DJ

The term "disc jockey" was coined in 1943 by radio commentator Walter Winchell to describe radio host Martin Block, who played records on his program Make Believe Ballroom.¹ Early DJs were primarily radio personalities who introduced records, but by the 1950s, mobile DJs began playing at parties and dances. In the 1970s, DJs in New York City, such as Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and Afrika Bambaataa, pioneered techniques like beatmatching, scratching, and looping, laying the foundation for hip-hop and electronic dance music.²

DJs use a variety of equipment to mix music. Traditional setups include turntables and vinyl records, while modern DJs often use CDJs, digital controllers, and software like Serato or Traktor. Key techniques include beatmatching (aligning tempos), phrasing (matching musical phrases), and scratching (manipulating a record to produce rhythmic sounds). The introduction of digital vinyl systems (DVS) in the late 1990s allowed DJs to control digital audio files with turntables, bridging the gap between analog and digital.

DJing is central to many music genres, including house, techno, hip-hop, and reggae. In Jamaica, sound system culture influenced the development of dub and dancehall, where DJs (known as selectors) play records and toast over them. In the 1980s, Chicago house and Detroit techno emerged from DJ-led club scenes.³ Today, DJs perform at festivals like Tomorrowland and Ultra, and some have become international celebrities, such as Calvin Harris and Tiësto.

Beyond mainstream club DJing, there are niche practices: radio DJs curate playlists for broadcast, while mobile DJs entertain at weddings and corporate events. The term "DJ" also applies to turntablists who focus on virtuosic scratching, like the Invisibl Skratch Piklz. In the 1960s, DJs in Northern England's "Northern Soul" scene played rare American soul records, creating a cult following. Additionally, the world's largest DJ competition, the DMC World DJ Championships, has been held since 1985, showcasing technical skills.

DJs have transformed music consumption and performance, influencing how audiences experience recorded music. They are credited with popularizing remixing and mashups, and their role as curators has shaped musical tastes. The rise of streaming and digital platforms has democratized DJing, allowing anyone with a laptop to mix. However, the craft remains rooted in the art of reading a crowd and creating a shared musical journey.⁴

Beatmatching

The technique of aligning the tempos of two tracks so they play in sync.

Scratching

A technique of moving a vinyl record back and forth on a turntable to produce percussive sounds.

Turntablist

A DJ who specializes in using turntables as musical instruments, often performing complex scratching and juggling.