INSPIRATION: DO YOU KNOW A STEPPIN DJ THAT STEPS IGNITES OH SO SMOOTH RADIO DJ BATTLE
I have heard many opinions lately from the stepping community about the music and the DJs. Who is playing the right music? Have we put Chicago DJs on a pedestal? All the DJs are playing the same music. Which DJs are taking the time to research and find new music? Who is willing to take a chance and play new songs on the set to introduce new music? Sonji, why are you posting our new music on Facebook for every DJ to take our new songs? It will be overplayed, and folks will be tired of even the new songs within months.
Sometimes, I wonder how the DJs deal with all the criticism and if they adjust to address our complaints. One thing is for sure. We love our music or would not have much to say about it. How do we motivate our DJs and give them positive feedback to keep us happy and playing for steppers? When I asked the question in the livingthe8count group to name DJs that step, DJ Shorty Smooth realized new DJs that many steppers do not know. It was time for another Oh So Smooth Radio DJ Battle.
A Battle With A Positive Message
Today, Mykel “DJ Shorty Smooth” Farr’s Battle of the DJs starts on Facebook at 7 p.m. EST. Shorty Smooth launched this idea to provide excitement and entertainment for the listening audience. The goal and atmosphere for the DJ Battle is not about bringing negativity, but instead, it brings positive reactions.“
The Battle of the DJs allows DJs who don’t have the chance the opportunities to showcase their skills. Iron sharpens iron. When I first started as a DJ, articles openly criticized us. He made it to the number one spot on Terrance Pratt’s Pound for Pound Top 10 DJ List where Terrance ranked DJs and explained the rankings publicly. A lot of DJs don’t have the opportunity to give feedback. Today, a new DJ might have a chance at the set, but no one will go up and talk to them about their performance. All the crowd will do is say, “I ain’t coming back. I did not enjoy the music.”
DJ Shorty Smooth
Shorty Smooth realized that the feedback in those conversations doesn’t ever get a chance to get back to the DJ. He believes and knows that it is important to have an opportunity to hear your listeners’ reactions to grow as a DJ. The fan base, friends, and family show love, but not always the kind of love that motivates the DJ to improve. “I believe in you” are great words to hear, but does someone say, “You’re gonna have to tighten up in that area?” The DJ Battle allows the DJs to see if another DJ gets more positive reactions and how the judges scored them.
About the Contest
The DJs in the DJ Battle
11 DJs jumped into the contest to submit a 20-minute mix to compete.
- Purpose
- Marty B
- Gnice
- Ebony D
- L Boogie (Lendy)
- HarvDawg
- Joel
- L Boogie (Lance)
- Big Woo
- Tony D
- Boagart
Three Preliminary Rounds
There will be three rounds to the contest for three judges and the public to score. If you haven’t joined the event on Facebook, please join to participate. There are three preliminary rounds: October 3, October 10, and October 17 at 7 p.m. EST. In the preliminary rounds, you will hear the 20-minute mixes from each DJ, but it will be anonymous, so the audience will react to the mix by DJ number 1, 2, 3, etc., and not by the DJ’s name.
Judging and Scoring
Reactions = Points
The audience can react to a DJ’s mix by posting a heart =10 points, a thumb = 5 points, and a cherry emoji = nice try. You can also engage and comment with memes and gifs.
Three judges will also be scoring each mix. The judges have been in the industry for a long time and will include a mixologist, consumer, and dancer. The final scores will combine the judges’ and audience’s reaction scores for each DJ’s mix.
The Final Score and The Prize
In the final round, the top three scoring DJs compete again with new mixes for the prize. The prize for this DJ battle is a weekly mix show on Ohsosmoothradio.com. A regular internet radio show allows a DJ to broaden their base and connect with an international audience.
Let’s join the fun, share our opinions, and keep it positive. Everyone can participate. The DJ Battle is On!
Previous Winners
- DJ D Real “King of the Hill” Thursday night steppers mix show.
- DJ Black Cool – 10+ years ago and had a show on OhSoSmoothRadio.com
