Just getting this through my head.In addidtion to all of the '80s memories(I'm 38) of MJ beingexpressed so well here, I find most of the thoughts in my headturning to my memories of being in the club playing Michael.I mean, mygod, you just couldn't go wrong when the needle dropped.I distinctly remember when I finally got how essential his dancemusic was to being a sucessful DJ. EVERY single gig I have everplayed since then, MJ was in the crate, wether he got played or not,wether it was a funk night, disco, whatever.I got paid $100 to play smooth criminal from a coke dealer in the '90s.I bet I have played "billie jean" over 50 times at the club. Easily.For that matter, how fun is that record to mix?And Blame It On The Boogie? Sheeeeiiit. Was there ever an artist that is more of a sureshot on the floor?I don't think so.Please add on your local DJ'ing MJ experiences.
DJ'n MJ Appreciation Post
- Thread starter vinylstalker
- Start date
For sure... it was only a year or so ago after DJing a regular funk night that i realised the effect of MJ in a disco/funk/soul set. And not long after playing regularly at a place in Syd called the Tonic Lounge, i realised that the most consistently requested artist was MJ. For a year every time i played at Tonic, i would get an MJ request.
I was talking to B-Cause about this once, we basically came to the agreement that if you play "Billie Jean" at a gig and there's little to no reaction then you know for certain that people are not ready to party. That being said I can't think of many times that his music hasn't moved a crowd.
My soul nights around town mainly focus on 1965-75, so obviously this means that nothing from MJ's Epic Records years will be played ("Thriller," "Billie Jean," etc.). But I always find room on the turntable for the classic Motown sides like "ABC" and "The Love You Save." That is dancefloor catnip, right there.
Absolutely.
My memories will be tied to playing his music, from ghetto-ass bars to bourgeoisie weddings, from real heads get togethers to corporate gigs, you always got the same reaction to MJ.
ALWAYS.
His music was and will remain so damn powerful.
shiiit, just think of all the dancing and good times 'dont stop till you get enough' has provoked...
My memories will be tied to playing his music, from ghetto-ass bars to bourgeoisie weddings, from real heads get togethers to corporate gigs, you always got the same reaction to MJ.
ALWAYS.
His music was and will remain so damn powerful.
shiiit, just think of all the dancing and good times 'dont stop till you get enough' has provoked...
I haven't played out in over 2 years(retirement-from-the-game-related), and I just got an offer from a club in town to do a monthly MJ night.
That was quick.
Made me start thinking, who else in dance music would this even be possible for? Besides JB, obviously.
I mean, with Janet, Jermaine-n-em, the J5 stuff, the Jacksons disco stuff, and the solo Quincy stuff, you got 3 hours easily, all dancefloor ready.
Hell, you can double up BillieJean for 15 minutes.
Just an incredible body of work from a dancefloor perspective.
I want to hear some working DJs chime in on this thread.
Batmon,Cosmo et al, I'm sure yall have some rad MJ on the turntable
stories or memories.
Bonus Beat- What working DJ has NEVER played, or owned MJ?
(I'm lookin at you, Frank!
)
That was quick.
Made me start thinking, who else in dance music would this even be possible for? Besides JB, obviously.
I mean, with Janet, Jermaine-n-em, the J5 stuff, the Jacksons disco stuff, and the solo Quincy stuff, you got 3 hours easily, all dancefloor ready.
Hell, you can double up BillieJean for 15 minutes.
Just an incredible body of work from a dancefloor perspective.
I want to hear some working DJs chime in on this thread.
Batmon,Cosmo et al, I'm sure yall have some rad MJ on the turntable
stories or memories.
Bonus Beat- What working DJ has NEVER played, or owned MJ?
(I'm lookin at you, Frank!
Like I was getting at in the other MJ thread, you better have the right records lined up after you drop that MJ cut ... especially at a wedding when you are playing to a mixed crowd. Noone has the same level of universal appeal. When in doubt, the best follow up to an MJ cut is another MJ cut. At least it buys you more time to dig out the sure shots.
i've been so tired of MJ requests over the past few years. sometimes i'll play them and lately its been ruining my dancefloor. looking forward to playing them tonight though!
I think its safe to say that MJ has always been the most "guranteed go-to" artist for DJs in the history of DJs. Weather its a corporate event, a wedding, the Club, the Hipster Club, Block Party, House Party or wherever...i cant think of any place that MJ wouldnt go over. There is no other artist that you can say that about. Not even Hall and Oats
Yes.I think its safe to say that MJ has always been the most "guranteed go-to" artist for DJs in the history of DJs. Weather its a corporate event, a wedding, the Club, the Hipster Club, Block Party, House Party or wherever...i cant think of any place that MJ wouldnt go over. There is no other artist that you can say that about. Not even Hall and Oats
This is why I started this thread.
I am officialy claiming the following is a fact:
Michael Jackson made the most DJ-able music in the history of music.
We can all easily agree on the import of his music in pop culture.
There are alot of DJs here, tho, and I would like to hear from that perspective.
Yes.I think its safe to say that MJ has always been the most "guranteed go-to" artist for DJs in the history of DJs. Weather its a corporate event, a wedding, the Club, the Hipster Club, Block Party, House Party or wherever...i cant think of any place that MJ wouldnt go over. There is no other artist that you can say that about. Not even Hall and Oats
This is why I started this thread.
I am officialy claiming the following is a fact:
Michael Jackson made the most DJ-able music in the history of music.
We can all easily agree on the import of his music in pop culture.
There are alot of DJs here, tho, and I would like to hear from that perspective.
I'm not a dj.
How much better is MJ than JB? (naturally by better I mean better at filling a dance floor.)
Are there songs (perhaps Brick House or Respect) that work as well as GBSS or Billie Jeane by artist that don't have a second song to back it up?
All those songs were on pause tapes I made for dance parties in the 80s.
Edit: Their/there
it depends on what dance floor's you're on about. MJ>JB in teh hipster club or weddings or other non music fanatic dance floors, but you get into a club that has a reputation for playing out good music and has good crowds then i'd say it would be MJ=JB. But this is just what i think, im no Cosmo Baker or DJ Ayres.
it depends on what dance floor's you're on about. MJ>JB in teh hipster club or weddings or other non music fanatic dance floors, but you get into a club that has a reputation for playing out good music and has good crowds then i'd say it would be MJ=JB. But this is just what i think, im no Cosmo Baker or DJ Ayres.
I think, in terms of the easiest stuff to DJ with? MJ >>>>> JB (this assumes J5 material is fair game).
No real contest actually.
