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Kittens: Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag
Kittens / Instagram
As a member of A-Trak‘s influential Fool’s Gold family, Los Angeles DJ/producer Kittens stays busy rocking parties around the world. She is also a member of Athletixx, an LA collective that includes Hoodboi, Falcons, and Promnite.
When she’s not DJing or working on music, Kittens hosts a series of non-profit DJ workshops for women (all proceeds donated to local women’s shelters). Her in-depth musical knowledge enables her to engage all kinds of crowds, from exclusive Hollywood hip-hop parties to cutting-edge dance and electronic events. She is currently on tour with RL Grime.
Check out her must-have travel items below.
Backup Bits
“If I’ve learned anything from DJing over the years, it’s that equipment can and will break, no matter how prepared or fancy the venue is. So having simple things to swap out in case of an emergency is helpful. I always have the following: a couple of USBs (some with music and rekordbox loaded, others with the Serato timecode); an RCA to RCA cord (I can’t tell you how many times there’s been some odd sound issue that ended up being a faulty RCA cord); a USB-A male to -B male a.k.a. printer cable a.k.a. the cable that connects the Serato box to your computer (this is one of those cords that you won’t easily find laying around at a club and a very important one to have in perfect working condition. Always carry a backup).”
Handfan
“It gets hot on stages and in booths nine out of 10 times. I like having a little fan for emergency cooldown use and also because it makes me feel like a sassy bitch.”
Mini Deodorant
“Like I said before, it gets hot up there. Stay fresh, everyone.”
Gum and Listerine Strips
“No fan wants to meet you after you play and smell whiskey while you speak.”
Beauty Essentials
“I have a tiny bag within my DJ bag that has hair ties, hair pins, concealer, chapstick, a small hairbrush, face powder, and eyeliner. Sometimes your perfectly made-up face and hair can get messed up during a sweaty, jumping around performance. If you want to make sure you look halfway cute in photos with fans or while you’re hanging out after your set, you gotta be prepared to do a little touch-up.”
Follow Kittens on Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, and Twitter.
Must-Play Tracks for the Weekend: Dec. 15
Kastra / Facebook
The Trap Lord enlists Nicki for the official remix of his Still Striving lead single.
House Of Pain – Jump Around – Kastra Onik Bootleg
The group’s timeless classic gets blended with Bougenvilla’s future house track.
Fedde Le Grand & Ida Corr – Let Me Think About It – Celebration Mix
A rework to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the house anthem.
MC Fioti, Future, J Balvin, Stefflon Don, & Juan Magan – Bum Bum Tam Tam
The Brazilian artist recruits an all-star lineup for an international banger.
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Featured on DJcity earlier this week:
– Post Malone ft. Nicky Jam & Ozuna – rockstar – Latin Remix
DJcity’s weekly picks are selected by Kidd Spin. To receive them via email, click here.
Watch Stormzy’s ‘Blinded By Your Grace Pt. 2’ Video Feat. MNEK
Stormzy dropped “Blinded By Your Grace Pt. 2” all the way back in February, off his number one debut album “Gang Signs & Prayer”. This single has been taking over the radio airwaves across the nation this year.
Now the triple MOBO award winner for Best Male Act, Best Album, and Best Grime act of 2017 drops the official video for “Blinded By Your Grace Pt. 2”. The simple but effect video shows Stormzy is all about embracing the people and the community.
Watch the official video above.
Related: Watch Stormzy’s Special BBC Live Lounge Performance
DJcity’s 50 Most Downloaded Tracks of 2017
Below is DJcity’s annual list of the top 50 most downloaded songs of the year. The chart was determined by subscriber downloads; the tracks are not DJcity’s picks.
Calvin Harris, DJ Khaled, Drake, Migos, and Nicki Minaj led the pack in 2017 with four tracks a piece. Cardi B, Justin Bieber, Future, and Ty Dolla $ign followed with three songs a piece. And for the first time ever, Latin music has made the list (Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito,” J Balvin and Willy Willam’s “Mi Gente,” and Beyonce’s remix of “Mi Gente”).
To receive these updates via email, click here.
- 1. DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – Wild Thoughts
- 2. Calvin Harris ft. Frank Ocean & Migos – Slide
- 3. Ed Sheeran – Shape Of You
- 4. Major Lazer ft. PartyNextDoor & Nicki Minaj – Run Up
- 5. Calvin Harris ft. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, & Big Sean – Feels
- 6. Jason Derulo ft. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign – Swalla
- 7. DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper, & Lil Wayne – I’m The One
- 8. J Balvin & Willy William – Mi Gente
- 9. DJ Khaled ft. Beyonce & JAY Z – Shining
- 10. Post Malone ft. 21 Savage – rockstar
- 11. Drake – Passionfruit
- 12. Kendrick Lamar – Humble.
- 13. Future – Mask Off
- 14. The Chainsmokers & Coldplay – Something Just Like This
- 15. Cardi B – Bodak Yellow
- 16. Drake – Signs
- 17. Zedd & Alessia Cara – Stay
- 18. Calvin Harris ft. Young Thug, Pharrell Williams, & Ariana Grande – Heatstroke
- 19. The Chainsmokers – Paris
- 20. Kendrick Lamar – DNA
- 21. Chris Brown – Questions
- 22. Migos – T-Shirt
- 23. G-Eazy ft. A$AP Rocky & Cardi B – No Limit
- 24. Kid Ink ft. Ty Dolla $ign – F With U
- 25. DJ Khaled & Calvin Harris ft. Travis Scott & Jeremih – Don’t Quit
- 26. Justin Bieber & BloodPop – Friends
- 27. Ed Sheeran ft. Nyla & Kranium – Shape Of You – Major Lazer Remix
- 28. Maroon 5 ft. SZA – What Lovers Do
- 29. N.E.R.D. ft. Rihanna – Lemon
- 30. Sean Paul ft. Migos – Body
- 31. J Balvin & Willy William ft. Beyonce – Mi Gente Remix
- 32. Wizkid ft. Drake – Come Closer
- 33. Ty Dolla $ign ft. YG – Ex
- 34. Future ft. Nicki Minaj – You Da Baddest
- 35. Iggy Azalea – Mo Bounce
- 36. DJ Snake ft. Lauv – A Different Way
- 37. Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber – Despacito Remix
- 38. Zedd & Liam Payne – Get Low
- 39. JAY-Z ft. Damian Marley – Bam
- 40. Faith Evans & The Notorious B.I.G ft. Snoop Dogg – When We Party
- 41. Drake ft. Quavo & Travis Scott – Portland
- 42. Sean Paul – Volcano
- 43. Jason Derulo ft. French Montana – Tip Toe
- 44. Trey Songz – 1×1
- 45. Major Lazer ft. DJ Maphorisa, Nasty C, Ice Prince, Patoranking, & Jidenna – Particula
- 46. Migos, Nicki Minaj, & Cardi B – Motor Sport
- 47. Usher ft. Young Thug – Girls Wanna Have Fun
- 48. Chris Brown ft. Yo Gotti, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, & Kodak Black – Pills And Automobiles
- 49. Maroon 5 ft. Future – Cold
- 50. Kygo & Selena Gomez – It Ain’t Me
Pioneer DJ DDJ-XP1 Review
In September, Pioneer DJ announced the DDJ-XP1 controller, the “spiritual successor” the company’s beloved DDJ-SP1.
The DDJ-XP1 is similar to the SP1 but differs in key two ways. Firstly, it has colored pads, unlike the DDJ-SP1’s monochromatic blue pads. And secondly, and most importantly, the DDJ-XP1 only works with rekordbox dj.
As a MIDI controller, the DDJ-XP1 can connect with any software that supports MIDI mapping, such as Serato DJ. However, if you want the DDJ-SP1’s native functionality, you’ll need to use it with rekordbox dj.
Watch Mojaxx‘s full review of DDJ-XP1 on this week’s Tips and Tricks.
Related: Pioneer DJ DJM-S3 Mixer Walkthrough
Mixtape Release: IYKZ – ‘Kings Crescent on Queens Drive’
IYKZ is a London born artist who began making music at the tender age of 14 as a garage MC. In 2010, he received rare reviews for his SB.TV Warm Up Session. A clip of his performance was later chosen by SB.TV founder and entrepreneur Jamal Edwards MBE, to feature in their Google Chrome advertising campaign, which aired on TV in 2012.
In 2017, IYKZ released the afrobeat influenced single “They Know” featuring Maleek Berry, which now has over 300,000 streams on Spotify and received support from BBC 1Xtra’s DJ Target. Now he is back with his brand new mixtape “Kings Crescent On Queens Drive”.
Download the lead single from IYKZ’ mixtape “B-NO!” on DJcity UK and check out the rest of the mixtape HERE.
Listen to Rafik’s DJcity Podcast Mix
German DJ/producer Rafik is a former DMC World champion. He’s released music on Fool’s Gold Records and hosts the Royal Family party at Prince Charles in Berlin. Stream or download his DJcity Podcast mix below.
Download on iTunes HERE
Tracklist:
01. The Art Of Noise – Moments In Love
02. Lil Uzi Vert – 444+222 – Tony Arzadon Remix
03. Kendrick Lamar – Humble. – Skrillex Remix
04. Wuki – DADADADA
05. Dabow & Ruxell – Namaste
06. Future & Young Thug ft. Offset – Patek Water
07. Drunken Masters – On My Own
08. Diplo ft. MO – Get It Right
09. Crime Mob – Knuck If You Buck
10. 2 Cents – Straight To The Point
11. Karol Tip – Drift
12. Karol Tip – Drift – Eskei83 Remix
13. 21 Savage – Hunnid On The Drop – Mr. Carmack Remix
14. Big Sean & Metro Boomin ft. 21 Savage – Pull Up N Wreck
15. Brasstracks – Those Who Know
16. Dua Lipa – New Rules – Alison Wonderland Remix
17. Carnage – WDYW – FS Green Remix
18. Waka Flocka Flame – Oh Let’s Bodak
19. Cardi B – Bodak Yellow – Dean Remix
20. Austin Marc – Gasolina
21. Dizzee Rascal – Sick A Dis
22. Famous Dex ft. A$AP Rocky – Pick It Up
23. Rich The Kid ft. Kendrick Lamar – New Freezer
24. Rich Chigga – Glow Like Dat
Watch Mr Switch Perform on Pioneer’s DJsounds Show
Mr Switch, a four-time DMC World champion, recently stopped by Pioneer DJ’s DJsounds Show to perform an eclectic mix.
The UK native’s set featured a variety of genres, including hip-hop, trap, electro swing, funk-influenced tracks, and more. He performed with two limited gold PLX-1000-N turntables and a DJM-S9-N mixer.
In 2011, Switch became the first DJ to perform on the BBC Proms, an annual classical music festival held at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Watch him above on DJsounds.
Watch Krept & Konan’s ‘Get A Stack’ Video Feat. J Hus
London’s Krept & Konan have dropped their video to “Get A Stack” featuring J Hus. The single comes off their two new mixtapes, “7 Days” and “7 Nights”.
“Get A Stack” was DJcity UK’s 2nd most downloaded track of November.
Watch the official video above and download the single on DJcity UK.
Related: Watch J Hus’ ‘Bouff Daddy’ Video
Classic DJ Gear: Vestax PMC-07 Pro
Introducing Classic DJ Gear, a new series from DJcityTV hosted by Houston’s Mister Remix.
The first episode features the Vestax PMC-07 Pro, or as Remix calls it, “the original king of the two-channel scratch mixer scene.”
Released in the ’90s, the PMC-07 Pro was Vestax’s first two-channel battle mixer. It became a standard for hip-hop DJs and turntablists around the world.
Remix looks at the pros and cons of the PMC-07 Pro, along with how to modify it, where to buy it, and how much to pay for it.
Watch above and stay tuned for more episodes of Classic DJ Gear.
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