Speed Quality Price

I Want It All…And I Want It NOW! Not to mention CHEAP.

This is a big misconception by many clients in this industry that look to book quality DJ entertainment for their event. They know they need a DJ with a solid reputation and recognition, which is good. That means that high quality, talented DJ's are in high demand, which means work for good DJ's. But work shouldn’t leave a DJ with a bad taste in their mouth. Clients are under considerable stress to pull off a successful event. Deadlines, budgets, etc. all cause a client headaches.

This point is well taken. It also should be known that a license to be demanding can prohibit the DJ for doing a successful event and performing at a high level. If a client dictates a timeline that is unmanageable, the professional entertainer should be allowed to educate them in the nuances of the requirements for a successful event. If an unreasonable figure for financial compensation is offered, again the client must be willing to learn why cost is presented at a figure that is labeled as "value" for said services. DJOC has highly skilled and talented professional entertainers that have a reputation that is built upon hundreds if not thousands of successful events. This reputation needs to be acknowledged as well as trusted and the compensation should be reflected as such. The value for a DJ with their talent, professionalism and experience is going to usually be a premium as most DJ's who are in high demand are sticklers for details and know that they are only as good as their next, not last, performance.

That is why you sought such talent and that is why you want to hire such talent because they are putting their DNA on your event.

The DJ’s DNA and fingerprint on the event is what is going to make the event special and unique. The same way said DJ’s fingerprint are on the vinyl or CDJ's, along with the mixer faders, are making the music special.

If you’re not willing to pay for the talent, there are usually alternatives within DJOC and other top notch entertainment and management agencies. You will still receive incredible music consultation to insure success. Or you can go another route and you can be sure to expect that the performance will be less than stellar if you do not select an agency or performer who has a history of excellence and a commitment to providing you with their absolute very best.

Another misfortune is that many clients are simply unaware of the considerations in which said talent/performer/entertainment are already well versed.

Common examples:

· Equipment Issues

· Venue Issues

· Personnel Issues

A client may be unaware of, overlook, or simply forget, that the entertainment is often supplying the sound equipment (or other equipment for that matter such as lighting or multimedia presentation gear) for an ENTIRE event, i.e., the ceremony, reception, and possible wireless set up for the balcony after party, not just during their specific performance time. If the entertainment is supplying this equipment, they can expect to be paid for in doing so. If not, the entertainment would pack up upon completion of their performance and leave.

Also, some venues, like the Andrew Mellon Auditorium in Washington DC, are GSA Buildings that have specific loading and unloading requirements. These considerations require additional planning and manpower so that procedures are properly followed, hence…additional fees.

Finally, there are the personnel issues. A premium talent will need the proper support staff such as an operation liaison and equipment handlers present during the entire event. This is what is required for the event to operate properly.

The bottom line is that there are many items of considerations that are unique to a particular events. This is why the client wants to hire these performers. Never compromise on quality as this is the foundation for insuring a spectacular event. These things come at a level of compensation a client, who wants the best and demands the best, should be more than ready to contract.

Remember, you want a great event, therefore, hire a great entertainer.

DJ Profiles & Talent: DJ Ramzy

Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of DJ DC Profiles. This week we have one of the hottest and most talented DJ’s in the Washington DC area. DJ Ramzy. Incredibly talented, versatile and most importantly, he keeps the dance floor packed. He is a pure entertainer.

DJDC:

Over the past few years you have really developed a following in the Washington DC area. As you have created the “Ramzy Brand”, what was your focus, i.e., how did you want people to envision you?

DJR:

I wanted people to envision me as a generally nice guy, down to earth person who likes to have fun behind the decks. I have been told that people like my personality and it shows when I work. I love to take requests, get feedback from the crowd and answer questions that people have. I feel that early on, DJs get a bad rep from the general public because they are seen as “douchebags” or “assholes.” I like to be the nice guy; I like to show people that not all DJs are what you perceive them to be.

DJDC:

When working with promoters, what is your approach to ensure that you get what you want out of your performance and they get what they want?

DJR:

Well, performance-wise, what you get out of your performance is up to you. I don’t think it has much to do with the promoters. All in all, I think every DJ wants the promoters to pack the house with a great crowd but even if your show has 30 people, you can still have fun and have a great show. There is no way to ensure a show goes perfectly for promoters and DJs, if you’ve been in this industry long enough, you know that not every night can hit capacity but you try your best to make it happen. I guess every DJ wants the promoter to let them do what they want and work the crowd how they know how to and the promoter normally just wants you to promote a little for them to try to get your following to come out to see you.

DJDC:

What is your inspiration when you are playing at a place like Josephine’s on a Friday night? Meaning you know they are going to want it funky and hip as opposed to doing a networking or happy hour at the Roof Top in Rockville?

DJR:

Well that’s what I love about being a diverse DJ. I can make a happy hour fun and funky just like I can bump any venue in DC. Happy hours are great, you can build the atmosphere, start out with some classics, go into 80s, 90s, Motown, and as the drinks kick in, you can almost play it like a club in DC. I LOVE being able to drop songs like “Sweet Child Of Mine” into “I Wear My Sunglasses At Night” and not having everyone look at you like you’re crazy. I often forget that people don’t know classics as much as you want them to so playing for an older crowd that can appreciate the classics is really fun. Also, normally, people don’t expect a DJ to be mixing it up so much at a happy hour or networking event so the element of surprise is really fun for me. I often have people just come stare at what I do because they don’t believe the music they are hearing is coming from me.

DJDC:

You are a very versatile DJ, you are able to mix it up at all sorts of events. Bars, Lounges, Private, Weddings, etc. Do you have perspective clients that see you in one setting and immediately feel that is what you will bring to another? How do you deal?

DJR:

I’ll be honest, I have had some clients that when I do their weddings, they are a bit hesitant because they think I only do clubs but they forget I’ve been doing mobile events (weddings, mitzvahs, private parties, corporate parties) for 8 years now. I normally deal with it by giving them references, my former clients are more than happy to refer me to anyone. I’ve helped plan weddings, I’ve also walked into weddings with absolutely no info on the event and I am forced to wing it, ultimately doing a great job. Each part of the spectrum works for me, I’m comfortable in any environment.

DJDC:

What are your thoughts on the club scene in DC as opposed to Baltimore? What is the vibe and which one seems to have more choices?

DJR:

Well, I’ve honestly never been clubbing in Baltimore. I’m a DC guy (go skins, caps & nats!) so I can’t really say. I can’t imagine Baltimore has more choices than DC though. DC is PACKED with lounges/bars/clubs that each have their own feel. I love this city.

DJDC:

What is your approach to doing a wedding?

DJR:

Normally, I’ll sit down with the bride and groom and sometimes the wedding planner about a month or so before the wedding and plan out what’s going to happen at what time and what song needs to be playing and when. I’ll make sure I have the pronunciation of all the bridal party’s names correct and sometimes spell them out phonetically. I’ll often suggest something fun or different to do during the walk-in to the reception, the brides and grooms love this by the way. When the big day hits, I just do what I’ve been doing for years, play great music, get the crowd laughing during certain events and get the crowd dancing when the dance floor is open. In all my years, I’ve never had a single complaint at a wedding… I take pride in that.

DJDC:

There are many DJ’s who are specialists. Some are turntablists, some are drum and bass freaks, some are techno heads. Do you feel that just specializing in one genre or approach limits you as a DJ or do feel that helps you focus more on bringing light to that specific area of the industry?

DJR:

Well, yes and no. It limits you but it makes you really good at that specific genre. For example, when I play house, you can tell I’m not a house DJ. I do everything house DJs don’t, I mix too fast, I scratch. When a house DJ plays house, they really know what they’re doing because that’s all they know but I do feel that it limits them. You’re not gonna ask a house DJ to spin at your wedding or at your hip-hop club, are you? Of course not. What I like about being so open format and versatile is that I can play a bunch of different venues. For example, Barcode, I do international Thursday nights. I play a bunch of international music from around the globe. Friday night, I DJed the main floor of Ozio which is almost straight hip-hop and finally, Saturday night, I DJed Ultrabar, Chroma. It’s mash-up, top 40, house, hip-hop and international music all night. It’s fun to go through all the genres in a week, keeps you on your toes.

DJDC:

What are your favorite spots in DC to perform and why?

· Barcode (17^th & L) – Great environment, crowd, atmosphere. It’s a great bar, great restaurant and great lounge, it’s everything you want in a venue. www.barcodedc.com

· Ultrabar (911 F St.) – Straight club atmosphere, rated #1 in DC for dance floor action. Nothing is going on there but drinking and dancing, you know what to expect and the crowd is always fun. www.ultrabardc.com

· Lima (14^th & K) – INSANE sound system with a killer dancefloor and great light system. I’ve only DJed at Lima a couple times but I loved it. www.limaloungedc.com

DJDC:

Have you had an opportunity to do any festivals, large outdoor events and if so, where and what was the energy like?

DJR:

Only one event, it was the Rock the House Festival at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg, MD. I DJed for Pitbull, Ludacris, EPMD, Methodman, Redman, the WuTang Clan, Baby Bash and more. It was really cool to be behind the scene and hop up on stage to DJ when needed. My favorite part of the event was when I did a live remix on stage and the emcee (Wood from the WuTang Clan) and the crowd were like “WHOA!” The reaction was awesome. When I did go into the crowd, people were noticing me and saying how I did a good job, it was fun. I did learn what to play and what not to play before a big artist comes on stage, so it was a learning experience as well.

DJDC:

Who are some of the DJ’s and artists that have influenced you, your style and your desires to entertain?

DJR:

Well, I’ll be honest and chronological here. When I started, my uncle who trained me to DJ was a big influence, he taught me the basics of DJing, music selection, how to mix, when to mix, how to keep a beat. Once I got that down, I listened a lot to Power 96 (Miami radio station) because their DJs really mixed their asses off every day haha. As I grew older and was out on the road late at night, I would listen to Chris Styles on Hot 99.5 on my way home from mobile events and listened to him, getting a feel for DC nightlife. As I grew and really appreciated DJing for what it was, DJ Enferno was (and still is) my idol. He took DJing to an entirely new level and opened my eyes (and ears) to a new world. Locally, DJ Saam (nohomo) is my favorite; he gives his shows 110% every time and really has dedication and appreciation for his craft. I look up to him not only as a DJ but as a person and I honestly study the crap out of him at every show. Just when you think you’ve seen him at his best, he blows you away at the next show.

DJDC:

What is your definition of a true DJ and why?

DJR:

This is a tough and simple question to answer at the same time. Personally (and I hope no one takes offense) I think a true DJ is one that can look at a crowd and know what to play and how to mix the tracks to keep the people going crazy all night. Anybody can put on an iTunes playlist or take requests or put together a set at home and just press play, but a DJ will mix tracks live, read the crowd and interact with the crowd and share their excitement with the crowd through their music and style.

I want to thank you Ramzy for keeping the mindset tight as well as keeping a professional approach to the industry. Continue to prosper and hopefully we will get another chance to sit down with you soon before the holiday season kicks in as we truly want to know where you will be playing for New Year’s Eve!

DJ Profiles & Talent: DJ D-Lux

Welcome everyone to our first edition of “DJ Washington DC Talents & Profiles”. For our inaugural issue we have selected Don “D-Lux” Ashford. DJ D-Lux is originally from Philadelphia and you can instantly tell from his approach to turntablism and his understanding of various genres and sub-genres of music. He is able to entertain you for either several minutes with a display of turntable technics that are on the level of DJ Q-Bert as well as being able to keep a wedding, club, lounge or private event’s dance floor filled for hours. I was lucky enough that he was able to take the time and sit down with us and provide us with some insight on who he is, why he loves what he does and what you should expect out of him for any of his performances.

DJ Washington DC (DJDC):

People come to DJ Washington DC for education on our industry and to obtain a professional perspective from talented and experienced DJ’s. That being said, how long have you been a DJ and what aspect of your talent defines who you are as an entertainer?

D-Lux (DL):

I’ve been DJ'ing since 1988. I believe in giving a show, which I believe most DJ's in this profession today do not believe in that. I never sit down, stop my mix, or pause (unless the client wants me to). My music flows in transition. I take this seriously. Most of my clients/audience can feel my energy when they hear me. I know my music. I know all genres of music. I remember once upon a time you had to earn the title “DJ”. Now cats today download music and call themselves a “DJ”. I hear some of these DJ’s today play and it just irks me to hear them spin today. No respect for the ones who influenced the art form from the past and present.

DJDC:

You are an incredible turntabelist. When I hear you perform it seems as if those Philadelphia influences of Cash Money, Miz and of course my man Jazzy Jeff, seem to show in your approach, when entertaining at a club or lounge how do you incorporate that into a set:

DL:

Being from Philly, I came up listening to these guys. They are major influences in my style. When Jazzy Jeff did “Live At Union Square”, I studied that set over and over until I was able to get my transformer cuts to sound like his. When I heard Cash scratch on “Ugly People Please Be Quite”, I was at aw with his smooth cuts. And when DJ Miz cut up “Peter Piper [by Run DMC] on “We Don’t Play” Every DJ in Philly wanted to learn that scratch! To name a few others, DJ Jay-Ski, Cosmic Kev and Lightning Rich. These DJ’s are still doing their thing. I like to hear my crowd go “Awhhhh” on the dance floor. I love it when I’m scratching or doing something and it makes someone bob their head really hard. I love to flip the old with the new. Old School Parties; I love spinning old Hip-Hop, R&B, Breaks, House and Jazz. These guys are one of the best that ever done that.

DJDC:

When you are contacted by a perspective client and they ask you, “What is your DJ style”. Is that a question that irks you because of your versatility? I ask that question because here at DJ Washington DC we tend to rephrase that question because, based on our experience, presentation of the question in that manner stereotypes DJ’s as either a club, wedding, mitzvah, lounge, house, etc., type of DJ. Would you agree and how do you handle such questions:

DL:

Oh I definitely agree. I believe that the business made it that way. And on the flip side, I think the consumer is trying to figure out what they are getting before they hire the DJ. Craziest gig I have done out of my element was a country western party in the late 90’s. People looked at me while I was setting up and they were questioning whether or not I knew anything about Country Music. Truth is…I didn’t! I got a friend who was heavy into country music to give me a list of songs. I played off that list, took requests, flowed into disco and killed the night. Truth is, if you’re a good DJ, you should be able to overcome any element or environment. The correct way to approach a DJ is to tell them what kind of party you are having and what you want played. Then the DJ could tell you if they’re comfortable playing for your party.

DJDC:

Instead of trying to understand your style, can you help us to understand your approach for performing a wedding for a couple in their early 30’s who (how can I say this and be politically correct) has bank and compare that approach to doing a club or lounge spot in DC that has a tendency to lean towards Top 40 & Hip Hop:

DL:

Well with any wedding I do, I ask detailed questions on what the client wants. Sometimes the client doesn’t know what should go on or needs assistance. I’m experienced with doing weddings. Different things happen at each wedding. It’s a special day for the client, so you should be very specific as possible in what the customer wants. I go into details as to figuring out what songs, dances and other events do they want during their wedding. Club environment, it’s easy because you just play what’s hot. You read your crowd and figure it out. At a wedding, you gotta keep it traditional, but yet provide what the client wants. Then read your crowd once everyone gets loose and then play towards your crowd. A good DJ should know when to switch things up.

DJDC:

I want to go back to the question on preparing for a gig, but I want to add a slight twist. What if you have a couple with different backgrounds who are infatuated with artists such as Bon-Jovi, Beatles, Michael Jackson, Flo-Rida, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Maroon Five & Notorious B.I.G. and during the week you are playing a residence gig where they want nothing but Cameo, Parliament, and 80’s Hip Hop:

DL:

I can do it all! I know my music! When the client gives me a song request list, that give’s me the feel for what kind of music that should be played at the party. There are a lot of DJ’s that can’t be versatile. Why should they call themselves a DJ? Not saying you should know everything, but you should learn how to adapt to your environment musically.

DJDC:

When growing up, what about being a DJ embraced you and when you got your first set of turntables, what was that feeling? I remember when I got my first set of 1200’s, not my first turntables, but my first 1200’s, man that feeling was like, “yes, I am now officially in the DJ game”. Talk about that day and describe in every detail the euphoria of the moment.

DL:

Awh man……..I learned from straight arm turntables…Putting nickels on the head and stuffing tissue under the tone arm. Man 1200’s use to be $800 a pair! I had a friend who I grew up with in North Philly who was a DJ in the early 80’s. I used to walk blocks to use his and practice in his basement. His famous scratch was a basic military scratch. When I got on his tables and did some transformers, he was like “OK little D, I see you” while he was holding a 40 ounce in his hand. When I got my own, dang…..I was soooooo happy because I have wanted them for years! I REFUSE to go away from my 1200’s. They’re just my standard. No offense to the ones who use different. Hey as long as you do your thing, I got no problems with that.

DJDC:

How would you describe the club scene in DC as compared with those of other major markets such as New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Miami? I always tend to tell people that within those particular markets it is about the DJ and that those are DJ markets. DC is a Club market where they push the club more than the entertainment. What are your thoughts:

DL:

It is very different. For one, the people that come to the party are different. In Philly, they walk in and start dancing. In DC, I find that people have to see who’s there first before they get on the floor (just kidding). It’s all about the music. Up north, they don’t particularly care for Go Go Music like DC does. But if you go south of Virginia, they love it. I can go to DC and know what to play. I can go to Philly, New York, New Jersey and know what to play. Like you said, it’s all about the DJ.

DJDC:

Now, I really want you to think on this one because this is important in not only how you perform, but how you also prepare for your clients. What do you want clients to remember most about you and your performance:

DL:

That I am a real, true good DJ. I am a show. I’m a professional that brings it! And they would hire me again. I take criticism seriously. If my friend tells me he didn’t particularly like what I played that night, I would get offended! I think a lot of these today DJ’s are lazy and just want to make a dollar. Hey I don’t knock that. But if you just want to set up your iPods, or you just want to play songs one by one, then call yourself an entertainer….not a DJ. Earn the title! The game needs to get back to that.

DJDC:

I always have to emphasize versatility in being a DJ, because you are an artist. However, all artists have aspirations. That being said, if you had the opportunity to play at any arena, club, lounge or venue in the world, where would it be and most importantly, why:

DL:

I would love to perform more overseas. Overseas they have a strong love for Real DJ’s. The atmosphere is crazy different. I’ve done it one time and I would love to go back. Here in the states, anywhere in Vegas because it’s always a party there J

DJDC:

Here is a final question that I am sure will provoke some additional thought. If you had the chance to correct an event in the past, weather it was good or bad, which event would it be and why would you change it and for what reason:

DL:

I was in high school and this girl wanted to hire me at a rec center around the corner from Gratz High School in Philly. I didn’t go record shopping. I didn’t have the latest anything. And my speaker blew out. She called somebody else to DJ the party. I was so mad; I packed my stuff up not knowing that I had left my 1200’s in there. My dad was rushing me to hurry up. Man I was sooo mad. Wish I could have that night back til this day! I should have waited until I got my things right with my music and equipment.

DJDC:

No my man, she is wishing she had that day back because she could have D-Lux at a reduced rate!:) I want to thank you and I also want people to know how to get in contact with you via DJ Washington DC. Keep rocking my man and making it happen!