Are DJs confined to a genre?

[BitMaestro]

I enjoy listening to alot of stuff, even microtonal and atonal music when i'm feeling right.

Now what i listen to won't always be what I'll want to play, after all, i still need to learn basics (and get gear!), but out of curiosity, once you gig and get a mix with a certain genre, do people expect you to just play that line of stuff?

Skream comes to mind as example, breaking away from a genre and that.

My Question: Is it possible to be known as a versatile DJ, or is the industry rigid with wanting genre-tailored DJs?

I wouldn't mind scratching over hip hop/glitch hop/trap(i'm sure i'll find more that'd be cool to try)

and mixing over dub/trap/2 step/moombah/house/deep house/dnb/chillout/hip/glitch hop, but we'll see how I go when I get my hand on more wax.

[wrxfiend]

I think there is much to be said for having multiple skill sets, now i was strictly hip hop for over ten years, sure i listen to a wide range of music, was right into metal was i was younger and playing heaps of guitar, but i only ever mixed hip hop.

Now Oxykon (one of the nicest lads on the forum) can mix just about anything i reckon, And has opened my mind up to try new things, drum and bass is what jm messing with at the moment.

I also have been doing some scratching over glitch, d&b and other stuff, it really helps learn new techniques practising at diff bpms.

As far as playing gigs, i'd say if you are competent it shouldn't matter, a friend of mine in perth is getting heaps of gigs doing hip hop, dubstep and d&b.

Ive hardly played any proper gigs, just parties and mates weddings, i am more interested at being happy with my own acomplishments. If someday the right person hears my stuff and says "shower him with money and gigs" than i will gladly become big time! Lol

[AlexJ]

i think when you hit #bigtime status you are expected to conform to a particular 'sound' that you have created/modified/customised to suit your ear.

not saying you wont get the opportunity to play other stuff its just when people rock up to your shows (say your a trap producer) expecting you to play some dirty trap that you are known for, alot of people mightnt appreciate when you play some crazy trance or chill dnb set.

while alot of people go to events nowadays to say the have 'seen' a particular musician. there are still many who dont like change, they will attend to hear you play that trap, and in all fairness if you produce/are known for that, thats what you should do (at least in part) as they are your fans and they'll certainly appreciate.

when all of this is said tho, the true fans will appreciate your musical fans no matter what you play. when you can rock up to a gig and be so in tune with the crowd that you can play anything and they will vibe it, then you know you have hit that sweet spot.

[LabRat]

I think it helps to have versatility but it's not essential. If you wanna be booked as an all round DJ it helps to be able to mix from rnb to electro with everything in between. My personal road has had many twists and turns with genres and over the years I've filtered my way through to where I am now.

Versatility is definitely a good thing though! Try different genres and see how you go

[Kodiak]

Was going yo say the same as AlexJ. Unless you are #bigtime nobody will notice or care. I reckon when this becomes a major or primary source of income then this is where you should develop a niche. Then once you are big enough you can then change and take the opportunity to lead trends. A good example of this to me is the change in Deadmau5' productions or even Avicii with his western influenced music.

[Cupe]

Moving this to DJ HQ as it's a good general topic of discussion.

[eggssell]

burstaball you can def listen to stuff you will never play.

i listen to just about every genre except maybe country. in fact id almost say 95% of stuff i listen too i will never mix or have not even considered mixing. i listen to a truckload of music in a month though.

i like people who mix shit up. thats why ztrip is one of my faves. he goes all over the shop in a single mix.

and you can always move in your career. craze went from being the most winningest DMC turntablist; to one of the much sought after dnb dj's back in the late 90's; smashed it with his old school, boom bap, hip pop fabric mix; then producing disco, dubstep and trap records within a span of 18 months.

[yizzle]

i listen to just about every genre except maybe country. in fact id almost say 95% of stuff i listen too i will never mix or have not even considered mixing.

This, except county kicks ass

[AlexJ]

This, except county kicks ass

[JaymzPhoenix]

No they aren't. Its just stupid seeing them follow the money instead of producing good music what ever genre they pick.