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January

02.09.06

Welcome back, Faithful readers! ’06 has started off nicely so far. Star64 is really picking up and more projects are on the horizon . . . Personally, I have been working on a ton of music-related tasks which will hopefully come to fruition soon. But, it means I haven’t gotten to spend time with my favorite little man, Jalen. Although, he did come over to “watch that computer” (educational games, but don’t tell him) . . .

Happy Birthday to all my February heads. The countdown to the Annual Birfday Bash has begun – we’re just over two months away!! Keep your calendars flexible for April . . .

- The CrossVader

(What up, Chris!)

"The State Of The DJ 2006"

My fellow beat-lovers, the State Of The DJ is STRONG!

I am thankful once again to be able to deliver the annual State Of The DJ this year. 2005 was a tumultuous year, but with the help of The Faithful, The DJ persevered.

We have made many great strides over the past year in certain areas and have much work to be done in others. Last year’s Reggaeton initiative continues to be a major success that will mark this administration’s time in office. Our fastest growing minority continues to debate the terminology Hispanic vs. Latino, but seems to have found common ground in this unifying sound. No longer are folks feeling that music belonging to them is being left out of parties. We will continue to unite through reggaeton.

In the arena of technology, we have invested in labor-saving devices which will be cost-effective in the long term and health-saving in the immediate. Our plan, SSL 1.4 (Serato Scratch Live), reduces the amount of equipment carried by 80%! Armed only with a small stash of emergency records, a G4, and the accompanying gear, The DJ is still able to make parties move all the while manipulating a much larger musical library. The effects have been felt around the globe and the party scene will never be the same.

Even with these successes, many areas still call out for our attention. As a nation, we are faced with the serious problem of professional DJ’s losing work to a labor supply with less training, less ability, and the nonchalance to grossly undercut the field: friends, family members, and celebrities who love music, but have no understanding of how to play it. In short: outsourcing. Faithful, it is crucial that we keep our professionals employed first. As party-goers, we must have our music-sensors up and demand a top-notch product. Our classrooms are not taught by people who have not reached a certain level in their fields. Our dance floors must be treated the same way.

This year, we must also do our part to reverse global warming. New York City has seen more 60 degree days this winter than snow days. In fact, the largest snowstorm to ever hit the city was all but melted away two days later. This is because heat levels have risen steadily since I took office – and, I take responsibility for this administration’s role in this progression. It is obvious that parties are getting too hot too quickly. Energy levels are hitting all-time highs early in the evenings. The energy is positive, but we must combat it with milder energy. The solution is to add more lounge events to the roster, which I am glad to announce we will be doing immediately.

And finally, last year we attempted to address the problem with requests in parties by backing a proposal that made it to the (dance) floor. It is clear now that a more aggressive strategy is needed. So, we are scrapping that plan this year to launch our most ambitious proposal to date: Rules of Requests. This will be a full-scale campaign requiring the support of music procurers from all corners of this rounded Earth. It is our hope that by 2008, request-seeking party-goers will have a better understanding of the role of the request in a party: what to consider, when to ask, how to ask, and why your request may not be fulfilled. So, try to understand the look you will receive if you are listening to an old school set and ask the DJ for “that new Chris Brown song.” And, brace for whatever comes your way if you request a song, it gets played, and you come running up after the first verse and say, "I was in the bathroom! You have to play it again!" Last I checked, the DJ is not a 6'2" iPod - and you are NOT the only person in the party . . . With this plan in place, DJ’s will be given the space needed to create; and revelers will better appreciate what is being played, instead of focusing on what isn’t.

Faithful, let’s continue working on what we have started. Bring your birthdays down, enjoy yourselves, and dance like everyone is watching – but won’t judge you.

Thank you, and may God bless The DJ.