DJ
Plays the records
A DJ is a disc jockey—someone who selects and plays recorded music for an audience.
Originally radio personalities introducing songs, DJs now commonly work at clubs, parties, and events, often mixing tracks live: The DJ kept the dance floor packed all night.
In hip-hop, DJs developed techniques like scratching and beat-matching into an art form.
As a verb, to DJ is to perform this role: She DJs at weddings on weekends.
Rotating music player
- mixerCombines ingredients or people
- headphonesWearable speakers for ears
- controllerDevice directing a system
- decksShip platforms or cards
vinyl · sampler · speakers · monitors · crossfader · slipmat · cartridge · stylus
Raking with nails
- beatmatchingAligning tracks' tempos
- crossfadeGradual audio overlap transition
- cueingSignaling when to start
- mixingCombining into one mass
blending · sampling · looping · juggling · chopping · fading · filtering · EQ
Organization with membership
- dancefloorSurface for rhythmic movement
- raveEnthusiastic praise or nightlong dance
- festivalOrganized public celebration
- partyGathering for celebration
venue · gig · set · residency · crowd · vibes · drop · banger
Beat-driven club genre
- houseResidential building
- technoElectronic dance genre
- tranceSemiconscious, unresponsive condition
- dubstepBass-heavy electronic dance music
hardstyle · breakbeat · minimal · acid · bassline · synthpop · glitch · electro
Influential turntablist from hip-hop's birth
- Deadmau5Canadian electronic music producer
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- mainstreamDominant cultural current
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
selector · soundsystem · reggae · hip-hop · battle · cypher · scene · crew
turntable
Rotating music player
- mixerCombines ingredients or people
- headphonesWearable speakers for ears
- controllerDevice directing a system
decks · vinyl · sampler · speakers · monitors · crossfader · slipmat · cartridge · stylus · booth
scratching
Raking with nails
- beatmatchingAligning tracks' tempos
- crossfadeGradual audio overlap transition
- cueingSignaling when to start
mixing · blending · sampling · looping · juggling · chopping · fading · filtering · EQ · transition
club
Organization with membership
- dancefloorSurface for rhythmic movement
- raveEnthusiastic praise or nightlong dance
- festivalOrganized public celebration
party · venue · gig · set · residency · crowd · vibes · drop · banger · encore
EDM
Beat-driven club genre
dubstep · hardstyle · breakbeat · minimal · acid · bassline · synthpop · glitch · electro · garage
Grandmaster Flash
Influential turntablist from hip-hop's birth
- Deadmau5Canadian electronic music producer
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
- mainstreamDominant cultural current
pioneer · selector · soundsystem · reggae · hip-hop · battle · cypher · scene · crew
broadcast
Transmitted media signal
airplay · station · show · program · listener · request · dedication · jingle · announcement · syndication
- celebritiesmovie stars, A-lister, pop stars, superstar, celebrity
- entertainerssingers, actor, dancers, actress, musicians
- musicmusic, song, songs, singing, singer
- celebrationcelebration, celebrate, party, festive, festivity
- Hip-Hoprapper, rappers, rhymes, beat, lyrics
- wedding planningwedding planner, guest list, invitations, wedding cake, bridal gown
Musicians performing in person
orchestra · instrumentalist · symphony orchestra · chamber ensemble · rock band
DJcomposer
Creator of musical works
songwriter · music producer · recording artist · musician · session musician
Television interview program presenter
news anchor · listener · radio journalist · podcast host · interviewer