The DJ Responsibility of the Music and the Mic

The future of Chicago-style steppin’ may be all in the hands of our deejays – the masters of the music. In ten years, our community should land where the music takes us. That was an important message I took away from Reggie Miles’ interview. Today I want to pay homage to stepping DJs who have taken on this responsibility.

Who is this? My brother, Sean “DJ James Bond” Stewart, a South Florida deejay in the business for 25+ years now. Years ago in a few Florida cities, I was his right hand giving out flyers, collecting money at the door, toting smaller crates of 45’s or LPs, or running back and forth with refreshments for him as he played. Consequently, my time on sets with my brother made me realize his work, and from a bird’s eye view, being a deejay is hard work. That’s why it is so important to me to greet the deejay and show love at most stepper sets if I can touch him or her.

Stepping DJs Setting the Atmosphere

I see a deejay’s job as setting the tone for the set. To create an atmosphere where steppers feel comfortable and can have a good time. Jamaicans say everything should be “IRIE.” In different ways, I see that some DJs do a little extra to create a friendly atmosphere for steppers.

3 Ways DJs Set the Tone

• Firstly, as an out of towner, it feels good to be remembered. When the DJ in Chicago greets me and announces my arrival on the mic, I love it. I respect Sam Chatman. Every time, he hails me on the mic when I am in Chicago. My local Virginia Beach DJ Art of Noyze (R.I.P. ) was known for this as well.
• Secondly, this year, on an early night I was at the Blue Note. As music played and others stepped, I sat at the bar for a long time not dancing. I didn’t know anyone. Myron asked me to dance. After our two songs, all these men I did not know asked me to dance. I did not sit down for the rest of the night. “I didn’t know who you were or that you knew how to step,” some said. That is a Blue Note memory. When a DJ steps from behind the music to make sure I get dances, he has gone the extra mile.
• Lastly, I love when the DJ gives you a little of everything and plays for the crowd – not himself. He uses all five senses to manage the temperature of the room. The DJ builds the groove, rests the men or lightens the mood. Black Cool takes me many places with music. He satisfies me with my favorite old school and new school. Then he plays something I don’t hear often or never heard ever before – not a remix of an old song. Black Cool and Sampsonite play to create that experience every time.

“There is more good music behind you than there is in front of you”.

Reggie Miles.

The DJ Who Keeps Control of the Mic

When the wrong thing is said on the mic that can change my mood – my groove. I’ve been on sets and heard the DJ ridicule and tease people in the crowd calling them fat in the spirit of entertainment. Or, the DJ is obviously irritable because of something happening personally with the promoter or someone else and makes a public statement about it on the mic. I have witnessed tragic moments when a DJ forgets their responsibility for the mic.

The Power of The DJ’s Smile

When a DJ smiles every time you see them through all situations and has control of what is happening on the mic, I am happy to see them. They are wise not to let personal biases spoil any moment on the scene. It is a big part of doing their job well. I think this is the hardest part of every DJ’s job – putting everybody else’s feelings first. Kudos to the DJs that I see doing it all with a class like DJ Sizzle.

The deejays I mention come to mind because of the consistency in what they do and how they behave. When I see their name on the flyer I am trying to make a plan to be where they are. Thank you to all the DJs who have picked up the responsibility for our music in the Chicago steppin’ community. They love to make us dance and drive the culture. Stay steady.