School & Teen Events MUST have clean songs

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Brian

Brian

DJ
Oct 28, 2006
1,005
10
North Carolina
www.southcharlottedj.com
Hey guys, i'm needing a bit of advice on how to handle this situation.

I'm doing a Winter formal for MY school on December 12th. This is the first dance the school will ever have, and the first dance I will DJ for at my school. Today, while trying to track down the person to ask about power and smoke alarms, I found myself in a small office with the principle and two top administrators. All were very nice and pleasant to deal with, however near the end of the conversation one looks me in the eyes and tells me that from an administrator to a business man, the songs better be clean. Implying that I'd get my ass kicked, in a business sense and reputation sense of course if they aren't. I know clean songs are a must for these dances, but the way he said it to me really got home the point that nothing will be tolerated.

All of the songs I buy are clean, but lately I'm using iTunes for all of my music needs and their version of "clean" isn't what I'd consider school appropriate. Depending on the song, I've herd "ass" "hoe" "damn" "g-string" etc. in songs. Now, I've got a dance in a little over a week and need a 100% clean show. Short of staying up all night going through every single song how would you handle this situation? What would you let through, and what wouldn't you? I know what alot of words won't be herd clearly by everyone in the gym because of the echo and 1000 kids soaking up the sound, so how on the edge should I go? Of course none of my songs have F***, $*** etc.
 
Not to be a jerk about it, but your user title says "teen event specialist". Wouldn't that imply that you'd already know what the content of your music is?

I would IMMEDIATELY get a weekly music service, and ask about back issues. Services, such as those from TM Studios ARE the versions being played on the radio. In most (but not all) cases, if it's clean enough for the radio, you should be fine.

If you would like to discuss specific songs and content, post 'em by name, and we can examine them, in this thread.
 
Steve Sharp said:
Not to be a jerk about it, but your user title says "teen event specialist". Wouldn't that imply that you'd already know what the content of your music is?

I would IMMEDIATELY get a weekly music service, and ask about back issues. Services, such as those from TM Studios ARE the versions being played on the radio. In most (but not all) cases, if it's clean enough for the radio, you should be fine.

If you would like to discuss specific songs and content, post 'em by name, and we can examine them, in this thread.
Click to expand...

Steve,
I understand your point, but aren't we all here to help each other, ask questions, further the industry by providing DJs with the information they need to perform to the best of their abilities? I can't stand "experts" that are so stuck up with the title that they think they own the world and can't learn anything else. Yes I have done over 100 teen events in the last 2.5-3 years, yes I am a teen, and yes I probably know what they like better than most here on the board. But, I know my limits and I care about our reputation as DJs enough to seek advice on how far I should push the limit on clean songs.

ALL of my songs are considered radio safe, but with that said, I still am not sure if, based on what the administrator told me, would be okay. Radios like the word "ass" in school, that word in front of an administrator will get you detention. Directed at a teacher, the word will get you suspension. My goal is to not only rock the show, but to be invited back to perform considering i'm not yet a senior and have 2 potential proms and at least 2 other potential dances with this school.
 
I get Promo Only - Mainstream Radio. They are FCC-compliant.

Example - Hot N Cold - Katy Perry

You change your mind
Like a girl changes clothes
Yeah you PMS
Like a bitch, I would know.

On the Promo Only version of the song, they changed bitch to girl. I heard the "bitch" version on the radio alot.

I tell people who ask, that I'm FCC-compliant. If you want to go cleaner, play music heard on Radio Disney.
 
Ruben Mora said:
I get Promo Only - Mainstream Radio. They are FCC-compliant.

Example - Hot N Cold - Katy Perry

You change your mind
Like a girl changes clothes
Yeah you PMS
Like a bitch, I would know.

On the Promo Only version of the song, they changed bitch to girl. I heard the "bitch" version on the radio alot.

I tell people who ask, that I'm FCC-compliant. If you want to go cleaner, play music heard on Radio Disney.
Click to expand...

Rubin, Thanks. I looked up the standards for the songs from itunes they have, and they are FCC compliant. If I was ever questioned I'm just going to say that.
 
Clarify their definition of clean.

If all thew want is no explicit lyrics in the songs, then its pretty straightforward.

However, if they dont want the song to have any implied sexual overtones and /or adult content, then it becomes complicated. There are songs with no bad lyrics but the meaning of the song is definitely adult or sexually themed.
 
Since it is a HS Dance I would be a little less worried then if it was a Middle School dance. I don't think that all music that is played on the radio should be played at a School function. I have an issue with 3 by Britney Spears. It is one of the most suggestive and non kid friendly songs I have heard on the radio in the past couple years. Yet the Radio Stations play it 4 times in an hour.

I would stick with the FCC thing and your own personal judgment. Censorship seems to be a fading thing for the Radio Stations. And sometimes it isn't enough justification to say "well they play it on the radio" or its a "radio Edit".

I actually had a lengthy discussion with the Principal for the Middle School dance I helped out at a few weeks back about what he and I thought was appropriate. It may help if you asked them if they had any "Do Not play" songs that come to mind. It really sounds like they had a problem in the past with DJ's not following their request.
 
Brian it seems like the principal or whoever it was sort of played the bully role. He had no right to approach it like he was talking down to a student. Even though he was he used a sarcastic choice to label you the business man while talking to you like you were a third grader. Id start off the night with NWA-F tha Police and if he doesnt intervene your set. Showin that Glock and looking strait outta Compton at him will let you know the rest of the nights potential. LOL Sorry but I hate A hole Administrators who think all should bow down to them in any case.
 
Greets, Brian.

You've gotten excellent responses in this thread... not a lot I can add to the discussion of music. Thanks, guys. :)

If it's any help I have had school admin people talk down to me on several occasions before DJing a school dance. And I'm nearly old enough to be their father, lol. I guess it's something they're trained to do.

As I'm sure you are aware, most of these admin types tend to talk in boilerplate language. I agree that this particular person's demeanor was unprofessional. But let's concentrate on what he said, not the manner in which he said it.

He (and I'm presuming, his superiors) are just voicing the old CYA approach. In other words, they informed the DJ company owner about their policy concerning music. The concern is not so much about innuendo in lyrics. Rather, these folks are more likely thinking about the hard-core rap stuff that's filled with swearing and degrading lyrics.

I have no doubts about your ability to run a great dance show at that school. You just need to alleviate their doubts, that's all.

Now that that's out of the way, let's spin some tunes and rock the house. :)

Thoughts?
 
Brian - Of anyone here I am probably the most cautious when it comes to music selection for children, especially middle school....

Every song has sexual connotations....but this is high school...18 year olds; adults and near adults..... I'd have no problems playing most any radio edit...I wouldn't play Crank Dat or 3 or If you seek Amy...but that's me....Is the principal going to have an issue with Tik Tok or Sexy Chick?

Unless you get an "approved" list, I fear you may be in for a world of hurt
 
I think that you should stick to the radio edits. For a song like "Hotel Room Service," get the remix with Nicole from the PSD: Amazon.com: Hotel Room Service Remix: Pitbull featuring Nicole Scherzinger: MP3 Downloads@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jF7J-KxQL.@@AMEPARAM@@51jF7J-KxQL

Consider playing some cleaner old school tracks (or edits), like "Bust a Move" by Young MC or "California Love" by Dr. Dre around the beginning of the night to stretch things out. Toss in some edited favorites from a few years ago by Nelly and Juvenile.

Remember that a lot of the music that those school administrators listen to (or used to listen to) has sexual lyrics, too, and maybe use some of that innuendo as a base on what's acceptable and what's not acceptable.
 
I am ABSOLUTELY here to help, especially those who don't already know it all. I can relate to them better, because I don't know it all, either. :sqcool:

Let's get specific, and help Brian build a playlist, which he can use, or totally abandon, at his discretion. I definitely agree with the notion that what you can play at a high school differs from what you can play at a middle school. However, ALL of this will vary from school to school. THIS school is watching the D.J. (Brian) very carefully, at least this first time.

Brian, what music genres do you believe you'll need at this school? Example: if the school leans heavily urban, the content of the new Britney Spears single may not matter, since no one will be interested in having it played. I would do my best to avoid ANY words that might be "hot button" for this administrator. Can you get away with it? Possibly. I just don't think it's a point worth pushing, if you don't have to. Example: if this school is interested in country, I might play one of the *ssless versions of "Toes" by Zac Brown Band. Language is easy, the harder part is CONTENT. I disagree with those who stayed away from "Crank Dat". While there has been speculation on what the lyrics mean, I simply don't think there's clear enough meaning to determine "yes, this song is obscene". It's innuendo, at most, and LOTS of songs have innuendo. I might not play it now, simply because it's outdated and over.

Brian, please tell us more about this school, and what songs you anticipate playing, and/or songs you have specific content questions about, and let's hash 'em out.
 
DJ Ducky said:
I think that you should stick to the radio edits. For a song like "Hotel Room Service," get the remix with Nicole from the PSD: Amazon.com: Hotel Room Service Remix: Pitbull featuring Nicole Scherzinger: MP3 Downloads

Consider playing some cleaner old school tracks (or edits), like "Bust a Move" by Young MC or "California Love" by Dr. Dre around the beginning of the night to stretch things out. Toss in some edited favorites from a few years ago by Nelly and Juvenile.

Remember that a lot of the music that those school administrators listen to (or used to listen to) has sexual lyrics, too, and maybe use some of that innuendo as a base on what's acceptable and what's not acceptable.
Click to expand...

Bust a Move isn't exactly clean
 
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