The Controversial Claim: DJing Is Not a Real Job
In the world of entertainment, few roles spark as much debate as that of the DJ. A recent opinion piece has ignited fierce discussions by asserting that being a DJ is not a legitimate profession. The author argues that DJs earn exorbitant sums—sometimes up to $1 million for a single festival set—merely for playing music created by others, rather than contributing original artistry.
The Core Argument: Proficiency Over Creativity
The critique centers on the idea that DJs are proficient laborers, not true artists. In what other field, the author questions, is taking credit for someone else's brilliance so highly rewarded? With audiences primed to dance and often under the influence, the task of selecting popular tracks is portrayed as hardly a monumental feat. The piece emphasizes that decades of floor-filling tunes make it relatively easy to curate a set that pleases a crowd.
Clarifying the Stance: Not an Attack on Fun or Culture
Importantly, the author clarifies that this disdain is not rooted in discriminatory views like the historic "disco sucks" campaign or a narrow definition of "real music." There is no opposition to clubs, dancing, or people enjoying themselves. Instead, the issue lies with the idolization of DJs as cultural icons. The piece acknowledges that clubbing is a communal experience, often needing a human focal point, but questions why the DJ receives disproportionate adulation over other contributors like bar staff or lighting engineers.
Historical Context and Modern Exacerbation
The cult of the DJ is seen as a reaction to past genre snobbery, where dance music was dismissed as "faceless techno bollocks." However, the author notes that this reverence has worsened over time. From personal experience working at a dance music magazine, many DJs were described as having an inflated sense of self-worth, nurtured by years of sycophantic admiration. Today, the trend of celebrities like Paris Hilton and Gok Wan taking up DJing as a hobby further undermines its status as a serious profession, suggesting it's more of a vanity project than a skilled career.
Conclusion: Time for a Reality Check
Ultimately, the piece calls for a reassessment of DJing's place in the job market. With high pay for minimal creative input and celebrity dabblers, it argues that DJing should be viewed as a glorified hobby rather than a proper job. The author urges the industry to recognize this and put the "dancy" back into "redundancy," sparking a broader conversation about value and artistry in modern music culture.
