Ok, I am stepping up to the soapbox.

I know exactly what people are talking about in having to play hip hop and mainstream stuff to make a buck at a typical party. It was said to make sure the hosts know what you spin, I agree totally. If you are a trance DJ, don't try to act like a hip hop DJ, it just comes off poorly. If you feel comfortable spinning the latest hip hop tunes, do it! I can spin both adequately, but I am much better at trance, I tell the hosts that.

The thing that works for me is to up the price for those people that want music beyond my collection. I will usually tell them the styles I will play, and that I have mostly trance. Then they can request other songs, which they will pay for and I will play. The builds up a collection of mainstream crap you don't have to buy. If they don't pay, you don't play. Remember, you are choosing to play this event.

If you are serious about mobile DJing or at least playing parties for friends, be prepared for asses to request hip hop, make fun of you, or not dance altogether. Guys in general feel threatened by a good DJ. But I won't get into the sociology of it all.

That's my 2 cents. Hip hop is what the kids want to hear, and if you play parties, you are pretty much required to play it. Never get into, or stay into, DJing for the money. Equipment is damn expensive, and you are always spending more, you will not recoup your "losses" (if you call it that) in the short term. Ok, I'm done. Thanks for listening.


DJ Groove
Northern California

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DJ Groove