How do DJs gain respect.........

I recently attended the Chicago Town “House” Meeting on February 23rd , where I heard someone mention there’s 1000 djs in the Chicago area all tryin’ to get on. An exaggeration I’m sure but what does it really take for a house music dj to gain respect in a city that’s so judgmental?

I live on Chicago’s south-side but this may apply to any city. How do djs gain respect? Does traveling overseas gain you the props to fill venues or do dj’s just need a local following?
What if the dj is playin’ good music but few come out to hear him /her? Or maybe a dj is playing the same music each and every set he/she does and it continues to fill their venues because of name recognition.

Sadar Bahar a well known dj in the house music community and member of Soul In The Hole said “DJs gain respect from Internet hype and because of this you have a lot of djs playin’ and you got people that’s serious .....and Chicago is so full of both that it’s hard to work ....”
So how is respect gained when it comes to being a house music dj?
I recently posted a thread similar to these question on both www.bringtheheat.com and www.deephouspage.com.
I received short sweet comments from various DJs from www.deephousepage.com and www.bringtheheat.com.

DJJM3.COM from deephousepage.com said, “You have to go away from home to be appreciated at home..."
Another DHP member named Doug said , “ Work hard and be humble.”
DHP member J C-Los said, “ The moment a stranger tells you "hey you rocked on the tables" then you’ve pretty much gained respect.”

DHP member Nege added, “Respect?..........by being good at what you do and know what you are doing OVER a period of time with the experience of displaying this to people....demand (travelling etc...) is another thing...altogether.”

As more and more djs responded the comments became more in-depth and expressive.

V-ROD from www.bringtheheat.com said, “It all starts with one person. If they like what they hear, they’re gonna look for ya as long as your consistent. I've been on the internet for a few years but I'm still in the same boat. Then again, I haven't gone out and done anything to back up my internet persona. So it has its pros and cons. It all depends on your own personal achievement. As far as the thing having recognition here or outside of here, we have to go back as to how far you’re willing to go in this business.

Let's take for instance the popular DJs that are out now. Gene Hunt, Mike Dunn, Jamie 326, hell even Rahaan, they have all gone out networked, hired an agent/promoter something to get themselves out there. They've might have done a record or 2 to gain notoriety in their own right. As far as respect, well that all depends on the person. Chicago is pretty picky when it comes down to who and what they like. Everywhere else, it’s all love.
Jes saying.”

OV1 from BTH said “Well twin, that's Chicago I mean a lot of djs play real nice music and people act like they have something personal against especially when they have a favorite dj. Then you have those who's just used to the norm, programmed or something! The way I see it is like people have to get familiar with how you play, if you play cutz! Real muzik listeners will like your style. One would have to get out and play!!!!!!!!!”

RAS 420 from BTH also added, “I used to spin years ago in my "Mendel Days" and I stepped away for a while, but now I'm back. The whole scene has changed. IMO the wrong people are gettin' too much hype. I've known DJ's for years (20+) that have been puttin' in SERIOUS WORK and beatin' SERIOUS HEAT and still not gettin' the much respect they deserve.
Respect is earned, and I respect anyone who goes against the grain of this "sing-a-long society" when it comes to playin GOOD music. I grew up listening to GOOD music, that’s all I know, and when I got back into my music and found other DJ's still bringing the HEAT. I knew this is what I wanted to be a part of.
As far as gaining respect as a DJ, it's being yourself, playin' your own style(s) and stickin' to it. Of course I wouldn't mind making money in the process but [b]STAY TRUE TO WHAT YOU DO[/b].”

Fox 50 from BTH responded saying, “I can't say much more then RAS on this one, but WORD.”

“Interesting thing about internet fame, I heard about Rahaan and Jamie 3:26 from straight up word of mouth. Now that's old school. Matter of fact, I was like let me see what this dude Rahaan is all about, and I found BTH.”

Dj Peace from BTH said,
“I would say that it involves music selection, interpersonal skills, networking, supporting other deejays in their endeavors and realizing that just because a person buys some equipment and downloads a bunch of music from traxsource or beatport does not make you a dj. I have been extremely blessed and fortunate to have earned respect in this industry and a good, loyal following around the globe. But I have also been very careful to not alienate anyone in the business and to always try to show love and support to other deejays. Finally, I play a variety of genres of EDM -anyone that knows me knows that I can and do play deep disco, soulful house, or if the crowd is a more progressive crowd, then that is what I play. For example, I do a weekly radio broadcast that allows me to experiment with neo-soul, acid jazz and other down tempo styles which are 180 degrees from my weekly mix show program in Belgium. I have been doing this for over 20 years and this is what I have learned along the way -be you and don't try to be or sound like the next person. My dos centavos.”



Shannon Harris a native of Chicago programmer of music for over 24 years and coined as the modern day Quincy Jones gave his humble views on this topic. “Consistency+dedication+exposure+dues+accomplishments=respect.”
"How do DJs gain respect in a city that's so judgmental?"

He said dj’s gain respect from fans and not other djs .
“The number of happy patrons should do the talking. Someone track record dictates there worth. If a dj wants to gain respect from other DJ's (who most of the time are in competition or opposition) then he/she is not making the right moves to begin with. Be about the people not the other DJ's.”

“Playing overseas doesn't fill venues but looks great from a international appeal perspective. Chicago dynamics are setup in a way if you are known or respected elsewhere then colleagues/promoters here will question why and become interested just from curiosity.”

He said when it comes to filling venues the promoter needs to find a marketing approach and get people in attendance.
“If it's good music then people will gravitate towards it.”
But ultimately he said names bring people.
“Those people may gather to hear what one may consider bullshit or loungy but if the number of patrons and supporters are huge then the perception of what’s bullshit versus what are people wanting to hear comes into play. What works for one person doesn't work for the next.”

“Internet hype is there but it’s another marketing strategy that's useful in today’s world.. Maybe internet perceptions can be blown out of proportion but also perceptions from word of mouth as well. I think a person who somehow capitalizes off of the internet hype could possibly bring more people to their venue/event. So I wouldn't view it as a downfall but a personal gain that needs to be tapped into. Use it don't refuse it.”

"……And because of this you got DJs out here playin' and you got people that's serious...."

If you were to take a poll every DJ would say they are serious. That's a perception as well. It takes more to judge how serious one is. Which is the formula I posted above: Consistency+dedication+exposure+dues+accomplishments=respect.”

Then he/she needs to find a marketing approach and get people in attendance. If it's good music then people will gravitate towards it. It's a matter of letting them know you exist and you are playing it. :)

"……Or maybe a DJ plays with bullsh!t and the house is full ....."

Bullshit is a perception. Names help bring people. Those people may gather to hear what one may consider bullshit or loungy but if the number of patrons and supporters are huge then the perception of what’s bullshit versus what are people wanting to hear comes into play. What works for one person doesn't work for the next.
"I've been told "DJs gain respect from Internet hype...."

Internet hype is there but it’s another marketing strategy that's useful in today’s world. Maybe internet perceptions can be blown out of proportion but also perceptions from word of mouth as well. I think a person who somehow capitalizes off of the internet hype could possibly bring more people to their venue/event. So I wouldn't view it as a downfall but a personal gain that needs to be tapped into. Use it don't refuse it. :)

"And because of this you got DJs out here playin' and you got people that's serious...."

If you were to take a poll every DJ would say they are serious. That's a perception as well. It takes more to judge how serious one is. Which is the formula I posted above: Consistency+dedication+exposure+dues+accomplishments=respect.