As a professional full-time DJ, I rarely perform at a NJ or NY wedding or event these days that does not at some point include music from Motown Records. For me this is not a problem since I have loved The Motown Sound since I listened on my little red Panasonic battery-operated portable radio as a kid. It did not matter to me if it was The Supremes, The Jackson 5 or Stevie Wonder; I was always a Motown fan and still am today as a professional full-time DJ.
What does surprise me as a professional DJ, is who listens to Motown today. It would not catch me off-guard if it were just the folks who listen to modern R&B and Soul or even Hip Hop. That makes sense to me as a professional DJ. I could even make the connection if it was individuals who enjoy Classic Rock since they both kind of ‘grew-up’ together. What makes me stare with astonishment is when a punk-rocker or staunch Country fan requests Motown.
I wonder what music from our current generation will be the stuff that in twenty years is played to give ‘the old people’ something to dance and relate to at parties and weddings for professional DJs? Will it be Usher and Beyonce? Or Train and Maroon 5? What about Pitbull and Enrique Igleisius? Who are the stars of today that will be the dance classics of future professional DJs?
Until then we have Motown. It is fun, soulful, danceable and a bridge from the past to the present and maybe even the future. This Saturday’s wedding will again have Motown as a primary genre to mix in with the other genres they appreciate like Punk, Rock, Oldies and Classic Soul. I feel fortunate as a professional DJ that I am hired by such interesting and creative couples for weddings and planners for parties. I know it is easier to just play the top hits all the time without any imagination or creativity but I get psyched at the alternative and unique choices that people choose for their weddings and special events and am grateful I can participate and contribute, especially when I can cue-up some Motown classics like “Superstition”, “Let’s Get It On” or “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher”.
Which are your Motown favorites?