djbally123456
Heres my problem im a beginner dj doin moslty wedding reception type parties for east indians. my music style is bhangra. east indians have the tendancy of wanting there song when tehy want it or else the dj is dead and telling them that its coming up in a few mins aint good enough for them they need it now when can i do other then telling them i dont have that particular song how do u guys handle ur requests.
Posted Wed 17 Jan 07 @ 5:04 am
cstoll
If you must - run a list where they write down their request. This then gives them a visual of what order their song is in relation to everyone else's request. And from time to time stack the list with your own requests. Also, remember the bride always gets her requests as well as the groom. Everyone else, add it to the list.
Posted Wed 17 Jan 07 @ 5:14 am
ktilak
djbally123456 wrote :
east indians have the tendancy of wanting there song when tehy want it or else the dj is dead and telling them that its coming up in a few mins aint good enough for them they need it now
hahah... spot on my friend. i have pissed off quite a few bhangra lovers too just because i mixed in a bollywood song.
i just say okay and use the "headphone cue split" on my headphones so i dont have to listen to them. nod, smile, and keep mixing. Keep the list for normal people. they jerks that will kill you when u dont play their request- experience tells me these peoples' requests clear a dance floor. play music with good intent and a positive vibe will naturally flow into your dance floor.
Posted Wed 17 Jan 07 @ 6:18 am
arthurvasey
Even with a laptop, it can still take a bit of time to find the record anyway - so you may get away with telling them it's up next. Anyway, you don't want to interrupt a request with another request.
Specialist music like bhangra is quite difficult to get hold of anyway, in a normal record shop - unless you know of places to get it from. Normal record shops either have the latest chart stuff, jazz, classical or oldies - if you want foreign music (foreign = African, Indian or some other country other than the UK or America), some shops might have a special section, others could order it by mail.
Specialist music like bhangra is quite difficult to get hold of anyway, in a normal record shop - unless you know of places to get it from. Normal record shops either have the latest chart stuff, jazz, classical or oldies - if you want foreign music (foreign = African, Indian or some other country other than the UK or America), some shops might have a special section, others could order it by mail.
Posted Wed 17 Jan 07 @ 3:46 pm
paulettecerra
Bring A Bigger Gun Will Work..
Posted Wed 17 Jan 07 @ 3:48 pm
DJ Marcel_1
I've told customers at the Club I work at...
"sorry cd got stolen I can't play it for you"
"Not in our format"
"don't play that here"
Have played they're request and when the dance floor clears went on the mic and said:
"The person who requested this song - you have 10 seconds to get on the dance floor", then counted down 10-1 and then shut the song off and played something that people dance to.
Variation
"HEY!!!! You don't requst a song and then walk off my dance floor!!!!! YOU REQUESTED THIS CRAP NOW DANCE TO IT OR IT"S GOING OFF!!!!!"
Public humiliation is a great leveler
Just make sure you can handle yourself if a fight breaks out over these type of actions.
Personally I'm 6'4" tall and close to 300lbs so not many people start a physical confrontation. If they do I can hand they're asses to them (most of the time)
Be carefull is you say something over the mic to the wrong person.
they could pull out a gun (or knife is more likely is Canada or UK)
DJ Marcel
Purple Onion NightClub
"sorry cd got stolen I can't play it for you"
"Not in our format"
"don't play that here"
Have played they're request and when the dance floor clears went on the mic and said:
"The person who requested this song - you have 10 seconds to get on the dance floor", then counted down 10-1 and then shut the song off and played something that people dance to.
Variation
"HEY!!!! You don't requst a song and then walk off my dance floor!!!!! YOU REQUESTED THIS CRAP NOW DANCE TO IT OR IT"S GOING OFF!!!!!"
Public humiliation is a great leveler
Just make sure you can handle yourself if a fight breaks out over these type of actions.
Personally I'm 6'4" tall and close to 300lbs so not many people start a physical confrontation. If they do I can hand they're asses to them (most of the time)
Be carefull is you say something over the mic to the wrong person.
they could pull out a gun (or knife is more likely is Canada or UK)
DJ Marcel
Purple Onion NightClub
Posted Wed 17 Jan 07 @ 5:36 pm
sbangs
hello fellow vdj fans :)
when i do requests i try to consider
the costs of each song for the overal audiences enjoyment
it depends on what demographic they are in
for example if at a teenage party some one requests somthing like girls aloud - heat of summer
and the audience are all younger teenage girls for example , yes they are likey to like it give it a try , if not change over , however if it was with a bunch of teenage boys and some one asked , i would say no , sorry i dont think the others would like it , or make a joke
its a good idea to consider what location/type of venu you are playing at if its a chillout bar and some one said oh yes id like this happy hardcore song you would say no , but if they asked for a chillout song you would at least consider the matter , sounds simple , but i know some folks who would make the mistake of saying yes in such a situation =)
its also good idea to take into consideration of any policys the venu may have about requests , a list is a good idea
and try and remember i know it is hard , but who asked for what and if they dissapear , and your not sure about the song in question dont play it.
if it all goes pearshaped , you always go have the trusty
"sorry cd got stolen I can't play it for you" =) as dj marcel mentioned :)
personaly id only ever use public humilation as a last last last resort as it is kinda the job of the dj to ensure all people feel welcomed to the venu , and if the person is offended they may complain which could land you in the fire :)
Regards
Simon
when i do requests i try to consider
the costs of each song for the overal audiences enjoyment
it depends on what demographic they are in
for example if at a teenage party some one requests somthing like girls aloud - heat of summer
and the audience are all younger teenage girls for example , yes they are likey to like it give it a try , if not change over , however if it was with a bunch of teenage boys and some one asked , i would say no , sorry i dont think the others would like it , or make a joke
its a good idea to consider what location/type of venu you are playing at if its a chillout bar and some one said oh yes id like this happy hardcore song you would say no , but if they asked for a chillout song you would at least consider the matter , sounds simple , but i know some folks who would make the mistake of saying yes in such a situation =)
its also good idea to take into consideration of any policys the venu may have about requests , a list is a good idea
and try and remember i know it is hard , but who asked for what and if they dissapear , and your not sure about the song in question dont play it.
if it all goes pearshaped , you always go have the trusty
"sorry cd got stolen I can't play it for you" =) as dj marcel mentioned :)
personaly id only ever use public humilation as a last last last resort as it is kinda the job of the dj to ensure all people feel welcomed to the venu , and if the person is offended they may complain which could land you in the fire :)
Regards
Simon
Posted Wed 17 Jan 07 @ 6:29 pm
A request is a request, not an order!
Posted Wed 17 Jan 07 @ 8:18 pm
sbangs
true although some seem to think they have a god given right to demand a song =)
Posted Wed 17 Jan 07 @ 8:21 pm
bagpuss
Tell them to write down their request on paper, tell them "If I have it I'll try and play it", add it to pile and when not busy mixing, check them out, you'll find requests are a DJs best friend, it's like a poll, not rocket science to read what MOST people are after ;), obscure requests normally aren't good.
Posted Wed 17 Jan 07 @ 8:45 pm
kblend
Do this and you will never fail, If its a woman play the song. If its a guy dont even think about it.
Posted Wed 17 Jan 07 @ 8:59 pm
kblend
Women keep the party going and are the ones that are going to remember you.
Posted Wed 17 Jan 07 @ 9:00 pm
djbally123456
the thing is women dont really request the songs thats what ive seen from experience its mostly hammerd guys and keeping a list wont work cuz they too drunk to write LOL imma set up a camera in my booth next time and upload a video on here on wut i gotta go thru every friggin friday saturday nite and ive done the public humiliation a couple times cuz one guy kept asking for this song and i played it twice and in my belief a dj should not play a song more then twice but this guy was being a total ass so i grabbed the mic and im like im sorry guys but once again i gotta play a speacial request for buddy over here and the guy was like wtf and he just stared dancing and EVERYONE was like WTF MAN WHY U BUGGIN THE DJ he nver came bak to request again ill try the old no cd trick thnx guys
Posted Fri 19 Jan 07 @ 5:32 am
socross
The best 4 words in the DJ arsenal: "I've already played that!"
Works like a charm in the club - I wouldn't try it at a wedding though. If it's at a wedding, I usually say I will try to work it in, or if it's really bad - I will say that I don't have it.
Works like a charm in the club - I wouldn't try it at a wedding though. If it's at a wedding, I usually say I will try to work it in, or if it's really bad - I will say that I don't have it.
Posted Fri 19 Jan 07 @ 5:39 am
arthurvasey
The best 4 words in the DJ arsenal: "I've already played that!"
With me, it usually elicits the response: "Well, play it again, then!" Played it 26 times already!
I don't like to play the same record more than once - unless I have more than one copy and the first one jumps or sticks - find a better quality copy and play it later.
Even worse is the prat - er, sorry - punter who comes in with one of the following:
A legal CD which jumps;
A cassette (a bugger to cue up even if you have a tape recorder - either "dead air" or a lot of mic use - even then, it's probably a poor quality recording, made from an AM broadcast, sounding all muffly and they try to say your tape recorder's bust);
A minidisc - you haven't got an MD player;
A copied CD - some of these can damage your CD player if played too often - some CD players won't even attempt to play them;
An MP3 CD - one of those things which can get a whole day's uninterrupted music on - about 20 complete albums on one disc - and your equipment isn't MP3 compatible.
With me, it usually elicits the response: "Well, play it again, then!" Played it 26 times already!
I don't like to play the same record more than once - unless I have more than one copy and the first one jumps or sticks - find a better quality copy and play it later.
Even worse is the prat - er, sorry - punter who comes in with one of the following:
A legal CD which jumps;
A cassette (a bugger to cue up even if you have a tape recorder - either "dead air" or a lot of mic use - even then, it's probably a poor quality recording, made from an AM broadcast, sounding all muffly and they try to say your tape recorder's bust);
A minidisc - you haven't got an MD player;
A copied CD - some of these can damage your CD player if played too often - some CD players won't even attempt to play them;
An MP3 CD - one of those things which can get a whole day's uninterrupted music on - about 20 complete albums on one disc - and your equipment isn't MP3 compatible.
Posted Fri 19 Jan 07 @ 1:13 pm
DJ Marcel_1
If a customer comes to me with a cd of ANY stripe (legal or burned) or any other type of music, unfortunately this is when one must either play the song or tell the customer to sit and spin.
I usually tell the customer that no I will not play their personal music - club policy. No amount of whining will change that. If it goes any farther than that the absoulte final resort is ejection from the club.
But that's only a last resort.
DJ Marcel
Purple Onion NightClub
I usually tell the customer that no I will not play their personal music - club policy. No amount of whining will change that. If it goes any farther than that the absoulte final resort is ejection from the club.
But that's only a last resort.
DJ Marcel
Purple Onion NightClub
Posted Fri 19 Jan 07 @ 6:39 pm
CanSpoilU
One of the reasons I am glad I do video now. If a customer comes up with a CD... then "Sorry I only have DVD players". LOL They are usually too stupid to realize a CD "could" play in a DVD player. And if they say that I simply say "I can't have dead video air on the screens". LOL
Oh and yeah I get the "Play it again" all the damm time. Makes me want to bang my head off the wall.
Oh and yeah I get the "Play it again" all the damm time. Makes me want to bang my head off the wall.
Posted Fri 19 Jan 07 @ 7:05 pm
stubby3472
Some good answers here... (except the dude who says he's 6'4 and 300lbs)... like what do you do.. leave your table/booth and duke on someone...RIGHT!!! you're in the wrong job man. Anyway.. most of my clientele are polite and I take their requests and tell them I'll work them in to the 'mix'. They are satisfied with that... I do however try and work them in asap... most tunes will mix in with others... I do short theme mixes so that seems to help. If someone happens to be rude/impatient I just tell them I don't have that song. simple and effective. gets them outta my hair... the tune wsa probably a dud anyway. If I get a repeat request (song I've already played) I 'll let them know... then maybe I'll play another version of it.. (remix, etc)... keeps everyone happy.
ps... I'm in my 35th year of DJing.
keep spinnin' !!!!!
ps... I'm in my 35th year of DJing.
keep spinnin' !!!!!
Posted Fri 19 Jan 07 @ 7:32 pm
djnutz
Last night I hand an epiphany about this very issue. I had almost 400 people and a lot of them were thugged out. Then the requests flooded in for crunk and all this low BPM, no energy garbage. I played a couple of the songs and guess what: empty dance floor. Now I know the rough part of the crowd makes the "attractive female with money to spend" part of the crowd very nervous, what with the "Hey baby..." and the ass grabbing. I made a spot decision. I cut the song that was playing, dropped in the THX sound effect, and made this announcement:
"Attention, boys and girls. The DJ Nutz Experience is proud to present: Throwback Thursday. For the next 3 hours you will hear nothing but the best of old school. Think you have the best old school request? Better bring your "A" game 'cause I like big butts, I'm too legit to quit, and you all forgot about Dre. Word to your mother"
Then I dropped into Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby. Here's my playlist:
MR. BIG - TO BE WITH YOU.mp3
MICHAEL JACKSON - P.Y.T.mp3
R. KELLY - HAPPY PEOPLE FUNKYMIX.mp3
LIL TROY - WANNA BE A BALLA.mp3
2 PAC - HOW DO YOU WANT IT.mp3
SUBLIME - WHAT I GOT.mp3
BLACKSTREET - NO DIGGITY.mp3
KEITH SWEAT - NOBODY.mp3
DR. DRE - FORGOT ABOUT DRE.mp3
SALT N PEPA - push it.vob
MC HAMMER - 2 LEGIT TO QUIT.mp3
RUN DMC - ITS TRICKY.mp3
MARKY MARK - GOOD VIBRATIONS.mp3
SNAP - THE POWER.mp3
LL COOL J - MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT.mp3
K7 - COME BABY COME.mp3
NAUGHTY BY NATURE - HIP HOP HOORAY.mp3
ONYX - SLAM.mp3
DR. DRE - THE NEXT EPISODE.mp3
PAPERBOY - DITTY.mp3
N2DEEP - BACK TO THE HOTEL.mp3
OL' DIRTY BASTARD - GOT YOUR MONEY.mp3
DIGITAL UNDERGROUND - THE HUMPTY DANCE.mp3
DJ ISAAC - FACE DOWN ASS UP.mp3
12 GAUGE - DONKEY BUTT.mp3
FREAK NASTY - DA DIP.mp3
DUICE - DAZZEY DUKES.mp3
TAG TEAM - whoomp! there it is.vob
TECHNOTRONIC - PUMP UP THE JAM.vob
VANILLA ICE - ice ice baby.vob
The end result: the thugs bolted and everyone else had a blast. I had people coming up every couple minutes and a lot of the songs they wanted to hear I haven't thought of in years.
There was one girl who wanted to hear Kelis - Bossy. I told her is was Throwback Thursday and I was only playing old school. She begged saying it was her birthday. I apologized and asked if there was an oldschool song she wanted to hear. She said she made the request and I have to play it. I told her I couldn't and she asked where the owner was. I told her the owner is never there during open hours (the truth). She says she wants to hear the song now. I told her that the only way she will hear it is to go to another bar with a jukebox or go buy the CD.
"Attention, boys and girls. The DJ Nutz Experience is proud to present: Throwback Thursday. For the next 3 hours you will hear nothing but the best of old school. Think you have the best old school request? Better bring your "A" game 'cause I like big butts, I'm too legit to quit, and you all forgot about Dre. Word to your mother"
Then I dropped into Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby. Here's my playlist:
MR. BIG - TO BE WITH YOU.mp3
MICHAEL JACKSON - P.Y.T.mp3
R. KELLY - HAPPY PEOPLE FUNKYMIX.mp3
LIL TROY - WANNA BE A BALLA.mp3
2 PAC - HOW DO YOU WANT IT.mp3
SUBLIME - WHAT I GOT.mp3
BLACKSTREET - NO DIGGITY.mp3
KEITH SWEAT - NOBODY.mp3
DR. DRE - FORGOT ABOUT DRE.mp3
SALT N PEPA - push it.vob
MC HAMMER - 2 LEGIT TO QUIT.mp3
RUN DMC - ITS TRICKY.mp3
MARKY MARK - GOOD VIBRATIONS.mp3
SNAP - THE POWER.mp3
LL COOL J - MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT.mp3
K7 - COME BABY COME.mp3
NAUGHTY BY NATURE - HIP HOP HOORAY.mp3
ONYX - SLAM.mp3
DR. DRE - THE NEXT EPISODE.mp3
PAPERBOY - DITTY.mp3
N2DEEP - BACK TO THE HOTEL.mp3
OL' DIRTY BASTARD - GOT YOUR MONEY.mp3
DIGITAL UNDERGROUND - THE HUMPTY DANCE.mp3
DJ ISAAC - FACE DOWN ASS UP.mp3
12 GAUGE - DONKEY BUTT.mp3
FREAK NASTY - DA DIP.mp3
DUICE - DAZZEY DUKES.mp3
TAG TEAM - whoomp! there it is.vob
TECHNOTRONIC - PUMP UP THE JAM.vob
VANILLA ICE - ice ice baby.vob
The end result: the thugs bolted and everyone else had a blast. I had people coming up every couple minutes and a lot of the songs they wanted to hear I haven't thought of in years.
There was one girl who wanted to hear Kelis - Bossy. I told her is was Throwback Thursday and I was only playing old school. She begged saying it was her birthday. I apologized and asked if there was an oldschool song she wanted to hear. She said she made the request and I have to play it. I told her I couldn't and she asked where the owner was. I told her the owner is never there during open hours (the truth). She says she wants to hear the song now. I told her that the only way she will hear it is to go to another bar with a jukebox or go buy the CD.
Posted Sat 20 Jan 07 @ 12:56 am
DJ Marcel_1
Next time you have a room full off gansta-types that don;t dance and only look to cause shit; try this little variation.
Rock music
Buck Cherry - Crazy Bitch
Nickleback - Figured you out
Nine Inch Nails - The hand that feeds
Champion - No heaven
Shocor - Bonecracker
Marilyn Manson - Personal Jesus
Spiderbait - Black Betty 2006
Jet - Are you gonna be my girl
System of a down - Anysong will do but most popular by far is Chop Suey
Korn - Got the life or Y'all Wanna Single
Living Colour - Cult of Personality
We get a lot of headbangers/goth freaks in the club I work at so we play lots of rock.
Not sure where you are located there Nutz but In the Great White north (Canada) Rock Music is still very very popular. That is by far the easiest method of rotating the dancefloor and even doing a compleat club population changeover on insanely busy nights (we're on the local nightclub "strip")
I get those type of girls as well. They really bother me - demanding princesses. If they Tell me it's her birthday I might give her a birthdat promotional drink - but the song does not get played if I have said no for whatever reason - most of the time I've already played it.
DJ Marcel
Purple Onion NightClub
Rock music
Buck Cherry - Crazy Bitch
Nickleback - Figured you out
Nine Inch Nails - The hand that feeds
Champion - No heaven
Shocor - Bonecracker
Marilyn Manson - Personal Jesus
Spiderbait - Black Betty 2006
Jet - Are you gonna be my girl
System of a down - Anysong will do but most popular by far is Chop Suey
Korn - Got the life or Y'all Wanna Single
Living Colour - Cult of Personality
We get a lot of headbangers/goth freaks in the club I work at so we play lots of rock.
Not sure where you are located there Nutz but In the Great White north (Canada) Rock Music is still very very popular. That is by far the easiest method of rotating the dancefloor and even doing a compleat club population changeover on insanely busy nights (we're on the local nightclub "strip")
I get those type of girls as well. They really bother me - demanding princesses. If they Tell me it's her birthday I might give her a birthdat promotional drink - but the song does not get played if I have said no for whatever reason - most of the time I've already played it.
DJ Marcel
Purple Onion NightClub
Posted Sat 20 Jan 07 @ 1:32 am
