Interactive DJs Is anyone else receiving calls for Juneteenth parties? ... I am not interested

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CurtissTheDJ

DJ Extraordinaire
Apr 18, 2019
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I have received calls, and referrals inquiring about Juneteenth celebrations. If you are a DJ in the Clearwater Beach/Tampa Bay FL area, and would be interested in playing this type of event(s), please let me know as I have been passing these calls on to other DJs.
During 1st (and only) conversation(s), I asked if they will want rap/hip hop type songs (which I try often not to play due to lyrics (even clean lyrics), and song content). I always refer rap clients to other DJs. Some clients will even say profanity is okay. I do not play any songs that profanity/n-word.
Correction; I do play 1 Song: I'm On A Boat, but ONLY with I am performing College Events that are located on a Dinner Yacht, out on the Gulf, and Clearwater Bay.
 
I don't know about parties, perse. but I've done some Juneteenth celebrations (mostly providing sound). For music, don't feel limited to just rap/hip-hop. Since it's a celebration and recognization of the date when the last group of enslaved Americans heard about their freedom and in general African-American culture and the fight to end racism today, you can mix in a lot of different styles of music.

That said, rap and hip-hop is a big part of, not just African-American culture, but pop-culture in general, if you're not comfortable playing it, then I think you're handling it well by referring others.
 
For me it's not just the music a client and their guest want but the type of event and the location of the event. Certain clients are not my cup of tea. So let another DJ deal with that headache.
 
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I don't know about parties, perse. but I've done some Juneteenth celebrations (mostly providing sound). For music, don't feel limited to just rap/hip-hop. Since it's a celebration and recognization of the date when the last group of enslaved Americans heard about their freedom and in general African-American culture and the fight to end racism today, you can mix in a lot of different styles of music.

That said, rap and hip-hop is a big part of, not just African-American culture, but pop-culture in general, if you're not comfortable playing it, then I think you're handling it well by referring others.
When she (potential client) said that she/they will want rap/hip/hop ...she even said: "...you know, that thug rap music. ...". I knew at that moment to let here know that "I am not the DJ for you. ... Here our some DJs who may accommodate you."
 
When she (potential client) said that she/they will want rap/hip/hop ...she even said: "...you know, that thug rap music. ...". I knew at that moment to let here know that "I am not the DJ for you. ... Here our some DJs who may accommodate you."
That's where I'm at. Around here it's called gangster rap. I believe in letting a DJ willing to do an event for that client and their guests to have at it.
 
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When she (potential client) said that she/they will want rap/hip/hop ...she even said: "...you know, that thug rap music. ...". I knew at that moment to let here know that "I am not the DJ for you. ... Here our some DJs who may accommodate you."

I'd say you made a very good call.
 
It doesn't matter to me what the celebration is for, except for maybe a hate group. I'll help celebrate just about anything. I have no problem with rap music. Most of my music is edited, but they'll know the words any way. A swear word doesn't bother me if the adult crowd is enjoying the music. If they are focused on the foul language or its getting them worked up, that's different.
I would delve deeper in the thuggish part. I did have a groom one time say he wanted mostly thug rap. I said I have mostly edited versions, he said no, I don't want those. I said what about your guests, your grandparents, do you think they want to hear that? He said he didn't care what they wanted. I said I understand but I'm not the DJ you want.
If the most important thing in your celebration is an abundance of foul language, we aren't on the same page.
 
It doesn't matter to me what the celebration is for, except for maybe a hate group. I'll help celebrate just about anything. I have no problem with rap music. Most of my music is edited, but they'll know the words any way. A swear word doesn't bother me if the adult crowd is enjoying the music. If they are focused on the foul language or its getting them worked up, that's different.
I would delve deeper in the thuggish part. I did have a groom one time say he wanted mostly thug rap. I said I have mostly edited versions, he said no, I don't want those. I said what about your guests, your grandparents, do you think they want to hear that? He said he didn't care what they wanted. I said I understand but I'm not the DJ you want.
If the most important thing in your celebration is an abundance of foul language, we aren't on the same page.
Exactly! Events like you have described is where I get Grandparents and others, upset with me/the DJ (due to the crowd is spewing out loudly the inappropriate language) because they are impressioned that the songs being played are the choice of the DJ; where I have to explain to them that these songs were requested by the Client. ... So, I pass on all hip hop thug music.
I enjoy departing a venue being in a happy mood on my drive back home.
 
Exactly! Events like you have described is where I get Grandparents and others, upset with me/the DJ (due to the crowd is spewing out loudly the inappropriate language) because they are impressioned that the songs being played are the choice of the DJ; where I have to explain to them that these songs were requested by the Client. ... So, I pass on all hip hop thug music.
I enjoy departing a venue being in a happy mood on my drive back home.

I completely agree with you. Like others here, I've had a few clients who would want the explicit cuts and had the attitude, "I want it, screw everybody else." Anybody who is rude enough to intentionally offend others (especially their family) is not anyone who deserves my services. It's very uncomfortable when grandma, or mom or dad are red-faced and directing their anger at me (the DJ). Nobody should disrespect their family in that manner, and I don't care if it is your wedding. Common decency is still required.
 
I completely agree with you. Like others here, I've had a few clients who would want the explicit cuts and had the attitude, "I want it, screw everybody else." Anybody who is rude enough to intentionally offend others (especially their family) is not anyone who deserves my services. It's very uncomfortable when grandma, or mom or dad are red-faced and directing their anger at me (the DJ). Nobody should disrespect their family in that manner, and I don't care if it is your wedding. Common decency is still required.
I had this happen one time. Bride requested Prince's P-Control. It's like 11:00pm, Bride is requesting it, sure.

Her step-mom comes up and starts yelling at me for "playing this that my grand babies can hear"

I fade out and mix into something else, Bride and her friends are all like "what the hell?" I go "I'm sorry it's your stepmom she complained"

Bride tells me "play the song, I'll handle her"

I'm like "cool, this isn't uncomfortable at all"
 
Here's my take on Thug rap as it was stated. The lyrics are super vulgar. They degrade women in a lot of those songs calling women B's, hos and so much more. It nearly impossible to find clean versions of those songs. Even if you do, still they barely are clean. I used to hear them blasting those songs from cars regularly.

Some don't see anything wrong with the dirty versions of those songs. To them it's normal. I was in a bar once that's long gone. The Jukebox was playing and every song that was played was Thug rap. They degraded women through out all the songs and the women were loving it.

Before that bar got shut down a women got shot and killed outside that bar. I know some will get on my case for bringing this up. My thing is doing private events in classy venues where it cost good money to have an event there. Places like that are normally very selective as to who they rent the venue to.

Certain clients won't even consider having an event in such a venue because it's out of their league. The Thug crowd or someone that's a Thug client will normally look for a really cheap venue to have an event in. With a crowd like that you don't know what might happen.

Here's a great compliment. Those who charge a high premium price don't have to worry about a client like that because they won't even look their way because they won't spend that kind of money most of them.
 
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I completely agree with you. Like others here, I've had a few clients who would want the explicit cuts and had the attitude, "I want it, screw everybody else." Anybody who is rude enough to intentionally offend others (especially their family) is not anyone who deserves my services. It's very uncomfortable when grandma, or mom or dad are red-faced and directing their anger at me (the DJ). Nobody should disrespect their family in that manner, and I don't care if it is your wedding. Common decency is still required.
Thank You Rick!
 
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I had this happen one time. Bride requested Prince's P-Control. It's like 11:00pm, Bride is requesting it, sure.

Her step-mom comes up and starts yelling at me for "playing this that my grand babies can hear"

I fade out and mix into something else, Bride and her friends are all like "what the hell?" I go "I'm sorry it's your stepmom she complained"

Bride tells me "play the song, I'll handle her"

I'm like "cool, this isn't uncomfortable at all"
... I still would not have (continued) played that song.
 
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Here's my take on Thug rap as it was stated. The lyrics are super vulgar. They degrade women in a lot of those songs calling women B's, hos and so much more. It nearly impossible to find clean versions of those songs. Even if you do, still they barely are clean. I used to hear them blasting those songs from cars regularly.

Some don't see anything wrong with the dirty versions of those songs. To them it's normal. I was in a bar once that's long gone. The Jukebox was playing and every song that was played was Thug rap. They degraded women through out all the songs and the women were loving it.

Before that bar got shut down a women got shot and killed outside that bar. I know some will get on my case for bringing this up. My thing is doing private events in classy venues where it cost good money to have an event there. Places like that are normally very selective as to who they rent the venue to.

Certain clients won't even consider having an event in such a venue because it's out of their league. The Thug crowd or someone that's a Thug client will normally look for a really cheap venue to have an event in. With a crowd like that you don't know what might happen.

Here's a great compliment. Those who charge a high premium price don't have to worry about a client like that because they won't even look their way because they won't spend that kind of money most of them.
... WRONG ... In Tampa, FL the client booked https://pepindistributing.com/ ... T Pepins Hospitality Centre.
 
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... I still would not have (continued) played that song.
For me that would be difficult to not play the song because the bride requested it. I know and understand some people would take offense to such a song. If it was guests I wouldn't play it at all. A wedding should be a classy event and not trashy. I guess it depends on the bride in this case. Also where was the reception?

Brass Construction had a song called Changing. Times have truly changed. Things you never thought would happen is happening.
 
I had this happen one time. Bride requested Prince's P-Control. It's like 11:00pm, Bride is requesting it, sure.

Her step-mom comes up and starts yelling at me for "playing this that my grand babies can hear"

I fade out and mix into something else, Bride and her friends are all like "what the hell?" I go "I'm sorry it's your stepmom she complained"

I wouldn't ever shut down a request if the wedding couple themselves made it. When you're doing a wedding, it's important to know who the boss is.

I specifically ask for the couple getting married to be the named party on my contract, even if mom and dad are paying for this specific reason. You shouldn't ever have to second guess a chain of command in the middle of a wedding.

In that situation, I politely apologize to the stepmom and say "I'm sorry you don't find it appropriate. I might not have chosen this myself but _____ specifically asked me to play this and it's her day."
 
Thug rap
I saw separate interviews with Snoop Dog and Dionne Warwick talking about a time they worked together. Dionne demanded that he be there at 7am sharp to start or to not bother coming. She scolded him for saying "dissing". After he told her it just meant "disrespect", she said well let's just use the proper word then.
Snoop said he was raised among strong women and did as he was told and loved working with her.
 
I wouldn't ever shut down a request if the wedding couple themselves made it. When you're doing a wedding, it's important to know who the boss is.

I specifically ask for the couple getting married to be the named party on my contract, even if mom and dad are paying for this specific reason. You shouldn't ever have to second guess a chain of command in the middle of a wedding.

In that situation, I politely apologize to the stepmom and say "I'm sorry you don't find it appropriate. I might not have chosen this myself but _____ specifically asked me to play this and it's her day."
I have played a few weddings and other events where I have received future Bookings from parents of the Newlyweds, Grandparents and Guests from events who have said that they enjoyed my song selections. It is a great feeling when you receive Contacts and clients for future bookings when the client says that they say me play at so & so's event. It happens quite often. This is reason that I do not play songs that contain profanity. (Kids)
 
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