News
Watch Rob Swift’s Routine for Hot 97’s ‘5 Minutes of Funk’
Legendary turntablist DJ Rob Swift is the latest guest to be featured on Funkmaster Flex’s “5 Minutes of Funk” segment for Hot 97.
The former X-Ecutioners member threw down an extended scratch-heavy set, using original vinyl records for part of it.
Swift currently serves as a music consultant and scene choreographer for VH1’s drama series, The Breaks. He’s also a DJ instructor at The New School for Liberal Arts in New York City.
Watch the video above.
Related: Watch Just Blaze’s Routine for Hot 97’s ‘5 Minutes of Funk’
The Art of DJing, According to Dance Pioneers
Roger Sanchez (photo source: Facebook)
A new documentary from UK label Toolroom Records has put a spotlight on the art and evolution of DJing from the perspective of dance music pioneers.
The video features commentary from legends Andy C, Roger Sanchez, Danny Tenaglia, and Toolroom founder, Mark Knight. It also includes DJ Mag’s editor, Carl Loben.
The documentary opens with Roger Sanchez discussing what it means to be a DJ.
“DJing isn’t just about, you know, ‘I wanna see hands up in the air all night.’ It’s about creating a journey; it’s about telling a story, it’s about musically moving people from one vibe to another.”
Mark Knight adds, “Some of the guys that really influenced me back in the day were guys like CJ Mackintosh, Masters at Work, Tony Humphries. They really had the ability to go into a room, evaluate the mood and the vibe of the room, engage with people, and really manipulate the energy and the steer of the night and that really resonated and stuck with me.”
The DJs also discuss how the art has changed over the years.
“A lot of the new DJs are producers,” Andy C says. “They make tunes and so they have to go out and play them [sic] tunes. I come from an era where I went out to buy records and would camp out in the record store every day.”
Sanchez points out that the dance scene, like hip-hop, had an open-format beginning.
“There was so many different types of music that would just fall under what you’d play in a club. It’d be everything from soul, funk, disco, jazz, as long as it worked on the floor, we used to put it in the mix.”
The transition from “marathon sets” to shorter headline performances was another significant change in the scene, according to the DJs. It’s a recurring topic throughout the documentary.
“…you’re obligated when you’re booked as a headline act [nowadays] to go in and give people what they want,” Knight says. “But I really feel that the art of DJing, in its purest form, is much more than that, is much more than being a jukebox. It’s an expression of what you’re about musically, especially if you make music and you’re a producer. It’s the opportunity to go into a room and say to people, ‘This is what I’m about, from here to here.’ And that is very hard to do in within two hours…”
Watch the full documentary below.
Related: Grandmaster Flash: Technology Is a Gift and a Curse
Mayeda Covers Calvin Harris’ ‘Slide’
DJcity’s Mayeda has covered Calvin Harris‘ groovy single “Slide” featuring Frank Ocean and Migos. The track, which peaked at No. 1 on DJcity, is currently 45 on Billboard’s Hot 100. The video showcases both Mayeda’s keyboard and turntablism skills.
Watch above and download “Slide” on DJcity.
Not3s’ Interview With DJ Dubl
London’s DJ Dubl is back, this time sitting down with the artist behind the hit record “Addison Lee”.
They talk about Not3s’ early stage names, why he chose to sign to a label, choosing music over University, being compared to J Hus and much more. Watch the interview above.
Related: Shakka Interview With DJ Dubl
Listen to James Bluck’s DJcity Podcast Mix
Open format DJ and house producer hailing from London, James Bluck drops his debut DJcity podcast. His most recognised remixes are featured on DJcity UK. Stream or download his house heavy mix below, which includes some of his own work.
Follow James Bluck on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Download on iTunes HERE
Tracklist:
01. TCTS ft. Sage The Gemini & Kelis – Do It Like Me (Icy Feet)
02. Ashanti – Rock Wit U (Awww Baby) – James Bluck Remix
03. Dom Dolla & Go Freek – Define
04. Sammy Porter – A Bit Patchy
05. Jack Wins – I Used To Love You
06. Wideboys ft. Dennis G – Sambuca – Freejak Finder Edit
07. G.U.R.U. & Blinkie – B’donk – Joe Reece Acap Intro
08. Kideko & George Kwali Vs. ID – Crank It Up – James Bluck Mash-Up
09. Stardust – Music Sounds Better With You – Est1987 Remix
10. Bizarre Inc. – Playing With Knives – Paul Morrell Remix
11. Ummet Ozcan ft. Ambush – Bombjack – DJ Primetyme Club Edit
Listen to Funktastix’s DJcity Podcast Mix
Funktastix are one of the most exciting DJ prospects in the country. With regular sets at Roxy in Antwerp, Carré and Marquee in Brussels, they are truly making a statement. They’ve also got some cool festival gigs lined up this summer. Stream or download Funtastix’s edition of the DJcity Podcast below.
Follow Funktastix on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Download on iTunes HERE
Tracklist:
01. DJ Licious – I Hear You Calling
02. Martin Solveig – Places
03. Funktastix ft. Robin De la Rue – I Wanna Be Down
04. Mr. Belt & Wezol – Boogie Wonderland
05. The Weeknd – I Feel It Coming – Nathan C Remix
06. Funktastix ft. Jim Cole – Make It Happen
07. Neiked – Sexual – Them Next Door Remix
08. Zonderling – Tunnel Vision – Don Diablo Extended Edit
09. Throttle – Hit The Road Jack
10. Martin Garrix ft. Dua Lipa – Scared To Be Lonely – Beau Collins Remix
11. The Chainsmokers & Coldplay – Something Just Like This – Kahikko RemiX
Watch Wizkid’s ‘Come Closer’ Video Feat. Drake
Wizkid has dropped a video for his dancehall-influenced single “Come Closer” featuring Drake. The two previously collaborated on the 2016 hit, “One Dance.”
The track, which is currently number one on DJcity’s Hot Box chart, is the lead single off Wiz’s forthcoming debut album, Sounds From the Other Side.
Though Drake does not appear in the video, he offered his congratulations on Instagram.
Watch the video above and download the track on DJcity.
Related: Watch Travis Scott’s ‘Goosebumps’ Video Featuring Kendrick Lamar
Watch Live Evil Perform ‘Bang That’ at Serato
Vancouver duo Live Evil (Kutcorners and DJ Marvel) have made a name for themselves with their remixes and live performances. Their sets feature impressive combinations of finger drumming, scratching, sample triggering, and other techniques.
Now, Live Evil has put their skills on display in an three-minute routine for DJcityTV. The video, which was filmed at Serato‘s Los Angeles studio, shows them performing an original track called “Bang That.” Viewers can also learn how to perform the routine with six free lessons from music education app, Melodics.
Watch above and download the lessons here (use promo code BANG-THAT).
Must-Play Tracks for the Weekend: Apr. 7
Chris Villa at Zuma in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo credit: Jacob Tyler Dunn)
A minimal, house rework of the group’s 2009 single.
Chris Brown ft. Gucci Mane & Usher – Party – Chris Villa Hype Edit
Breezy’s single gets blended with Waka Flocka Flame’s “Grove St. Party.”
Dillon Francis ft. G-Eazy – Say Less
The first release on Dillon’s new label, IDGAFOS.
Usher ft. Young Jeezy – Love In This Club – Tall Boys Journey Bootleg
Usher and Jeezy’s 2008 hit gets blended with Leat’eq’s future bass heater.
####
DJcity’s weekly picks are selected by Kidd Spin. To receive them via email, click here.
Pharrell’s Signature Four-Count Intro
You may have noticed that many of Pharrell Williams‘ productions begin the same way. That’s because he has a signature four-count intro that he’s used throughout his career.
The technique loops the first beat of the song four times. The track then begins after the fourth count.
In honor of his 44th birthday, Genius has put together a video that highlights a few of his most famous productions that use the technique. It includes songs you may not have known that he produced, such as Frank Ocean’s “Sweet Life” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright.”
Check out the examples above.
Related: Pharrell Talks Politics and Music Business on ‘The Breakfast Club’
Popular
-
September 30, 2019
DJ Ned Delivers ‘DJcity Podcast’ Mix
DJ Ned was born in Kenya and is based in Bratislava, Slovakia. He plays at many of the city's top clubs, and recently performed at the Uprising Festival, o...
-
October 8, 2018
Watch: Lotto Boyzz Interview With DJ Dubl
London's DJ Dubl sits down with Birmingham's Lotto Boyzz (Ash & Lucas) again, this time to promote their new single "Did It Again" produced by ADP. The...
-
January 7, 2023
Listen to Big Nash’s DJcity Podcast Mix
Big Nash is an open-format DJ and turntablist from Olbia, Sardinia in Italy. He's performed at some of the best clubs of Costa Smeralda and is a resident D...
-
October 7, 2019
DJcity Launches Desktop App for Batch Downloads
DJcity has launched a new desktop application to enhance the functionality of the Crate feature, which enables batch downloads. Key features: - Ability to...
-
July 16, 2021
DJ Yanez Delivers ‘DJcity Podcast’ Mix
DJ Yanez is from Palermo, Italy. He's the official DJ for the Italian reggae group, Shakalab. Yanez has performed at clubs in countries like Egypt, Germany...
-
June 24, 2018
Listen to CLEAN P’s DJcity Podcast Mix
Clean P is a hip-hop DJ from Paris. He has played in clubs such as Wanderlust, La Machine du Moulin Rouge, and YOYO. He has also appeared on radio stations...
-
March 19, 2018
Watch: The Fanatix Interview With DJ Dubl
2 thirds of the producer trio, The Fanatix joined London's DJ Dubl for his latest interview. They are one of the most exciting producers in the UK at this...
-
October 23, 2020
DJ Dam1 Delivers ‘DJcity Podcast’ Mix
DJ Dam1 is based out of Malmö, Sweden. He specializes in Afrobeats, dancehall, hip-hop, and R&B. Dam1 is the resident DJ at club Babel and has performe...
-
July 26, 2021
Listen to DJ Lady S’ DJcity Podcast Mix
DJ Lady S was born in Belgium and is currently based in New York. She has evolved musically from her love of hip-hop and RnB to house, afrohouse, techno, a...
-
February 24, 2019
Listen to DJ Jim’s DJcity Podcast Mix
DJ Jim is from Paris and is the founder of the Hello Panam parties. He has played at clubs like Djoon (Paris), Wanderlust (Paris), La Machine du Moulin Rou...