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View Full Version : EDM dj switching to hiphop. Need help!



nevin
06-07-2012, 05:21 PM
Hi all,

I have been a member of this forum for a few years now but have mainly stuck to participating in EDM discussions. I am typically an EDM DJ but recently i have been getting bored of blending song to song and would like to push my DJ technique further, so i have decided to take up Hiphop DJing as a means of improving. Also it seems like everyone is an EDM dj lately so being able to rock a hiphop set might actually make me unique in my town.

There are a few things i would like to know:

FAMOUS / PRO HIPHOP DJS
Who are some really good 'role model' DJs in the hiphop scene that i can look up on youtube and get a feel for how they do there thing. I currently know of DJ AM (cos of publicity from his death) and DJ Craze (traktor promos), so I'd say my knowledge is fairly limited...

HIPHOP DJ TECHNIQUES
On DJF 1.0 there was a great sticky thread in this hiphop section that listed every technique and trick that a decent hiphop DJ should know. It isnt here anymore. Where would i find a good resource on hiphop Dj techniques now?

RECORD POOLS
Best spot to get good hiphop made for hiphop DJs. In the EDM world everything is big on having recordpools with at least 8 bar intros to every song. Is there a good place for me to get hold of decent hiphop edits? Currently i use mp3poolonline.com & I know Ultimix does some DJ intros too, but is there a kind of "hotspot" for good hiphop for Djs??

Oh and i'm not sure if this matters but i run CDJ400s, a DJM 800 and Traktor in HID mode. I also run a kontrol s4 sometimes. I have no inclination to start using vinyl, but i wil probably be upgrading to CDJ 900s soon...


Thank you all in advance!
Every little bit of advice wil be greatly appreciated

- Nevin

Hamza21
06-07-2012, 09:17 PM
FAMOUS / PRO HIPHOP DJS
Who are some really good 'role model' DJs in the hiphop scene that i can look up on youtube and get a feel for how they do there thing. I currently know of DJ AM (cos of publicity from his death) and DJ Craze (traktor promos), so I'd say my knowledge is fairly limited...

For basics DJ Mane One (http://www.mixcrate.com/djmaneone) has collection of mixes that trackwise is pretty great and mixwise is pretty solid. Nothing extraordinary but you get good feel for what a solid mix sounds like. DJ Erok (http://www.domeshotsandfatlaces.com/2012/05/dj-erok-hidden-gems.html) has good mix out where he rocks pretty good mixwise,beatjuggles some cuts. DJ BB famous (http://soundcloud.com/djbbfamous/back-to-the-days-of-hip-hop) is someone you should study the man is a beast on the tables. It's a shame he took nearly all of his mixes off the net but he left a few on mixcloud Here (http://www.mixcloud.com/djbbfamous/). Be sure to check for older Beat Junkies videos on youtube. They quite of few where Rhettmatic,Melo D (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND7yo_wDrK0&feature=related),DJ Babu and J Rocc (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyRgh8Qj6O0) are rocking pretty good.




HIPHOP DJ TECHNIQUES
On DJF 1.0 there was a great sticky thread in this hiphop section that listed every technique and trick that a decent hiphop DJ should know. It isnt here anymore. Where would i find a good resource on hiphop Dj techniques now?

A few people asked me to reupload my Hip Hop mixing tutorial but I'm not sure I want to but if you want tutorial I could reupload and send you a link if you message me.




RECORD POOLS
Best spot to get good hiphop made for hiphop DJs. In the EDM world everything is big on having recordpools with at least 8 bar intros to every song. Is there a good place for me to get hold of decent hiphop edits? Currently i use mp3poolonline.com & I know Ultimix does some DJ intros too, but is there a kind of "hotspot" for good hiphop for Djs??

I'm not aware of any good pools for Hip Hop most pools only contain top 40 autotuned rap. Heavyweights (http://www.heavyweights.org/) used to be solid when it came to underground Hip Hip Im not sure abut now since most deejays don't spin Hip Hop anymore. I get most of my music from blogs,soundcloud,bandcamp and promos from different marketing companies. You have dig to find real Hip Hop nowadays but it's out there in fact Sadat X from Brand Nubian just released a new song "I Know This Game (http://loyaltydigitalcorp.bandcamp.com/album/sadat-x-i-know-this-game)" that is classic boom bap.

nevin
06-08-2012, 01:32 AM
Thanks for the advice, i'll have a listen to a few of the mixes from the DJs you mentioned.

It seems like there is an underlying theme of Hiphop being underground, which is weird to me because i've always seen the hiphop scene as extremely popular. This view may be skewed because im from aus, and underground american hiphop doesnt really make it here..

Sigma
06-08-2012, 01:55 AM
I would say......

1. Learn to scratch: -

http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?5240-Sigma-s-beginner-guide-to-scratching-(repost)

2. Learn some trick mixing techniques: -

http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?5896-Trick-mixing-in-hip-hop-(post-some-videos)

Take elements of what you learn and use them sparingly in your mixes. Job done!

YungVendrixDNB
06-08-2012, 06:44 PM
Reply to the OP.

I hear ya there. I'm still kinda n00bish at mixing hip hop myself. I'm an EDM DJ myself, who mainly spins DNB these days, but got my start spinning house and UK Garage. I've only more recently(within the last few months)started to also mix hip hop and hip hop breaks, and I've learned that it's really easy to scratch off beat sometimes, especially if you find something you like but just keep doing it to try to perfect it, rather than attempting a more seamless transition. I still struggle with phrasing because I haven't got as familiar with my hip hop records as I am with my DNB or UKG records.

As for good role model DJs to look up to and watch to get better: Mix Master Mike, Roc Raida, Q-Bert, Rectangle, Shadow, Jam Master Jay, Cash Money, there's plenty more as well, I just rattled off the first ones that I watch when I'm trying to learn techniques for use in hip hop mixing. Anyways best of luck to ya in your endeavors.

Ravi Ravs Singh
06-10-2012, 01:20 AM
Hey Bud just some DJs I look up to who have made me want to cut scratch mix spin tunes.

Mixing/Rocking a Party
- DJ P - though i have never seen him live his style and what he does is what basically what made me get into DJing
- Jazzy Jeff - one of the illest party rockers out there
- DJ Mane one - A dude I've been following love his style, his selection, cuts a true BBeat DJ.

Scratching -
- D Styles
- Rob Swift
- Tiger Styles (UK)

Detruence
06-11-2012, 08:26 AM
welcome to first class turntablism.

1) On the more popular side ive always followed; Dj A-Trak, Am, Jazzy Jeff, I-Dee, Q-Bert...that should get you started.

2) Go to youtube and search 'dj angelo tutorials.

3) Record pools; your on your own...dont really get into them.

Detruence
06-11-2012, 08:28 AM
IMO DJ I-Dee is the scratch king (and also very underrated), if your looking for ALOT of various scraching techniques.

rchecka
06-11-2012, 10:58 AM
I just want to say congratulations for making the switch to Hip Hop.
That's a forward move, opposed to doing something like switching from EDM to trance or something. Good God, that'd suck.

B3NNY
06-11-2012, 02:00 PM
I would say......

1. Learn to scratch: -

http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?5240-Sigma-s-beginner-guide-to-scratching-(repost)

2. Learn some trick mixing techniques: -

http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?5896-Trick-mixing-in-hip-hop-(post-some-videos)

Take elements of what you learn and use them sparingly in your mixes. Job done!



Check out Sigma's soundcloud. It's a good example of how a typical Hip-hop DJ usally spins, but done very cleanly

Boomcie
06-11-2012, 04:46 PM
^^^lies Sigma isn't your typical hiphop dj :P

B3NNY
06-11-2012, 05:05 PM
Truee. Mixing Style-----somewhat typical . Everything else-------Not typical at all