I love your DJ wisdom on most of your thoughts on the state of the DJ address, but on this particular subject you were a little all over the place. I embrace the term Open format DJ it makes sense as it states what kind of DJ you are, I am "OPEN" to play and mix any genre "FORMAT". Not all DJs have the knowelege to play/mix on the fly Rock, pop, 80s, Country. will state I am a Hip-Hop DJay, or my forte is EDM, or I spin Country music. But when you state I am OPEN FORMAT you can Jump in and mix any known and most genres very well. usually it associates with older DJs who know alot of music past and present in mostly every genre, IMHO.
You hit the nail on the head with "open format" being considered a genre. Many club owners, managers & promoters where I'm at think that way, & it tends to mean the same 300 tracks everyone hears at all the popular venues, simply put, radio/tiktok hits. My counter, "I play what sounds good."
Man I love your videos. There’s no over the top, no (fake) high energy, just “hey let’s talk for a minute” And I think you nailed this topic. I hate being asked “oh what do you DJ” “whatever is asked of me”
I believe the term "open format" came from the idea of "do you take request or do you NOT take request?", ...meaning, DJ's that specialize in a certain style of djing, do NOT want to take requests, there fore they only primarily play one or two styles of music with no requests. Whereas open format djs are more open to requests because they will and like playing all different styles and genras.... thoughts, anyone?
Q4TC: I try and usually play songs that I like and I think the crowd will vibe with. Every once in a while I will take a request, and then base a few of the songs I play on that request. Obviously crowd reading is super important, but I base everything on trying to be different than everyone else. So I won’t just play uptown funk unless I want to hear it. :)
When people ask me, what kind of music do I play? I just say all genres all decades. I also tell them I’ve playing since the 90s so I know how to rock the crowd and figure it out.. I find it weird when people nowadays ask what type of music do you play?…When we had records in each “physical” crate back then of the all genres, People just knew you played everything if you said I’m a DJ, and they would say right on bad ass.! In my eyes personally, and this is my own opinion, but I believe it’s a valid one. If you consider yourself a DJ You should know how to mix any genre, n decade to rock the crowd. When people say oh I’m just a EDM DJ I just roll my eyes because that’s the easiest thing to Dj to me, and that also tells me you don’t know how to mix anything else and genre “without pushing the button to beat match”.. I think this is how it should go and how people should “think” when they ask what you do if you say, I’m a DJ. to them that should mean, oh you play everything! End of conversation.. and for others explain what type of D.j. you are which I’m sure you do that’s how the whole problem started lol
Just play what you feel if it feels good to the crowd and they rocket with you keep on doing it. You can’t please everybody sometimes you have to please a few
Promoters and other people in power will always look for the easiest way to categorize and package what a DJ plays; it commoditizes what we do, but that’s the world. The problem for me is that DJ who thinks open format will die. Anyone who thinks that doesn’t understand what being a DJ is. As far as terminology, it’s come a long way. I started spinning in the 80s. Back there was no internet and music magazines and trade mags ruled everything. When hip-hop blew up, the industry was so racist that they defined hip-hop as “urban” music on the music charts. THAT was a ridiculous term.
First of, THANK YOU for your content and all the knowledge dropping and sharing🙏🏿!! I would say "Open Format" is not actually a new thing, our pioneers such as Kool Herc to name one used to play different styles at the block parties and jams (Funk, Soul, Rock etc.) because they were playing what was at their disposal and wax their parents had.. So I would say "real" dj's play different styles/jams that match together and make sense..
It takes an a lot of ego to get in front of a crowd and spin records. The excess self-esteem has to make up distinctions about who is and who isn't. Humble people just try to get along. It's not that hard.
if they ask you what kind of music you play as a DJ? then that's the answer. OPEN FORMAT. I don't see what's the problem with saying that. if you are for example a Medical or Science doctor, still so you have different options, to answer. like for example a specialist in internal medicine, surgery, math, biology, and so on. it helps only the client in this case, to better understand and know what kind of music you play, or even skills you might have. it is just a short way to say, I can play wherever you need in any genre. DJs can do way more than only party and rocking the crowd. I play in venues where they want for example only jazz or Boleros background music, galleries, and fancy places. sometimes I do a show as well or even play with a Timba Cubana band or Timbaton in a show. radio programs where you can learn about specific music or musicians. that´s why open format. to me, that is the best way to describe it.
Yeah couldn’t agree more. I too hate putting myself in a box by saying a specific genre. I usually tailor an answer to that question by saying it depends on what kind of music the event wants
Open format has always been hip hop DJing to me. Hip hop samples all genres so when you're mixing hip hop, you're mixing open format if you introduced breaks, samples or related genres to your set.
There you go bro... truth be told.. as for as Im concerned, there is waaayy too much music in the world to be in a single "genre" for the time that you are playing..
Its not PDot its not the same Open Format is Playing everything from House to Country to rock to Latino to Afro Beat everything ,Hip Hop DJ Playing R&B as well or Dance Hall no Country no Pop no Rock. Its the same about House or Techno DJ 😉😉😉😉
I disagree with almost everything said in this video. I know it’s “cool” for Dj’s to say the term “open format” doesn’t mean anything but the reality is it does mean something. Not every DJ can (or wants to) play every genre. If you go out of your traveling DJ bubble and talk to regular DJs most of them have a specific genre they play. Same thing with clubs. I’ve been to ALOT more clubs that play one genre all night than clubs that just let you play whatever. There are a billion DJs out there who just want to play hip hop/trap or house or whatever all night and have no interest in dropping fallout boy or Katy Perry so saying it’s “just DJing” discounts what it is. I’m also founding that in the last few years (I’m on year 20) more and more people in my crowds are becoming less tolerant of the multi genre thing. I work in a place that brings in diverse crowds and more often now I get groups make requests for genres and as soon as the genre switches the other people just leave. It’s a byproduct of the streaming error. I also think it’s weird when you say “I don’t know what the term should be”…. Right there you’re saying it needs a term so why are we stressing it when we literally have the term. It already makes perfect sense.
Open format is just a term for normies! Say it Marc! 😂 Real talk tho, playing to the crowd that’s varies every time is WAY HARDER than sticking to one genre
Good topic Pdot. I’d say that every DJ has core genre/genres that is in his blood , that he natively vibes with. For career purposes , the titles are sometimes useful. Example , if you are just a “DJ “ then a potential client checks your socials and they see mostly hip hop type stuff then they might assume you’re a hip hop only DJ . With the over saturation of DJs in the world market , the segmentation is kinda necessary from the working DJs to hobby DJs , etc etc .
I love your DJ wisdom on most of your thoughts on the state of the DJ address, but on this particular subject you were a little all over the place. I embrace the term Open format DJ it makes sense as it states what kind of DJ you are, I am "OPEN" to play and mix any genre "FORMAT". Not all DJs have the knowelege to play/mix on the fly Rock, pop, 80s, Country. will state I am a Hip-Hop DJay, or my forte is EDM, or I spin Country music. But when you state I am OPEN FORMAT you can Jump in and mix any known and most genres very well. usually it associates with older DJs who know alot of music past and present in mostly every genre, IMHO.
I agree..
I definitely agree with you 100%
You hit the nail on the head with "open format" being considered a genre. Many club owners, managers & promoters where I'm at think that way, & it tends to mean the same 300 tracks everyone hears at all the popular venues, simply put, radio/tiktok hits.
My counter, "I play what sounds good."
I’m just confused why people keep saying “open format is not a genre”….. ya, it’s a format. DJs play in venues (mostly) and venues have formats
Man I love your videos. There’s no over the top, no (fake) high energy, just “hey let’s talk for a minute”
And I think you nailed this topic. I hate being asked “oh what do you DJ” “whatever is asked of me”
I believe the term "open format" came from the idea of "do you take request or do you NOT take request?", ...meaning, DJ's that specialize in a certain style of djing, do NOT want to take requests, there fore they only primarily play one or two styles of music with no requests. Whereas open format djs are more open to requests because they will and like playing all different styles and genras.... thoughts, anyone?
Q4TC: I try and usually play songs that I like and I think the crowd will vibe with. Every once in a while I will take a request, and then base a few of the songs I play on that request.
Obviously crowd reading is super important, but I base everything on trying to be different than everyone else. So I won’t just play uptown funk unless I want to hear it. :)
When people ask me, what kind of music do I play? I just say all genres all decades. I also tell them I’ve playing since the 90s so I know how to rock the crowd and figure it out..
I find it weird when people nowadays ask what type of music do you play?…When we had records in each “physical” crate back then of the all genres, People just knew you played everything if you said I’m a DJ, and they would say right on bad ass.! In my eyes personally, and this is my own opinion, but I believe it’s a valid one. If you consider yourself a DJ You should know how to mix any genre, n decade to rock the crowd. When people say oh I’m just a EDM DJ I just roll my eyes because that’s the easiest thing to Dj to me, and that also tells me you don’t know how to mix anything else and genre “without pushing the button to beat match”..
I think this is how it should go and how people should “think” when they ask what you do if you say, I’m a DJ. to them that should mean, oh you play everything! End of conversation..
and for others explain what type of D.j. you are which I’m sure you do that’s how the whole problem started lol
Keep dropping those nuggets of wisdom my brother!!
Just play what you feel if it feels good to the crowd and they rocket with you keep on doing it. You can’t please everybody sometimes you have to please a few
Thank you for voicing this. I’ve thought about this as well.
Promoters and other people in power will always look for the easiest way to categorize and package what a DJ plays; it commoditizes what we do, but that’s the world. The problem for me is that DJ who thinks open format will die. Anyone who thinks that doesn’t understand what being a DJ is.
As far as terminology, it’s come a long way. I started spinning in the 80s. Back there was no internet and music magazines and trade mags ruled everything. When hip-hop blew up, the industry was so racist that they defined hip-hop as “urban” music on the music charts. THAT was a ridiculous term.
First of, THANK YOU for your content and all the knowledge dropping and sharing🙏🏿!! I would say "Open Format" is not actually a new thing, our pioneers such as Kool Herc to name one used to play different styles at the block parties and jams (Funk, Soul, Rock etc.) because they were playing what was at their disposal and wax their parents had.. So I would say "real" dj's play different styles/jams that match together and make sense..
It takes an a lot of ego to get in front of a crowd and spin records. The excess self-esteem has to make up distinctions about who is and who isn't. Humble people just try to get along. It's not that hard.
if they ask you what kind of music you play as a DJ? then that's the answer. OPEN FORMAT. I don't see what's the problem with saying that. if you are for example a Medical or Science doctor, still so you have different options, to answer. like for example a specialist in internal medicine, surgery, math, biology, and so on. it helps only the client in this case, to better understand and know what kind of music you play, or even skills you might have. it is just a short way to say, I can play wherever you need in any genre. DJs can do way more than only party and rocking the crowd. I play in venues where they want for example only jazz or Boleros background music, galleries, and fancy places. sometimes I do a show as well or even play with a Timba Cubana band or Timbaton in a show. radio programs where you can learn about specific music or musicians. that´s why open format. to me, that is the best way to describe it.
(1:57) That’s right! Good insight.
P Dot entered his modern angst phase and I’m here for it. Let the hate flow through you, my son. ;)
Llolololool
Yeah couldn’t agree more. I too hate putting myself in a box by saying a specific genre. I usually tailor an answer to that question by saying it depends on what kind of music the event wants
paddle switch for the raneone patties break of the fx
it this true
Open format has always been hip hop DJing to me. Hip hop samples all genres so when you're mixing hip hop, you're mixing open format if you introduced breaks, samples or related genres to your set.
Well said.
I couldn't agree more
Know your worth…
There you go bro... truth be told.. as for as Im concerned, there is waaayy too much music in the world to be in a single "genre" for the time that you are playing..
Its not PDot its not the same Open Format is Playing everything from House to Country to rock to Latino to Afro Beat everything ,Hip Hop DJ Playing R&B as well or Dance Hall no Country no Pop no Rock. Its the same about House or Techno DJ 😉😉😉😉
I disagree with almost everything said in this video. I know it’s “cool” for Dj’s to say the term “open format” doesn’t mean anything but the reality is it does mean something. Not every DJ can (or wants to) play every genre. If you go out of your traveling DJ bubble and talk to regular DJs most of them have a specific genre they play. Same thing with clubs. I’ve been to ALOT more clubs that play one genre all night than clubs that just let you play whatever. There are a billion DJs out there who just want to play hip hop/trap or house or whatever all night and have no interest in dropping fallout boy or Katy Perry so saying it’s “just DJing” discounts what it is. I’m also founding that in the last few years (I’m on year 20) more and more people in my crowds are becoming less tolerant of the multi genre thing. I work in a place that brings in diverse crowds and more often now I get groups make requests for genres and as soon as the genre switches the other people just leave. It’s a byproduct of the streaming error. I also think it’s weird when you say “I don’t know what the term should be”…. Right there you’re saying it needs a term so why are we stressing it when we literally have the term. It already makes perfect sense.
Yeah. Formats are vinyl, cd, mp3s / wavs. Should just call it 'multi-genre'
Why are you so slow in talking 1:20
Open format is just a term for normies! Say it Marc! 😂
Real talk tho, playing to the crowd that’s varies every time is WAY HARDER than sticking to one genre
I thought open format was to specify that you mix multiple formats…meaning mixing vinyl and MP3s together
Yeah. Formats are vinyl, cd, mp3s / wavs. Should just call it 'multi-genre'.
Good topic Pdot. I’d say that every DJ has core genre/genres that is in his blood , that he natively vibes with. For career purposes , the titles are sometimes useful. Example , if you are just a “DJ “ then a potential client checks your socials and they see mostly hip hop type stuff then they might assume you’re a hip hop only DJ . With the over saturation of DJs in the world market , the segmentation is kinda necessary from the working DJs to hobby DJs , etc etc .
hater gonna hate