Last week I came across a Facebook post that disturbed and pissed me off. It was a whole bunch of DJs having a laugh and a dig, in a thread, at a 10-year-old DJ that had just brought out a mix CD.
Now some might ask, when’s the appropriate age to start DJing? Or when should children be “allowed” to start DJing? My question is, why even ask a question like that? Do you ask that question when a child starts playing a musical instrument or shows an interest in sport?
I started playing the piano at the age of 5 after my mother sent me for lessons. I never questioned it and neither did anyone else. Why is this different to DJing? DJing is an extremely popular vocation at the moment and majority of kids aspire to excel in what is popular.
My actual issue however was how these “adult” DJ’s carried on about the whole thing – “My life can end”, “I’m going to throw myself off my roof”, “The world can end”, “fuck this kid” – Really?? Your life must be pretty pathetic if you are willing to end it because a 10-year-old DJ just brought out a mix CD.
When young children excel at singing or a sport, people praise them. People admire them for being so talented. People are in awe that they have the courage to do it in front of people. Yet these “adult” DJs thought it was pathetic. At what point do you as an adult become intimidated by a child? At what point do you as an adult think that it is okay to diss and degrade a child? That child isn’t even “competing” with your target market. This 10-year-old is not looking to sell records to 20-year-olds and up. He’s looking to sell records to his peers. Or at the very least be acknowledged by them.
Do you not stop and think how awesome it is that a 10 year old is doing something that he loves? I actually know this DJ. I had him perform on my show. He mixed live. He mixed perfectly. His choice of songs were great. And he had the confidence to mix live on a national radio station and in front of a studio audience. I have had adult DJs shit themselves to mix live on radio and then mumble through an interview. This DJ was brilliant. And more importantly was how his peers reacted to him.
My children think that he is awesome! They look up to him! They want to buy his album. And this is actually why some DJs have a reputation of being wankers and up their own arse. Cause they can’t see past their own egos and choice of “dance genre” (but that is a whole other column in itself). All if have to say to those sort of DJs is… GET THE FUCK OVER YOURSELF.
Some new music for your ears this week:
Fat White Family, six guys from South London. Released their Debut album “Champagne Holocaust” late 2013.
Eyedress (Idris Vicuña). From Quezon City, Manila, Philippines.
