DJs: Better to be Great at One Style, or Just Good at Some?

[Pri yon Joni]

What ever you are great at and known for IS your style.

[Sigma]

Would you rather be at the top of the game, GREAT at one style/genre/aspect of spinning, or nothing more than good at a wider range of genres/styles?

I'd rather be great at one. If you're considered to be at the top of your game, then you're going to have no problem finding gigs and you'll be spinning your favourite genre. Being considered "at the top of the game" would also be very nice!

[Nicadraus]

I'd also rather be great at something than a "master of none".

[DJ Matt]

i personally would prefer if i could make all my money playing only the same music i listen to in my free time LOL
who would not like that??


and i do for the most part but my city is not very big and so i need to diversify too

versatility is one very important factor in being a good DJ, people will respect that too

its not good to be a one-trick-pony IMO

[Unknown DJ]

Open format DJ's do it all the time. Listen to DJ Kaypers radio show. She plays everything. When she is touring she goes to a club early see's what the opening DJ is playing and how the people are reacting and tailors here set to that.

[Mixxed]

Open format DJ's do it all the time. Listen to DJ Kaypers radio show. She plays everything. When she is touring she goes to a club early see's what the opening DJ is playing and how the people are reacting and tailors here set to that.

I love DJ Kayper, by the way... Sick

[lovecitydjs]

you don't really have to pick one or the other.

it's possible to both pursue your own unique sound and still learn about and be equipped to play many other styles. everyone should be doing that.

[Dr_Herringbone]

Back in the seventies, disco and hip hop djs spun a variety of different genres to get a jam going on, the only guideline was that it had to be a badass funky record. Too many djs today are getting bogged down in playing one style which is what makes people like Mr Scruff such a welcome breath of fresh air.

[Sigma]

Back in the seventies, disco and hip hop djs spun a variety of different genres to get a jam going on, the only guideline was that it had to be a badass funky record. Too many djs today are getting bogged down in playing one style which is what makes people like Mr Scruff such a welcome breath of fresh air.

I agree with that totally. I would rather play "good music" regardless of genre at gigs, but if it came down to being "top of the game at genre X" or "just OK at genres X, Y and Z" then I would take the former.

[Manu]

Jack of all trades, etc comes to mind. Though it's not necessarily true, you have radio DJs and mobile DJs. A wider knowledge of music is required in those areas.