was contemplating picking up some hip hop records and having a go at it, i enjoy edm too much

here in calgary, no one seems to care a whole lot

i can walk into a club, play half assed, people have the floor packed the entire time, i have fun and they do too, i get drunk and paid

calgary is definately a hick town, you just have to know how to use it to your advantage

i can count the number of good hip hop djs in calgary on my hands, maybe even one hand

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Personally I began my career as a turntablist and underground hip-hop DJ. I still listen to underground hip-hop but there really aren't any places I can play that style around here. Everyone wants to hear about bling, and bitches, and violence, etc...

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quote:

Originally posted by DjWoody Than Nemesis talks about the forgotten aspect of Latin Culture. Again, here in SoCal is different. Latinos (I'm one), are a huge part of this culture. They are not forgotten at all.

Actually, shame on me. I overlooked this as I'm well aware of this fact. SoCal is a bit of an exception and has a fine tradition of Latin Hip Hop. To be honest it's actually the one style I still enjoy. I live the mix of Hispanic and generally a latin flavour. I have a lot of Kid Frost and Delinquent Habits amongst others, but if you have any good tips then if you could PM them to me I would be most greatful?

Hey Woody, do you remember the first Kid Frost track? Or at least the first one I heard was in about 86/87 "The Terminator". A million miles away from La Raza but I love both tracks just as much.


Zild
Yeah, I hate that bling talk and shit too. It is mind numbingly dull and un-original to the max.

Cheers
Nem

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