it seems when i read the forum that some people don't really know dj culture.
And then judge it with nonsense or just bad "cliche"...
which is strange for people who want to have the latest plugin or Vst in their computer...
So, without going into too much detail,and with no pretention, let's recap the main points of DJ culture:

how it all began...

It seems that it all started with Jamaican sound systems.
It was the first place where we played records back-to-back, trying to ensure there was no silence between the two records.
it was also the first place where speakers were built that allowed records to be played at a very high volume in order to get people dancing and do “justice” to the sound of the records, that was the first place where the mixing desk was used to isolate some frenquencies, especially the " Bass ."
At that time the Dj was called a "selector", the B-side of the record were intrumental ( later dub version), which allowed singers to come and sing ( the toasting) and improvise on the records.
some say it's the root of Hip-Hop.
click on the pics...

In the early 1970s, hip-hop was born in New York, drawing on the codes of Jamaican sound systems with an american culture, James Brown's records, The Last Poets, etc. were initially the soundtrack of this movement.
The scratch technique was born at that moment.
better than words, watch & listen:

or:

or

then in late 70's the Disco was born in New-York, Studio 54.
This sound, with electronic pioneer like kraftwerk, jm Jarre, ect are the basment of house & techno culture.

in the 80's "house" was born in Chicago,
the dj using some technique from hip-hop (pitch,pass-pass, etc) to mix together 2 records or more at the same time, when the 2 records where mixing together, you have a new record....and like the jamaican, the sound system has to be huge...
the record that were played could be funk, could be kraftwerk, ect...
the goal was to dance all night long.

At the same time, samplers and drum machines became affordable.
Emu ensoniq, tr808-909...
Some DJs then produced & write their own tracks, which they played in their sets.

From there, dozens of styles and scenes emerged:
Acid house, techno, trance, drum& bass and so on...
From detroit to Manchester, from Berlin to London,Paris....

Drum & bass mix;

minimal house live act:

Deep house style mix:

techno style mix:

So is a dj is a musician ?

I'll let you answer that, but DJs and electronic music are clearly part of modern music culture, just like pop,rock.
And like in every style you could have great artists,and bad artists...

So a DJ isn't just a guy clapping his hands in front of an audience who are watching him through their mobile-phones.

like pop music isn't just a teenger masturbating on Samanta Fox record cover...


In Hope you understand my poor english....

 

I would assume that you underestimate "forum users," else (i think), there might be "a few" who don't overestimate the topic even though they are musicians. One doesn't exclude the other. Otherwise, I assume they will learn it somehow. Perhaps with a book likr this:

as i own in German and highly recommend it, it covers everything

Since the topic seems to be of interest to you, I have an anecdote: as a boy, I wrote a letter to Bristol and received a very funny one in return! It was from Roger Johnson (RIP), and you don't necessarily need to know who he is unless you're interested in the topic (the reason was by the way his Dimple D's Sucker DJ transition who blow at the time all away, another popular DJ (Ben liebrand)do similar short time later in his legendary yearmix "Grandmix"! *btw still today* ) ... and now the BEST *lol* I do it also, not long time ago see here:

 

Last edited: Dec 16, 2025 at 12:21 AM

@Illa-g4ng:
Everyone is a DJ until you put them in front of either Craze or Qbert…

1996 ITF World Finals: DJ Craze Vs Total Eclipse

Dj Craze - Tablism.

Dj Craze - Live At DMC World Finals (2019)

Q-Bert VS. Craze /TTV vol.3/

DJ CRAZE 1998 I.T.F. WORLD FINALS

1995/1996 USA DMC Finals : DJ Swamp



The World Famous Beat Junkies (some modern sets)

1997 World ITF DJ Finals - Beat Juggling Final - DJ Babu vs Rholi Rho

LIVE! AT THE LAB w/ Rhettmatic - DJ Set at Turntable Lab NYC

EP.1 DJ Melo-D - Vinyl Set of Funk, Soul, Jazz, Hip Hop & More

 

One like it other ones not, here is a Hero of mine today by expession that thread wit pure turntableism (i love it):SEE HERE

 

Last edited: Dec 16, 2025 at 12:39 AM

The sentiment to educate is admirable, but have you considered that some of the opinions here on topics like hip hop, DJ'ing, sampling, using samples, computer only composing, edm and so on, are not from ignorance, they're from choice. It's mostly some types of traditional instrument playing musicians who will never accept other forms of creative expression as being as valid as theirs or even valid at all. There are other factors at play for the hate, bias, gatekeeping and hierarchy, but if I go into it I'd get banned.

DJ culture is as nuanced as any other, so there are legitimate criticisms to be made of certain elements. Hopefully your thread exposes some who have genuinely never encountered this side of things, but from what I've seen in the discussions here, a lot of the negative opinions are definitely intentional.

 

Yeah, just had epiphany followed with bunch of flashbacks, it's mostly them acting like complete condescending elitist's about everything, while in the same time being perfectly mid in their own field of expertise sniffing their own farts... and those that really stand out are mostly really humble and open minded, probably that's why they are staying on top and in the game for so long, always learning, adapting and easy to work with and be around.

 

I don't know much about culture, but I can answer the first question "what is a dj" with a little help from my trusted Oxford English Dictionary that I won at a flea market glory hole contest :

DJ : A person whose existence can magically transform erectile dysfunction into discussions about their musical capabilities.

 

The likes of David Guetta and those guys definitely give a bad name to many DJs. While sure, the whole "wave your hands in the air" EDM thing is played out, there is so much more to the craft. Id like to see any of the people here who have a "misunderstanding" of djing try and beat match before dismissing djing as some talentless hack thing. Shit, even with CDJs it can be tricky (i mean not really with hot cues, loop points and SYNC lmao), but vinyl?! get out of here.

Its not just beat matching too. Harmonic mixing, EQ-ing, tempo adjustments while staying in sync, knowing how to move in between songs and how to tell a story with music, etc etc. All while the pressure is on to keep a room full of people entertained.

Theres also live / hybrid sets. Which are becoming more common, but thats an entirely different subject, although i still consider many of those artist as djs.

Being a good dj requires a deep understanding of music, and like @Melodic Reality stated, its a craft that many are constantly evolving, trying new techniques and experiments with sound. While of course, people are entitled to their opinions, I think its silly and close minded to completely write something off just because you may not understand it.