structure, but at the end of the day I choose my songs.” – Bedz “My playlist is open thanks to good training, knowing how to sandwich new records with hits, and listeners trusting I will play dope shit.” – Bee “We have a playlist but we have freedom. We just can’t get too crazy, for example, having a whole show with all new music is a no-no.” – Bishop “Hot 103.9 lets me do me. Shout out to Chris Conners. E93 be on some bullshit sometimes.” – B-Lord “My program director decides what should be played, so it’s out of my hands completely.” – Civil Rightz
“Yes. I used to have a PD who had no clue what was hot and when I was breaking 50 Cent’s ‘Wanksta’ I was bringing it back, popping shit, blowing it up, and he called me and said, ‘Stop playing that record; it’s a novelty record and 50 will never be anything.’ Needless to say, he’s no longer in radio. There’s nothing worse than a PD who is not openminded, at least to DJs who actually are in the club and know what’s poppin’.” – Clinton Sparks “Playlists are restrictive all over. What people fail to understand is radio is based on numbers – the more people that listen, the more you can sell ad time for. I know a lot of talented artists with no radio love because they don’t have a buzz. Radio is 30% community service, 70% ratings. We gotta eat too. I haven’t gotten in trouble for playing a record, but I did get suspended for not playing ‘Laffy Taffy’ and R. Kelly records. I don’t condone whack rappers or child molesters!” – Cristal Bubblin “I have total freedom over what I play on my mixshow on 66 RAW. It’s an unedited Hip Hop station so the only way I would get in trouble is if I played some crazy R&B or Pop records that were totally left field of the station’s format.” - DNA “As with anything, there are rules. Being that I’m the Mixshow Coordinator, I’ve got a little say with my PD and MD. I got into trouble years back with Phil Michaels, my PD over at WPYO in Orlando. I had a record I thought was a certified banger. DMX and Jay-Z were at the top of their game, so why not blast it off?” – Ekin “On regular radio I can basically do what I want as long as the track is radio friendly, but you gotta stick with the more popular stuff to keep the listeners’ attention. As far as my online station, I play what I want, curse words and all. There’s more room for experimentation.” – Frogie “I’m fortunate enough to be the Hip Hop and R&B music director for my station, so my playlist is not very restrictive. But, once when I was working at another radio station, I did get in trouble for trying to slip in some music. It was when the Dirty Boyz had first come out and I was trying to show them some love.” – Hot Girl Maxximum “My show is based on my personality first, but also my ear for music. I’ve had major restrictions in the past, but currently I have the highest rated night show from 7-11 p.m in station history. A lot changes when you’re #1.” – Peter Parker “The playlists can be pretty restrictive, which can
be annoying, but you have to communicate with the PD/MD if you really believe in a song and feel it’s in the best interest of the station. I was fired for playing this song by Deemi called ‘Soundtrack of My Life’ because it wasn’t on the list. It never became a #1 hit, but I still feel it was a good song.” – Spontaneous “Without rules you would have chaos. At
my station we believe everybody deserves a chance. If the record is good enough it will stand on its own. Yes, I have gotten in trouble for playing something I shouldn’t have played. It wasn’t because I was being reckless; I just should have checked with my PD before I played it. Sometimes things are going on behind the scenes that we as mixers know nothing about. That’s why you have to be on the same page with the rest of your mixers and management. Together we stand but divided you will take the fall.” – Jo-Ski Luv “It’s very restrictive. We’re allowed a certain number of songs to spike and I stay in trouble with my PD for playing records.” – Marc X “As a mixshow DJ, the playlist at my station is very restrictive. If there is a new R&B or Hip Hop artist that I really like, I have to make a suggestion to put it on the list.” – Peachez “We have a mixshow list that we must follow. We meet every week and go over new music and vote to see if it makes the list. My situation is a lil different because I’m also the night jock. I can play records not on the list during my show but just like anything, you can’t go overboard.” – Wrekk 1 Every successful DJ needs to know their craft, but what else should a DJ acquire before hitting the streets?: Besides talent, what are 3 things a DJ needs to have to be successful? “Determination for the ones who will always tell you that you won’t succeed. Creativity which makes you different from the other DJs and humility to always lend a helping hand to another DJ or artist who is on the come-up. Never forget where you came from.” – 2Mello “A following, an effective moniker, a true skill for crowd control.” – Averi Minor “Humility, work ethic, and resolve.” – Bedz “Knowledge of music, the ability to mix – not just on beat but the transitions gotta make sense. Just because two songs have the same tempo doesn’t mean they mix. And a hunger for the artform. If you do it just for money and fame eventually you’ll lose your passion for it.” – Bee “A serious work ethic, a wide range of musical tastes, and an undying respect for their profession.” – Black Bill Gates “It’s important to keep your ear to the streets because change is constant. Secondly, a strong sense of self. Everyone wants to make you in the image that they want. Third, good equipment, sleep, Red Bull, and people that ride or die for you.” – Bomshell Boogie “Personality, humility, and knowledge of the business.” – Cristal Bubblin
“Being open minded about your music, being humble, and having hustle.” – Derty Vegas “Love for the music will keep you going. You have to be on your grind 24/7 because the entertainment industry is rough and can send you working at McDonald’s in no time. Most importantly, you have to have good business sense. The DJ is always the first person people are trying to get over on when it comes to getting paid.” - DNA
“A lot of connections, good song selections, and girls. You’ve got to have good looking women around you; it attracts a lot of attention whether or not you suck at DJing.” – Gottem “To be a successful DJ it’s very important that you market yourself, treat DJing like you would any other business, and know how to read your crowd.” – Dre “Business savvy. Your word should mean something because that’s all that you have at the end of the day. A good team. If you look at the ones who are really making it, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes to keep it moving.” – Ekin “Hustle, determination, and some money invested in themselves.” – Folk “Be consistent, be professional, and network.” – Furious Styles “Business savvy, long term goals as a DJ, and of course a good ear for music.” – Gloss “Know music front and back; know how to put on a show with the mic; and have some damn swag.” – Holiday “Loyalty, prayer, and hustle.” – Incognito
“This profession will wear you out sometimes so you’ve gotta have the drive to keep going even though nobody may show up at every party you do. You need the ear to know what the people want to hear and what songs go well together when you’re mixing, and professionalism. Get your contracts together. Show up early for your gigs. Have your music organized.” – JoNasty “Excellent marketing and promotions; relationships, not only in the music industry but with the people of the community, with your family; and drive and commitment. You gotta have something deep down inside of you to make you wanna do this job. There are a lot of dues to be paid before you start making serious money.” – Jo-Ski Luv “Strong work ethic, knowledge of technology, and an open mind.” – Judge Mental “Great record selection, great mic work, and a feel for when the record you’re playing has lost its energy.” – King Arthur “Being humble, proactive, and consistent.” – Mesta “Intelligence, motivation and being a real individual. You can have all the talent in the world but if you’re not intelligent, don’t have motivation, and you’re a fake person, you’re going no where.” – Radio “Diversity, personality, crowd control, networking skills. Oh, and the internet.” – Rage
OZONE MAG // 75