To9 create an excellent DJ playlist, here are some suggestions. It is important to first determine where to start. If you are in a club, it is a little clearer since you will be playing music of a similar beat-per-minute and style throughout most of the night. If it is a house party, similar to a club but you need to take into account the fact that people may need to get comfortable, relaxed and in some cases, drunk before you can crank things up to full speed.
Wedding DJs are different. At a wedding there are traditions and generations to consider. This is even truer for an afternoon wedding. People may not be ready to party yet so the professional Wedding DJ needs to allow time for folks to shift gears. Starting out with some slow music and building from there is typically the best strategy. As people are getting into the music, bring the pace up slowly and when you sense they are ready, let it fly!
As a professional Wedding DJ, you need to make space for slow songs throughout the reception. People will primarily request faster, party songs but we want to make certain everybody has a good time and often slow songs are the missing link.
Even at parties and clubs where the music selection is more defined, it is helpful and a great way to show-off your creativity by slipping in small doses of music that is related to what you are playing but it is somewhat different.
An example: Say you are professional DJ working a new club/lounge that is geared towards a Top 40 dance crowd aged 25-45. Stick with what works but every now and then stick in some hot Reggaeton or Classic Hip Hop to add some flavor. Watch the crowd and determine how much you can play before losing their energy and excitement. The way to do this is to match it to a song that may have roots in two genres like Enrique Iglesias, Taio Cruz, Shakira or Daddy Yankee, then move into something with a more Latin sound. These kinds of songs make great segues and do not get dancers lost or startled with music that does not fit in-sync with what you have been playing.
The most important thing is to take it slow when moving through genres, let people feel the shift and move with you as a cohesive unit. Remember, it is always about them. It is their music, their event and their party! he professional DJ just provides the rhythms and vibes to make it happen!
