To the up and coming DJs who may be reading this; this one is just for you. Part of being a true school DJ is knowing the fact that music as a whole is universal. You know how most people go around saying ” I don’t listen to white folks music!” or ” whatcha playing that black music for?” Well for you to think or feel the same way is without doubt a no-no. You must expand your mind as well as your heart to all styles of music. Such as Jazz, Pop, Rock, Reggae, Big Band, R and B, Country, Contemporary country, Country Rock, Disco, Folk, Rock and Roll, Gospel, New Age, Soul, and yes this even includes Classical Music.

I’ve just described what I call an old school rule that you must operate within The N.B.A. Rule: No Bias Allowed! Never ever be partial to one type of sound because you’ll never know when a break-beat nobody else has heard before may come your way. Not only that but you may also find a funky loop, a stab, or a phrase come your way.

Just in case you’re someone who is truly starting from scratch (pardon the pun) of being a DJ, a break-beat is a Hip Hop term for a musical breakdown or a drum solo within a song. It was most prevalent in the late 60s to late 70s live band recordings until it pretty much died out at the end of the Disco era. This could be considered the main reason why you can’t be bias to a particular sound from that period. Break-beats could be found on any song you could get your hands on. I remember Grandsinister Ice once told me he had a Country Rock album he thought about tossing in the garbage until he discovered a break-beat on it. Yet, understand, break-beats are not just the only thing to look for in a song.

Although there are different types of music, a tempo and a rhythm will forever be similar to one another song for song. Meaning that you may find a Big Band sound that could mix with Reggae; or a Jazz sound that could mix with Country; or a Folk song that could mix with a Disco song. Believe me when I tell you this, if you use your DJ’s ear and mix these types of music together, your name will stand out a lot further than you could imagine!

But only if your mixes are funkier than Grandsinister Ice’s. Yes, that is called a challenge.

So it is highly important for all you up and coming DJs to listen to everything. Yes, I do mean everything. After all if you think about it, a Graff Writer doesn’t paint with just one color. Therefore a DJ shouldn’t play just one sound.

No Bias Allowed.

Beat Diggin’ Documentary care of Gone42 who gives credit to JESPER from BUSYBODY FILMS