So Everyone Is A DJ Now?

Read Time: 4 Minutes

Author

Brenmar
November 07, 2024

If you love DJing and you haven’t read “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life by Bill Brewster…

STOP reading this email and go pick it up now.

It’s a great read. You won’t regret it.

In the book we learn about Francis Grasso from NYC.

He is one of the first known DJs to beat match in the early 1970’s.

He turned playing records into an art form. 

Francis Grasso

Grasso added another layer of complexity to being a DJ.

It wasn’t just about selecting tracks anymore (although that’s still the most important part) but also how the tracks were presented and mixed.

Back then, being a DJ was a rare skill.

It was tough work.

Fast forward to today, and it feels like everyone is a DJ…

technology, accessibility, and social media = more DJs

But is this a good thing or a bad thing?

On the one hand…

With so many DJs vying for attention and playing the same music…

It can be hard to stand out because there’s just more competition.

That means it’s just not about technical skills and experience anymore.

But on the flip side…

More DJs also mean more creativity. (Boiler Room quickly comes to mind here)

We’re seeing more genre-blending, experimentation, and cross-cultural influences.

So your not Diplo, Calvin Harris, or Skrillex…now what?

If you’re a DJ trying to build your brand and stand out in 2024/2025 here are a few things to consider:

  • Pick a genre and stick with it. I get it—this might feel counterintuitive or even frustrating for those who crave musical variety. But hear me out: we gravitate toward ‘brands’ because they’re reliable. We know what we are getting. Be a specialist, not a generalist.

  • Host your own event or live stream. If you’re able to pull a crowd in person, that’s great! Just be sure to capture it on video for socials—it’ll give you more reach. Also consider hosting a regular Youtube party. Create your own world and vibe. Consistency is key here. 1 live stream every 4 months isn’t going to cut it.

  • Build a strong visual identity. You don’t exactly have to get all horsegiirL on us but zoning in on strong visuals is another tool that can help you stand out. Pick some colors and fonts and stick with them.

  • Drop your own branded DJ mixes. Release a DJ mix every month and make it memorable—give it a catchy name and build some buzz around it with monthly social posts. Do this for a year and you will start attracting fans who look forward to it every month. I did this with my own Grey Zone mix series years ago and sold merch and in-person parties off the back of the brand.

  • Post better video content. Sure, go ahead and post those clips of you DJing a party—that’s all good. But for the love of God please showcase some personality! A bunch of “cool” posed DJ pics on your Instagram isn’t going to convert into real fans. I’m not saying we need to see what you ate for lunch but give us some context into why you play what you play, how you started, what you are trying to build, etc. 

  • Learn how to produce. It REALLY helps your DJ career when you can showcase your own productions and edits/remixes. Early on, my remixes and original productions were what gave me momentum and opened doors for me to tour globally. I wouldn’t have had those chances without producing my own music. It takes time of course but with Youtube, learning to produce has never been easier.

DJing will continue to evolve and change.

Those who embrace it’s future while respecting it’s past are going to be the winners moving forward IMO.

Embrace the history, innovate with the times, and remember: being memorable isn't just about the music you play, but how you play it and how you present it to the world.

Appreciate you!

Chat next Thursday!

Brenmar

P.S. What can I help you with? What problems with content creation, DJing, or music production do YOU have? Any advice or tactics you’d like to get? Respond to this email and let me know.

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