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FEAR OF A BLACK DJ
While my DJ career blossomed and expanded into the world of music entertainment I started to notice a disturbing trend amongst many of the black music moguls and more prominent entertainers. At most of their “A-list” events they would always hire a white DJ. They seemed to have a preference for privileged white DJ’s of a certain pedigree. In the hip hop/music-mogul/entertainment world, it appears that White is the “New Black”. It seems that credibility, pure talent, music knowledge, raw skills, and flow, which used to be paramount, have taken a backseat to skin color, bankroll, and lineage. I’m NOT saying that all White DJ’s are BAD and all Black DJ’s are GOOD, but if you enter an arena where you are not traditionally known to be “The” expert you should be exceptional at what you do to gain our highest honors and get the best, most exclusive and highest paying jobs. For example, I got hired over an “A-list” Jewish DJ to do the ‘Matisyahu Mixtape’ but I was chosen specifically because of my abilities. The executives at Sony were familiar with my work and my reputation for having ‘many styles’. They chose me because I was the best person for the job. Again, I’m not saying that all of the of the White dj’s that get these jobs aren’t good, but surely Black entertainers and moguls can’t really believe that there are NO qualified Black dj’s that deserve to be on this ‘A-List’ as well? Sometimes we as a people are so disconnected to the atrocities that we have endured that we don’t protect what belongs to us. Protecting what belongs to us also means supporting your people. Someone once said to me that the reason we ((Black-Americans)) have no unity is because we are the only people without a nation. My husband quickly replied, “We had a nation! It was ‘Under A Groove’ and they’re taking that from us too!”
This New Years Eve I was surprised to learn that even Oprah Winfrey chose to take an ‘A-list’ white DJ to Johannesburg, South Africa to represent the BLACK AMERICAN MUSIC EXPERIENCE as she opened her new school, The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy For Girls. By the way, this is in no way meant to be disrespectful to Oprah but, one might think that a qualified Black DJ would have been a more appropriate choice for such a cause directly related to our heritage.
I watched James Brown’s funeral broadcast on TV. Many people spoke about the ‘Black-American Music Experience’. The Reverend Jesse Jackson explained how when James Brown played at segregated clubs in the 50’s & 60’s, black people were not allowed to cross over to the white side of the club but white people had the option of going over to the Black side if they wanted to. Usually the performer played on both sides, first for the whites, then for the blacks. James Brown however, refused to play on the White side of the club and said that if White people wanted to see him perform they had to cross over to the Black side!
I have to be candid with you. Yes, there are some DJ’s out there, melanin excluded, who have a very narrow perception of soul music and Hip Hop. Knowledge is key. Black people dominate the Hip Hop/Soul/’Neo-Soul’/R&B genres of music. Why not believe in those DJ’s of color who DO take this very seriously, and who NEED the continued exposure? Why not? Perhaps the answer is beyond us all. I’ve been waiting for years for someone to spill the beans and do a story on this phenomenon. Seems like I was waiting for ‘me’ because I haven’t read anything about it anywhere… until now…sort of.
Ironically on Sunday, February 4th, 2007 the NY Times published an article (‘Playing That Mogul-Music’ by Lola-Ogunnaike) http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/fashion/04manager.html
The article, although written from a completely different perspective, actually confirms a lot of the things that I am saying in this blog. It talks about how lucrative and empowering the DJ game can be for the ‘A list’ DJ’s and the DJ Managers. Despite the fact that I am also mentioned in this article and am even in the photo accompanying the article, I still cannot sit silently and not speak out on the inverted discrimination which is common knowledge in the entertainment industry. We all KNOW about it: the professional DJ’s, entertainers, music industry staff, assistant moguls, assistant to the assistant moguls, etc. EVERYBODY KNOWS! Yet somehow it keeps happening.
The choice to hire only White djs for all of the top Black ‘A-list’ events creates a chain reaction. All of the event planners and PR people have a ‘short list’- an “A” list of all the hot top djs who they pick from for events. I guarantee, (9 times out of 10) the most famous Black DJ, best Black DJ, most legendary, most skillful, or even best looking are not on these short lists. Why? Because they are almost never requested for the Black A-list events.
White DJ’s are supported, endorsed, anointed, and empowered by their own people and ours. These DJ’s are in all of the right parties, which gets them more parties which gets them more publicity which adds to their celebrity which gives them other opportunities to empower themselves beyond their DJ careers.
This common practice of Black Music execs and entertainers openly not hiring Black DJ’s is a blatant act of disrespect and a dismissal of our unique and life long relationship with music. It also reinforces a policy that seems to be common amongst many Black elite: ‘Us Four …But No More’.
“BLACK PEOPLE UNITE LETS ALL GET DOWN”- MOS DEF
Beverly Bond
Heavy Hitters!-NYC
R.I.P.
THE GODFATHER OF SOUL
JAMES BROWN
Comments (23)
Mr. Showtime said this on February 17, 2007 20:19:
I congratulate your courage! I think it takes a great deal of strength to voice what many are thinking but afraid to say. Hip-hop and it's influence are one of the many lucrative advancements people of color have brought to American society from which we are (as usual) the least and last to benefit from. It's like throwing someone a party and them having security throw you out. I appreciate you saying something. As long as ouy preach the truth I fux witcha!Show
Anonymous said this on February 20, 2007 16:50:
As a young african american female wanting to get into the radio/ dj busniess, this acrticle inspired me to go above and beyond all te expectations to be a dj because "they" (white people) have decided to take over the world of hiphop and to me that is possibly the only world we have left. I now not only desire to dig deeper in the dark mists of hiphop but to also teach others about our culture. lol damn i suddenly devloped a passion after only wanting to mix beats and develop rucus in a club!
Summer said this on February 23, 2007 19:44:
WHAT A GREAT READ!!!!!!!
Depending upon who you ask, the current stereotyping of African-Americans' behavoiral patterns by media as well as society is debatable. I will simply say, what is unique and very well articulated throughout your article, is a multi-generational attitude differential. As aware as we are of the racial issues surrounding self preservation and protecting our heritage, so must we become aware of the preservation of the values that were born of our initial attempts to do so. Oprah's message that young Americans want for money, power, and respect, as priorities above health, shelter, and education, may or may not be 100% true(i would argue some facets of the idea). However, what we do know, is that this perception alone is damaging our image in the face of our critics, if not encouraging the continuity of the very stereotyping and marginalizing which is responsible for knowledgable masters of this craft, such as yourself, not recieving proper recognition. My now 39 year old sister admits to just now maturing to the level of motherhood and self awareness needed when she became a mother at 19. Popular culture as dictated by the 'now' and the 'it', could possibly be a direct result of that space in time where your current audience was waiting for their parents to grow up. Taking that into account, Oprah's generation, the A-list party organizers of our own, etc. may not be snubbing our race alone, so much as how we are overall currently percieved. It is possible that the masses of us dedicated career folk, are being ignored or passed over do to the star of the pop culture show being the current state of our industry. Are YOU truly represented by your industry? It sounds to me like you are a rarety, so you will have to beat the streets exra hard to represent yourself, so that when someone considers you, they will not be distracted by the popular culture stigmatisms attributed to the current state of what we do.... (not going to whip out my pocket webster, so no spell check lol, but I am a 28 year old African-American, female, air personality from Philadelphia, PA)
Nappy Snake said this on February 24, 2007 18:36:
Hello DJ Beverly Bond...you bring a very challenging topic as your first blog and I commend you for it!! Although I do agree with many of you're opinions on the fear of a black DJ, but in my opinion the true question is what is a hip hop DJ truly supposed to be? Because I've been hanging out at parties from coast to coast since the mid 80's. From Red Alert to Grand Master Flash at Union Square and the Fun House to Mark Bronson to Who Kid and to yourself via Joe's Pub to the Tunnel. It is my belief that 75% of the DJ's don't know the music that they are playing. They are not true students of Hip Hop!!! Very few of them seem to know how to vibe a crowd, move a crowd or to challenge a crowd, because they are too busy trying to be "part" of the crowd! What I mean by that is following the radio station program directors, becoming downright whores for record executives for the little perks they receive on the side. Most of the time when I'm in the club in any state I'm usually disgusted by the quality of the choices that most DJ's choose to spin...it's just long gated radio play, program mixes with no originality. I hope you're blog leads to the exposure to these fake ass record pool subscribers that call themselves DJ's because if Hip Hop is dead...its the DJ's fault. DJ's are supposed to be the root foundation of Hip Hop. White, Black. Chinese etc. I call upon them to step they're game up.
One Love, Holler Black
p.s CatDog
Leroy champaign said this on February 24, 2007 18:58:
I love that beverly has open up an issue that I've seen in this industry amongst black & white executives, We are so afraid to express our selves in this white mans game, in office cubicles losing our positions would mean the end of our existence. We see the racism, “we will change it from with in” is the bull shit Quote of the 20th century
It’s the salary; we see the benefits that exist, we don’t want give it up. We allow our selves to be put in a box ( nu era slavery box ). Just like they like us Loud enough to not be heard, to make real change.
I’ve been in the game for 13 yr's still I find my self struggling to be taking serious has a artist as appose to an black urban designer while my white counter parts with less experience have the open opportunity to work on all genre of music. I guess they figure your black your hip-hop your white your anniversary you can appeal to a larger audience
This is the narrow mindedness of today’s marketing director (black or white)
We work in a cookie cutter's industry. Their motto if it works, why change, why challenge ourselves and the cycle continues.
Leroy champaign said this on February 24, 2007 19:01:
I love that beverly has open up an issue that I've seen in this industry amongst black & white executives, We are so afraid to express our selves in this white mans game, in office cubicles losing our positions would mean the end of our existence. We see the racism, “we will change it from with in” is the bull shit Quote of the 20th century
It’s the salary; we see the benefits that exist, we don’t want give it up. We allow our selves to be put in a box ( nu era slavery box ). Just like they like us Loud enough to not be heard, to make real change.
I’ve been in the game for 13 yr's still I find my self struggling to be taking serious has a artist as appose to an black urban designer while my white counter parts with less experience have the open opportunity to work on all genre of music. I guess they figure your black your hip-hop your white your universal you can appeal to a larger audience
This is the narrow mindedness of today’s marketing director (black or white)
We work in a cookie cutter's industry. Their motto if it works, why change, why challenge ourselves and the cycle continues.
Helen L. Simmons said this on February 24, 2007 21:54:
Bev!!!! YOU ARE THE "PEOPLES' CHAMPION"!!! I commend you on your insight into this severely overlooked but growing trend (PROBLEM). Brothers and Sisters!!! Let us not lose sight of what this sista is really saying!!! The empowered black elite of the so called entertainment industry is snubbing its own....without a second thought. AND THAT'S IT!!! They are directly responsible for the referrals and hiring of non-melanin, under-experienced djs while snatching jobs right out of the mouths of those that made the scene HOT in the first place. In this wake these moguls are quickly dissipating the legacies and celebrity status that have been painstakingly built and established by celebrated african american djs such as DJ Beverly Bond. It seems almost callous in nature that these elite can host and sponsor elaborate A-list parties and in the twinkling of an eye hire those folks who haven't the slightest notion or musical history sense of what it took to really get there. This proves to be a loss of financial gain, status, and career acceleration for OUR djs as in the case of noted DJ Drama who had to legitimately hustle mixtapes (among other musical business ventures) to maintain himself as a viable entity in this business and still end up wrongly busted by the Atlanta Police Department.
People!! Take note! This is not rocket science! It's simple. Jobs are being taken from the masters and being given to the apprentices with a lime wedge on the side!!! Beverly Bond doesn't have to nor does she need to hit the streets to let ANYONE know who she is or how good she is. BEEN THERE DONE THAT!!! If you KNOW music you've heard of her. If you LOVE music you respect her!!!Beverly Bond was THE DJ that showed the industry it was hip to be a celebrity, fashion icon, and supa dj all in one! The media devoured photos of her AND the A-list guests in attendance at her events. And all the while she took this whole shit seriously never letting it get to her head. She kept educating herself on every genre of music she could get her hands on because she understood and respected the HISTORY of music! And that knowledge and respect is what allowed her to MOVE the muhfuggin crowd no matter where she played! She ain't start two years ago!! She started getting PISSED two years ago!! I'm sure she's not speaking just for herself. She's the "DJ's Voice" and is speaking for her peers of color who are not being called because 'that new white cat' got the gig. And don't get me wrong!!!It's not just being white that can get you the gig. It's who you are and who you know and how you got there. I'm sure SOMEBODY can suggest ANYBODY. But if there's no basis behind the suggestion except, "Yo! He or she just did 'so and so's' party!" or "So and so used 'em so I'ma use 'em" and not "Yo! This DJ is best for the job because they've earned the right to be here and they rock that crowd with more knowledge than the latest Billboard Top 40 Pop charts," then we've got a MAJOR problem. Wake up people. If rich and powerful AFRICAN AMERICANS don't support they're own or at least include them in the pool where everyone is being picked from then WHO WILL? That's what this is all about. SUPPORT...AND THERE AIN'T NONE!!!! It's time to speak out!!! Stick with the facts. The truth is undisputable! KEEP YELLIN' BEV!!!!!
Summer said this on February 25, 2007 02:39:
wow. i'm new at the blogging thing, so i'm not sure how you respond to someone directly, but Ms. Simmons brought it home!!!Amen. Although, I need to clarify, just in case you were at all touching on my response, I am VERY aware of who Beverly Bond is to the entire movement. I was not suggesting that she 'should' have to literally beat the streets, pardon my hyperbole, my point was that the industry on a whole is NOT the same. It may no longer represent the cornerstone contributors the way it used to. Unfortunately, it seems the perception of a group seems to always preceed the individual. For these organizers who arent inside the music industry, who may not be aware, or the graduated A-list folks, or for that matter, the assistants responsible for making arrangements, any and all people involved who are watching our industry, who care about throwing a successful event and not necessarily paying proper attention to the importance of their choices, throwing events and hiring outside our race, it seems to be a difficult thing to do, to distinguish oneself, where/when the need exists. If anything, Ms. Bond makes that point evident, in that she has something valid to say. It is just an opinion of mine that considering your audience may mean that sometimes what you've done, and the prestige you've earned and deserve may not by itself, affect change. Perhaps just the speaking out about this will make individuals Ms. Bond may be speaking for, attempt to find out if the descrimination is based in negative perceptions. In the meantime though, if any one person who has made their mark in the culture's history can remove themselves from those current negative perceptions, why wouldn't they? At least until the DJs who haven't studied as she has DO step their game up. Blame is futile, results are urgent.
search4summer@yahoo.com
BIG Dave said this on February 25, 2007 18:11:
I will keep this short - Excellent article yet this position is redundant and represents the cyclical stagnation that has always impacted our (African-American) experience in America. Economics drives hip-hop, have we ever really owned hip-hop? Let’s see, Record Labels vs. Record Companies this represents a contradiction pertaining to control just as Capitalism and Culture collide for coexistence. In 2007 can anyone say African-Americans have the authority to control every aspect of hip-hop from the creative genesis to the store shelf? Much wealth has been amassed from hip-hop and many of the powerful elite (African-Americans) are still comfortable ultimately playing the position of middleman. WE STILL NEED TO WAKE-UP – ECONOMICS DRIVES CONTROL & INFLUENCE, WHEN ARE WE GOING TO TRULY CONTROL EVERY ASPECT OF OUR EXPERIENCE VIA AFRICAN-AMERICAN OWNED RECORD COMPANY (CREATION, MARKETING, DISTRIBUTION – THE WHOLE 9) PERHAPS IF WE TRULY DID, THIS ISSUE AND MANY OTHERS WOULD SIMPLY BE ABORTED VIA TRUE AND TOTAL CONTROL.
Dana said this on March 19, 2007 13:23:
This is what happens when one sells out their culture.We have sold out our music and style to Whites and now they have taken over ever art form we ever created.We teach them all we know and then are left with nothing.Eminem is the biggest White rapper and Justin Timberlake has more hits on Black radio than Lyfe Jennings does.We did it to ourselves.
DJ HOT DAY said this on March 20, 2007 15:17:
FIRST OFF MOST OFF THESE BLACK EXECUTIVES ARE SO BUSY TRING TO BE ACCEPTED BY WHITE PEOPLE, THEY WANT TO DO WHATEVER TO MAKE THEM FEEL COMFORTABLE FIRST. THAT'S WHY WHEN THERE SELECTING A DJ FOR AN EVENT, THEY DON'T MAKE THERE DECISION ON QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS. AS BLACK DJ'S WE MUST REMEMBER THAT THEY NEED US AT THESE SO-CALLED A-LIST EVENTS. AS OUR NAME GETS BIGGER ALWAYS REMEMBER WHAT GOT US THERE. WE ALSO HAVE TO REMEMBER NOT TO BE AFRAID TO PASS THE BATON DOWN TO BLACK DJ'S BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT OTHERS DO!!! TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, BLACK DJ'S NEED TO STOP HATING ON EACH OTHER AND THATS THE ONLY WAY WE WILL BE ABLE TO STAY ON TOP..
DJ HOT DAY
EXPERIENCE COUNTS.....20 YRS. IN THE GAME!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous said this on April 23, 2007 23:17:
that doesnt make sense why would anyone consciencely weed anyone out because of race.who consciously says, i'm goingto get this dj because they are white? I will
say this, we live in a world of greed and the choices some people are making may be about who can line the pockets with the least amount of effort.period.
race is still a factor, but money is way bigger.
global fusion said this on April 25, 2007 18:40:
am so glad that you spoke out on this because this is across the board in the entertainment industry in terms of publicists, management, lawyers etc. White is Right to Black people in the entertainment industry & they themselves make the decision to go white instead of black because regardless of skill, ability or experience many black people in music think having a white lawyer, publicist, manager, dj etc. is a better look to get them to the higher level that they see as white. This is a sad commentary on Black America, but as the saying goes untied we stand divided we fall. Keep doing your thing Bev because we have known and enjoyed your dj skills for years & those people who don't see you for VIP events don't know the caliber of skills & enjoyment that they are missing.
byrdparker said this on May 2, 2007 23:12:
I am not a dj , but this theme runs across all the arts .. The whites want the blacks but don't want them and the blacks want the whites, anyway they can get them . But this all stems from mass accepted multicultural philosophy. At the end of the day the black power moguls ( such an octoroonish term) have thier own agenda or folly which does not really in the schema of events reflect upon you .
When I last worked at a plantation , ( now i have my own) Massa was really racist , but i prided myself on staying true to who i was , i brought people on my team who were talented and black , people who would have never had the chance . I didn't care what anyone thought much less massa. You know what I got respect !
Dana said this on March 19, 2007 13:23 you are correct!
Anon @23:17 where do you live that race is not an issue? America has fooled itself by bringing the slaves in and then by justifying the trade by claiming the blacks were a lower race period, it's run through out school books , cartoons , advertisements and so on .
Big Dave , you are right It is a shame , yes economics does drive business , but throughout the years of brainwashing it appears we are stunted we want to just mimic not create. We do not want to get our hands dirty , it's the theories of anon 23;17 " lining the pockets without the least amount of effort " very Sienfeld ... It is the same in fashion , the black "power moguls" in the business are not even educated about the business , they license out everything , it is about the ego and having a big name . But it's pretty pathetic to be so wealthy and have the world at your fingertips and not educate yourself !!! So Ms Bond , perhaps you are being to generous in calling them black power moguls !! Perhaps they should be called black power mice!
My other suggestion would be for you to think creatively , think about the blank niches , to solve this problem for yourself , once done , then you can enlighten others.
DJ Lisa Love said this on May 7, 2007 05:35:
Peace, Respect, and Blessings to you DJ Beverly Bond. You spoke all truth and I am hoping things will change not only for Black DJs, but also for Female DJs as well. Your blog was well said. . . Nothing but respect to you always.
Lisa Love
Come Kleen Productions
HeatHolders
Grilltacular said this on June 15, 2007 03:33:
Grow up. Black people don't own hip-hop, and Eminem got popular in spite of his whiteness, not because of it.
Keep whining about oppression and lack of priviledge, while you make thousands of dollars for PLAYING MUSIC. Seriously, if you think the struggle for civil rights is about you getting to play higher profile parties, you might as well give up now. You are a moron.
Leroy champaign said this on June 15, 2007 14:49:
please Read "Grilltacular" Statement
This is the evidence pure and simple, of what we are
up against. This is how some people in power (weather black or white) think, they feel black folks that are successful should not point out the problems in the music ent. culture at large. Thank you "Grilltacular" for you statement, cause hopefully if my people are smart they can see that this kind of thinking still exist. We can't see every at out job's, but this is how people like "Grilltacular" feel.
"fear of a black successful Dj"
We deserve to be employed and have a voice "Grilltacular"
HELEN (DN'T YOU FORGET THE NAME) L. SIMMONS said this on June 18, 2007 17:48:
At first I was going to respond to 'Grilltacular' as an alias and read his/her ass for what it was worth (obviously that would have been a VERY SHORT READ). But then I thought about it and said fuck that!!! I ain't scared of you and your ignorant Jamestown thinkin ass! So I guess you'da been the muthafucka on the plantation sayin, "What the slaves complainin' about?! They got food and shelter!! We gives em' the day off on Sundays! And we treats our niggers right!" GRILLTACULAR!! YOU ARE IGNORANT and what's worse is that you equate dollar signs with privilege! Money ain't got shit to do with being shut out!! It's not about the dough stupid! Pay me a million and if my values and integrity are being tested in the process I'ma get in your ass about it and throw your fuckin money back in your face! I really had all this other shit to say but I realize that while I'm typing I ain't even gonna waste my time on you although I will say this>>>Keep your ass away from the educated set on this blog. Comin' up in here disrespecting a powerful and devoted sistah like Beverly Bond is uncalled for and won't go down easy. The only moron on this page is you and your uninvolved/backwards/1747 ways of thinking. Seems to me as long as we've got cromagnum neanderthals like you wandering around spewing putrid verbage about sistahs maiking a difference we'll always be "whining about opression and lack of privilege"...idiot!
Come see me!
jamilah said this on June 26, 2007 06:53:
yup. yup. yup.----------------------------------------------------- i will say here that i am along the line of thinking that kwame ture, el hajj malik el shabazz and others developed- i do not call myself an african-american because the u.s. has not accepted me as a full-blooded human being. i consider myself a black woman, if i had to call myself anything (and if i have to be here for a while). this blog (which was quite good, by the way) is along the lines of this thinking- the music industry is part of the capitalist system that thrives off of white supremacy, so of course they are going to attempt to subjugate us through music and 'entertainment'. black people for sure dominate what is known as hip hop, but do they own their own images? do they own any shares in it? the second emcees and deejays sighned contracts, shares were lost. its the same thing that was done when alan lomax decided to record the folk musicians in the fields. music executives are nothing but anthropologists, but on a more sinister level.---------------- so now, any 'dj' with a laptop and a serato can do anything. what was this? hollywood dj-ing? the kill whitie parties? it's all in fun they say. of course none of those people hold the concept of accountability or respect in their experiences. "why are black people so upset?" they ask. hmmm.---------------------------------------- oprah winfrey again... i wrote something about her in the other response i wrote for the don imus blog. i will say it here: i have ABSOLUTELY NO RESPECT for oprah winfrey. she is brainwashing kids systematically. she is as part of the matrix as al sharpton or any black person in media. the only people i really respect on that level is harry belafante. he's the only one who is lauded by various groups across the board, who loudly speaks out on issues of oppression. there are a few other folks, but mr. belafante adresses issues of black liberation. louis farrakhan was right when he opined that this country should continue to burn. too many affluent black people in the u.s. don't know what accountability is either, so they (like oprah winfrey) hire white folk to tell our stories, and refuse to speak out when asked about an issue (biggest example: michael jordan). where are the tommie smiths and john carlos' amongst us?----------------- the issue of accountability lies when people forget that music for us was about survival... we did it because our lifeblood in every other way was being threatened... we had our languages stolen from us, so we used the tools they threw at us to defy their methods of subjugation (what did audre lourde say about the master's tools?). somehow all of this music we used to survive (taking the electricity from the streets, ya'll) became fetishisized by 'the downtown crowd' and suburban males, who were ultimately scared of what they saw as ghetto life, but wanted to vicariously visit it. blues, rock & roll, and hip hop became sold! to the highest bidder (columbia/polygram/warner bros./fill in the blank), and this is where we are now.------------------------------------ and it's hard to take it back now, because even the most militant black artists have shows that are now attended by a majority of europeans.-------------------------- despite all this i am still very optimistic. it is possible we could reach the young people to have respect for each other, and to wake up from the slumber they've practically had handed to them. it is important we communicate with them, even if we feel they are riding us off as nonsensical.---------------------------------------------- on another note- i actually, like my sister do some spinning (on the radio and other places here and there), but i do not call myself a deejay. as portland, oregon is majority white the issue with 'a list' (what does that mean?) deejays and race desparities is not as much of an issue here. but there are so many other things going on here in this town, that equal the issues in this blog.---- just remember- WE are on the a(stute) list too!!
DJ A-L said this on July 20, 2007 21:32:
No matter what they try to do they will never have the feel or the rhythm That the black DJ Have is there Blood we are born with that and no one can take that away from us, keep doing your thing girl munch love to you!!
The Twilite Tone said this on July 30, 2007 20:07:
Peace BEV, as someone who has been rotating records since the early 80's, I've seen DJ's and promoters come and go like a bad date. Through it all, I learned two things, 1. Stay Relevant and 2. Constantly Recreate or Reinvent Yourself. Often times in order to stay relevant you have to recreate yourself because of your surroundings or simply because it's the season aka YOUR SHIT BECAUSE IS BECOMING PLAYED OUT. As far as the so-called "Tastemaker" promoters or celebrities are concerned, the truth is the poor people will do whatever it takes to stay relevant, hip, vogue or paid. We [especially Black People] have to understand and know the difference between an Icon, a Tastemaker, TasteTaster, and a TasteTaker. There are very few Icons and Tastemakers out here, and yet a bunch of TasteTasters and even more TasteTakers out here posing like there Tastemakers, Icons, and even Leaders! Which brought me to this conclusion a long time ago...DO FOR SELF! Create YOUr Own World/YOUr own Lane. Let them have that World they Made! REinvent and Recreate Yourself. EVOLVE! You'll find that's what the True TasteMakers, Icons, and Leaders have always done to set their mark in time and space. -Tt aka The HeirFreshener
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Lockstress aka Nelly said this on February 16, 2007 02:20:
Hallejuha Hollerback Sista! Its so unfortunate that the culture itself has been desecrated and innundated with filth and garbadge but to deny the "teachers" of the art the capablility of working in an industry that they helped create is absurd.It seems as though the true art of DJ'ng seems to be appreciated more so by the "melanin deficient" species as opposed to our own. Keep the music flowing and continue to educate the masses with your talent. Keep the lines of communication and conversation flowing with the truth!!!!
Peace & Blessings Always!