Diving into DJing

DJing is on the rise among celebrities, students, and people in the electronic music scene alike. Is it just a trend, or is it paving the way for a new era of music production?

By Olivia Prieto

Photograph by Olivia Thornton

It seems that in the past year or so, more and more people have garnered an interest in DJing. With social media influencers such as Tara Yummy and Vanillamace hosting their own DJ sets and tours, as well as a new found popularity of many techno artists such as The Hellp and bassvictim, there has been a revival in appreciation for electronic and indie sleaze genres among college students.

Contrary to modern trends, being a DJ has not historically been focused on curating techno-rave beats. It had taken nearly three decades for DJing to become synonymous with the types of clubbing and partying we know today. In 1934, American columnist Walter Winchell coined the term “disc jockey” to describe radio announcer Martin Block. In the 40s, dance parties with DJs and recorded music rather than live bands became popular in England and Europe, which garnered further popularity in America later as the century continued.

In the early 50s, DJs began performing at “sock hop” parties and live events. Following the late-60s funk and Motown era, 70s disco music became dance-oriented, upbeat, and electronic. Stemming from a type of dance club known as “discotheques,” the popularity of nightclubs, parties, and bars defined the decade. During this time, the invention of twin turntables allowed DJs to create original music, and new technological innovations further made it possible for DJs to create smooth transitions between songs.

The creation of Music Television (MTV) in 1981 coupled with the birth of the rave scene in the 90s completely transformed the practice of DJing forever. DJs were now able to establish a brand of their own and evolve their careers in music production. On top of this, the creation of an MP3 DJing license made it more convenient for DJs to travel between events—the license allows them to store their sets into a single hard drive. 

Now, in the 2000s, we see mainstream EDM DJs like The Chainsmokers, Marshmello, and Calvin Harris performing at major music festivals like Coachella and Ultra Music Festival. By having this scene seep into the mainstream, it opens up more opportunities for individuals to feel inspired and connected to this widespread community of music.

Boston University has a wide variety of music-based extracurricular activities. From musical theater, to acapella groups, to their own DJ collective, BU has created a hub for student self-expression through music. Lucy Johnson (COM ‘28) is a part of BU on Beat, a DJ collective on campus dedicated to showcasing students’ DJ abilities, which hosts DJing and EDM events and even curates classes for any beginners who are interested in learning. They began DJing in 2023 and love to incorporate a variety of musical genres into their sets.

“My favorite part of DJing, and music in general, is discovery and open-mindedness,” Johnson said. “I love the collectivity of music, and particularly live gigs.”

Along with DJing, Johnson is also in a band called Dust Jacket. Dust Jacket has a couple of live performances coming up, including BU Battle of the Bands, and a gig at The Burren on April 1st.

The popularization of DJs and their recorded sets have served as inspiration for young people interested in the music world. By promoting their sets, artists pave the way for aspiring DJs in the scene to start practicing. Quinn Bryant (COM ‘29) started practicing to become a DJ about 4 months ago, “I started DJing because I saw this beautiful video of Ecco2k having a set in Stockholm,” said Quinn Bryant (COM ‘29). “That inspired me to start learning.”  Bryant is working to start promoting her DJ sets and events on her professional instagram: itz.quinn444ever.

What’s particularly unique and appealing about DJing is that it can either be a stepping stone into further music production and curation, or it can become a full professional title. It certainly can be a passing phase for many who try and learn, but the community is so tight-knit and supportive that once you start, you won’t want to stop. Here’s some advice from Johnson to aspiring DJs: “If you unapologetically play what you love, it will shine through in your mixes. Ultimately, the goal is to be curious and eager to play, dance, and try new things, so just have fun and play what you love!”