Digital music has created many shifts in the music industry in recent years for professional DJs. As we gain more access to music, we have the ability to listen to music that we would not have heard otherwise. This has produced a more diverse group of genre in the Top 40. We can have songs from Rock, Dance, R&B, Country, Pop, Hip Hop, Rap and artists from around the globe all at the top of the charts in the same week.
Let’s take a look at this week’s Billboard Top Ten. We have “Call Me Maybe”, Gotye, Fun., Usher, David Guetta, Maroon 5, Nicki Minaj, Ellie Goulding, Rihanna and Katy Perry all in the Top Ten. Flo Rida, Luke Bryan, Eric Church and Kanye West are not far behind.
As professional DJs, now more than ever it takes commitment and discipline to make certain we always have what our clients want ready for last minute gigs when they come up. If not, what do we do when someone requests a song we don’t have because we were not diligent in keeping our music library current?
I try my best to go through the current music charts weekly to make sure I stay on top of what is new and hot. Another unique aspect of the digital music industry is that a song can make its debut one week and be on the top of the charts the following week. If not paying attention, a professional DJ may miss what some of our client’s want and what their guests may request. I have learned through experience as a professional DJ that regardless of the music the Bride and Groom choose before their wedding, there will always be someone who wants to hear some new popular songs. Good professional DJs will be prepared and done their ‘homework’. This is part of what makes a professional Wedding DJ here in the New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania area’s commitment to the craft of being professional DJs more challenging. Our listeners and clients have more diverse taste in music than most of the country due to our extremely diverse populations. I thrive in this environment and would not enjoy my work nearly as much if I lived in an area that was not as diverse in its musical taste and choices to dance to! I would think any true professional DJ feels the same way.
