Part 2: Ask A DJ

The Disc Jockey, or DJ for short, is a term that conjures images of records, turntables, speakers, and dancing parties. While seemingly mysterious and complex, DJing and the art of music for the masses isn’t as complicated as it may appear. To unravel some of the mystique surrounding this particular art form, DJ Cubed is opening himself up to any and all questions about DJing and the general scene. He’s been a doing it since 2004, and since then has been involved in nearly all aspects of the scene in one fashion or another.

What follows below are answers to actual questions asked by GUY.com readers in the forum. Please, visit the Ask a DJ thread to post any questions you would like an answer to.

1. Does DJing require you to officiate rap battles?

I have actually. Well not officiated, but played at. The MC’s usually have their own thing, I just play the beats.

2. How do you get a hold of the music you play? Demos sent to you?

See, this comes down to how honourable a DJ is.  It used to be, to be a really great DJ meant spending every waking hour combing through record stores, garage sales, vintage stores, any places that you could find that forgotten gem on vinyl.  45s (the little records, so named for the revolution per minutes ‘rpm’s) or 12 inchs were the only way to go. There weren’t tape decks or cds yet so people really had to dig to find that newest bomb that no one else had. Back then, a rare record would go a long way to help your career.

3. Is it all purchased/downloaded legally?  Not to get you in trouble or anything… just curious what’s protocol or ethical and then what actually happens in the industry and if there is indeed a disconnect between the two.

Nowadays, with file sharing and technology going the way it is, one could be a full time DJ with all the biggest tracks, without really ever dropping much money. I personally buy each and everyone of my DJing tracks from reputable online retailers (or local record stores, if you can afford vinyl. I have dropped over 5 Grand on vinyl since Istarted, and I can’t do it anymore.) the average record with 2 tracks (1 per side) goes for about 16.99 canadian locally. If I order from over seas its 10 bucks for the same record.  The digital tracks I can easily download to my computer instantly? $1.99.

There will always be people ripping off other people, but I have found that the respectable people in my scene generally self-police as much as possible.

Let’s keep the party going:

Have a question for Dave? Fire it off HERE