What is a Hip-Hop DJ?

January 13th, 2010 | By Big Dom

There is little doubt that since Hip-Hop’s early days, the culture has been tainted by commercialization and corporatization, washed down and regurgitated to the masses into something far from its roots. It seems that Hip-Hop’s larger community has failed in providing its youth with guidance and an understanding of Hip-Hop culture, and the knowledge to distinguish those who aim to preserve and up-lift the culture from those who are in it purely for fame and notoriety.

DJs, as central figures in the global Hip Hop community, have a significant role in shaping peoples understanding and perception of Hip-Hop culture. And unfortunately, we have reached a point where Hip-Hop’s new generation of DJs have a distorted perception of their own culture.

I can’t help but feel an overwhelming concern for the current state of Hip-Hop. Part of this concern stems from confusion as to what really constitutes a Hip-Hop DJ. Is it that person you see behind the decks at your favourite club, spinning popular records as dictated by commercial radio? Or is it that person you love to hear because of their dedicated playlist of anthems from Hip-Hop’s golden era? The answer is neither.

I remember as an adolescent going out to hear my favorite DJs play the clubs around Sydney. These venues had an amazing ambience created neither by their interior design nor their door policy. No. The patrons and - most importantly - the DJs created that atmosphere.

Regardless of age or socio economics, we frequented Hip-Hop nights to participate in what might have been described as tribal ritual, forfeiting ourselves to the entrancing rhythmic compositions of the DJ. The DJ, in their own zone, brought the audience to climax [multiple times] throughout the night - not by playing club anthems or overly familiar tunes, but by their sheer mastery of musical selection and timing. This recount may sound idealistic [perhaps even mythical] within the context of our current clubbing climate, but a true Hip-Hop DJ has an amazing ability to connect with their audience just as their resonant ancestor, the Shaman.

Real Hip-Hop DJs, regardless of geography, harbor a detailed understanding of the history, culture, methodologies and ideologies of those pioneers that paved the way and enabled them to carry on the DJ tradition. They have no concern for genre, only for their control over the dance floor.

Real Hip-Hop DJs play music from around the world; beats and breaks, signed or unsigned, old or new - all which is tossed into a sonic melting pot, mixed, blended and cut-up for audience satisfaction. These DJs expose their audience to a variety of music. It can be rock, jazz, funk, soul, go-go, electro, etc. It is how the DJ manipulates that music on their turntables that defines the sound emanating from the speakers as Hip-Hop.

Real Hip-Hop DJs utilize their skills to help break new artists. Hip-Hop came from the streets, its music came from the streets, its artists came from the streets. Hip-Hop DJs have access to music from up-and-coming artists long before they are signed to a label, therefore enabling them to be the first to introduce us to new talent in a commercial setting.

Real Hip-Hop DJs have full control of the tracks being selected. They are not susceptible to payola. It is the Hip-Hop DJ that the people have invested their trust in to keep them on the dance floor. Hip-Hop DJs do not slave to patron requests, what’s hot or what’s charting.

Real Hip-Hop DJs are capable of working back-and-forth with an MC, making the crowd respond spontaneously to their combination of beats and rhymes. This partnership between the Hip-Hop DJ and MC facilitates audience interaction and engagment with the music, as opposed to just making them dance.

Real Hip-Hop DJs started in the streets, uplifting their people. That’s what’s up.

One Love. Zulu peace and empowerment for all,

Mista Killa

For comments please email Mista Killa on mistakilla@hotmail.com.