How to become a part-time or full time DJ,by DJ Monstrosity?
What is a DJ (Disk Jockey)?
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who plays recorded music to an audience
- You would have to have some sort of basic DJ equipment to start of practicing.
- You would have to be able to read a crowd.
- You would also have to have a large collection of music, and once you start playing tunes to an audience
- that’s when you can call yourself a DJ or a DJ in the making!!!
Do have to have a specific hear/feel/talent for music to become a DJ?
Yes you do, if you do not have an “ear for music” it will be an extremely hard talent to grasp
Can one do DJ courses, if yes, where do you go to start these courses?
Yes one can , there are many known DJ’s that give lessons as well as DJ schools such as “Street Beats”
but one can also be self-thought “Practice makes perfect – a lot of trial and error”.
What equipment do you need to start “basic equipment” to practice your talent?
- It all depends on what you prefer there is the digital route, in which you use a controller and you laptop. The common route
- in which you use CD’s and a mixer whereby you play and mix songs directly from the CD’s.
- Or you can go the “Old School” rout, which you use turntables and a mixer playing and mixing music off vinyl records (this is the most difficult of the different types)
How to you get noticed as a great DJ in SA?
Well, that’s a tough one, there are many platforms in the industry such as companions, club gigs, big parties and more,“so jump at any opportunity you get to perfect your mad-talent” do allot of networking “knowing the right people, building up contacts and marketing yourself is the way to go in this and so many other industries”.
Any tips and advice you would like to add about being a DJ?
Do it for the love of music, find you own style, and be unique. DJ’s are becoming a dime a dozen but it’s who you are and how you play that makes you stand out at the end of the day.
How did you start your career as a DJ?
I first started my career at a competition in Durban called “Full Moon” by unknown entertainment in which I then won, and I guess things just took off from there.
Tell us a bit more about you and your DJ career?
I spent my adolescent years involved in the arts and my passion for music which flourished into a way of life and subsequently a vocation. I was one of the headline DJ’s who played on main stage at Durban’s Aquafest Beach Festival in June 2012 where he shared a platform for an audience base of over 9 000 people.
The opportunity to first test my hand at the art of being a DJ started at the age of fifteen when I received turntables and speakers as a birthday gift. From that day forth, I put my all into it, whilst many other kids where experiencing the vices of the stereotype terrible teens I spent countless hours mixing and playing music. With my no drugs no alcohol lifestyle I keeps my goals of one day going international always in mind never to be sidetracked by anything.
In addition to the above I shared the platform with many renowned names in the industry, such as:
DJ Mark stent, DJ dino bravo, DJ JAZZY D, DJ Kent, DJ euphonic, crazy white boy & singer nonku, DJ dean fuel, DJ roger Goode, DJ ameeth shah, DJ Ricardo de costa, DJ Fresh, DJ Deon Govender, Ryan the DJ, DJ Milkshake, West Coast Flava and countless other well know DJ’s
Can one become a full time DJ or would you rather to DJ-ing on the side as a passion?
Yes you can make a career by doing DJ-ing fulltime, but I’d say it all depends on you and you lifestyle, it’s a very “cut-throat” industry though -so whatever you do choose wisely…
What can you expect to pay for your first basic DJ kit, and what what’s does it consist of?
Well there isn’t really a specific startup kit; it all depends on how much you have to spend. Prices start from R2 000 to R100 000 so I would advise for your first set you should buy second hand equipment
Where can people get hold of you and how do you market yourself?
twitter : @DJ_Monstrosity
facebook fan page : DJ Monstrosity
facebook profile : DJ-Monstrosity aman maniram
soundcloud : www.soundcloud.com/dj_monstrosity or 07187755636 and djmonstrosity@hotmail.com