How the Internet and MP3 Downloading Has Affected the DJ And How the DJ Can Still Survive

The pre-internet DJ use to be the "go to" personplay lists as they want. In some cases, events
for people looking for "that" song or songs bythat would previously had a live DJ, have opted to
that elusive mystery artist or well known artistinstead use an iPod hooked to a sound system.
with a hard to find new or old recording. The DJThe current state of the music business offers
was the authority when it came to sharing newDJ's the challenge of further proving their value to
music with the masses whether at a party, at athe crowds and even internet users. Probably one
club, or even on the radio. When a person neededof the best ways deejays can show their worth
a new "mix" tape or CD to listen to while jogging& skills is to create Remixes of songs that will
or driving etc, having a DJ as a friend oroffer the people a different outlook on the DJ's
acquaintance was a foot in the door to gettingskills leaning more toward being an artist their self
good music or just finding out what artist wasthan being just a music provider. DJ's can also
doing what. The DJ was always the one whobecome music producers, using their love of great
seemed to buy or come by the most music titlessongs to help artists create new great songs.
even if they were not all to their own liking, itMash-up mixes have also become popular which
was kind of the DJ's responsibility of sorts toare an extra spin on DJ blends/ song mixes of
have the music needed to entertain crowds of allthe past. The DJ should no longer rely on being
kinds. If you go back to the early NYC hip hopneeded as a mobile Jukebox and/or sound
block parties the DJ would serve up bits & piecessystem provider and try to offer deeper musical
of songs from all genres and as long as the beatservices which will be unique to them. They should
was funky the crowds would dance, there wasfocus on personality & having qualities that cannot
no need for the songs to be in mainstream radiobe replaced with technology alone. This will keep
rotation in order to entertain the crowd. Thethe Deejay relevant into the future as more &
people use to trust the DJ to serve them up withmore changes occur with the music business as a
cool fresh sounds & take them on a journeywhole.
where they may discover music that they mayThe internet does offer many advantages to the
never had heard before or had access to.deejays as well making it easier for them to
The internet along with free mp3 downloading &collect the large music libraries just as easily as
music piracy has made virtually any song availablethe non deejays. The popularity of internet radio
to anyone with an internet connection and a hardalso gives mix show & club style deejays to
drive to store it on. The average person is able toexpand their reach out of their local area sharing
build up a massive mp3 music library just as big,their own mixes worldwide. This Is extra helpful
or bigger than the deejays themselves. The webto deejays in specialty/underground genres as
has replaced the DJ as the go to place to find thethey may grab a far away booking after being
music & instead of the people needing the DJ toheard on an internet radio mix show or on a social
supply the mix tapes or CD's they are insteadnetworking website with musician options.
able to just download & burn as many different