Tag Archives: video pool remixes

Why didn’t we think of this?

For years DJ’s have taken the back seat to face of the performance. In hip hop videos and shows its the MC that gets the bulk of the attention when its the DJ that produces the beat and lays the track. At the club alcohol and attractive members of the opposite sex can consume all of the attention but more recently EDM music has birthed a sort of DJ revolution making them the prime ticket. With music videos moving to an online form and channels like MTV and BET showing less and less videos the art of the music is becoming more prominent. So the natural progression would be that these DJ’s that VJ would be the talent on what would be an all video mix online station.

Well the future is now, VJstream.tv has brought that to us. It houses live mixes and the most popular mixes to date. The site itself is in its beta stage, so sign up and try it out. Promoting an online channel like this can only be positive.

http://www.vjstream.tv

VJStream.tv   Upcoming Events   VJStream   Live video streaming for DJs   VJs        VJStream.tv   Replays   VJStream   Live video streaming for DJs   VJs

 

 

Top 10 DJ characters from movies part 2:

Here is the final part of the official VJstreet top 10 DJ characters form movies. Its great to see DJ’s becoming a little more prevalent on the silver screen, so its only natural we give the the respect that is due.

5. Otis/ Stab Master Arson – CB4 – Dezzer D

CB4 was realeased at a time when hip hop was still young but flourishing. Gansta rap was the most popular genre at the time and the credibility of a rap act was everything at this point. CB4 poked fun at just about every style of rap and the frauds that performed it. Deezer D gets the nod for being the first to light this turntables on fire.

4. Jam Master Jay – Krush Groove

Def Jam was one of the first hip hop only labels to have early success. Russell Simmons had the luxury of being related to one of the members of RUN-DMC.  Although he did not do a whole bunch of acting in the movie his car wash scene is priceless.

 

3. Frankie Wilde – It’s all gone Peter Tong – Paule Kaye

It’s all gone Peter Tong is an inspirational movie. A story about a drug abusing DJ that loses his hearing with no way to ever regain it is one that has to be heard. Its a lot like get rich or die trying or 8 mile in the sense that it is a documentary as well as an entertaining movie about success in the movie industry. If you have not seen this movie do your self a favor and watch it.

2. Q – Juice – Omar Epps

Not only was this movie about hip hop culture in the mecca of New York city, it has some of the best actors portraying the roles. Tupac was amazing as Bishop and Omar Epps was even better as Q. The soundtrack was incredible and the DJ battle scenes gave the rest of America a look at the talent they showcased.

1. Kenny “Double K” Kirkland – Beat Street – Guy Davis

Double K is probably the most inspirational DJ roles ever portrayed in a movie. Many working DJ’s have credited the scene where he is making a mix with common sounds like water dripping as what made them want to be a DJ. Beat Street cover everything form DJing to graffiti art in a classic hip hop inspired movie with a great story to boot.

Top 10 DJ characters form movies Part 1:

Here it is part one of the official VJ street list on the best DJ characters from movies. Until recently DJ’s were always in the background. Now that they demand the limelight we felt it was only right to point out the pioneers in regards to movie characters.

10. Darell Williams- In the mix – Usher

Although this movie was not the best movie around earning a less than impressive 14% on rotten tomatoes. Its about a DJ that becomes a bodyguard and probably shouldn’t have. The fact that the main character is a DJ and its played by a musician Darell makes the list.

9. DJ Evil – Zoolander – Justin Theroux

What is a movie without a fight scene? Then what would this list be with out a fight scene involving a DJ. Thank you to Zoolander and DJ Evil we have that fight scene.

 8. Bilal – House Party – Martin Lawrence

House Party one and two were huge movies in the hip hop community.  There are countless memorable scenes and cameos in the movie. Martin Lawrence was not the star that we know him to be when these movies came out but he had some great lines that could have possibly lead him there.

7. DJ Request- The Goods – Craig Robinson

Although he didn’t get a lot of screen time, when he did it was hilarious. He does give into any request’s even though his name is DJ Request and has a mantra that he repeats to remind him self of the power a DJ poses.

6. Chris the glove – Breakin – Chris the Glove Taylor

Breakin was another movie that was instrumental in exposing the masses to hip hop culture. Although Ice-T was the more recognizable entertainer in these videos, the beats were provided by Chris the Glove. INspiring kids to be DJ’s themselves Chris the Glove is the first person on this list that was actually a working DJ

 

Welcome back Mr.Electronica

 

jay-z-jay-electronica-

Jay Electronica has been enjoying the spoils of his relationship with the lovely Kate Rothschild, he hasn’t necessarily been making noise with his music. His once promising rap career seemed top be derailed by his partners wealth, she did after all leave her husband to be with Mr. Electronica.

Well now he’s back and he brought controversy with him, in the form of Jay-Z. A few weeks ago Drake had made a comment on Hova’s reference to owning expensive art that as something that most people cant relate to, and I cant say I disagree. Either way Jay-Z didnt take to his comment and made a comment of his own, even referring to him as Miss. Drizzy. So is this real beef or just a fabricated argument strategically placed for promotion? Only time will tell.

 

Rane 64

 

Rane has been playing second fiddle to Pioneer when it comes to mixers. The Rane 68 did not receive the best reviews so it’s important that the 64 make a positive impact. The 62 was the predecessor to both of these mixers was much more popular and widely used, the 64 seems to capitalize on that success with a few new improvements to make this a very competitive mixer.

The days of mixers priced at $200 and under are over, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The Rane 64 boasts integrated Serato DJ software.  This makes the 64 a great mixer for a wide variety of DJ’s.  Just plug it in sync it up and your ready to mix.

Sometimes it’s the little things that count. Dual usb ports give this particular mixer an added selling point. With today’s technology constantly improving, just about everything electronic can be linked with a usb fitting. These ports also allow separate midi messages to each individual port, allowing DJs to toggle back and forth.

Ultimately the 64 sits right in between the 68 and 62. The integrated software and multi function put it in the high end mixer talk and gives pioneer products a run for their money. Having the availability of these two companies dueling for the best product only leads to better tools for DJ’s themselves. The Rane 64 definitely lives up to that concept.

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Can’t outrun the trap

 

Will trap music last longer than dubstep did? It would depend on who is asked. Dubstep was the misunderstood offspring of electric dance music. It came onto the scene with gusto, Dj’s were making dubstep remixes of mainstream songs and seeing success, companies like Microsoft and Ovalitine were running commercials with a dubstep theme.  Then it just died. Trap music seems to be gaining a familiar steam and potentially setting itself up for a fall like its misunderstood predecessor. The roots of Trap music would lead to believe otherwise.

The trap genre was propelled into recent fame in 2012 with a culmination of Flosstradamus,Major Lazor and Baauer giving this new sound a bright and exciting future. Baauer’s Harlem shake went viral, Flosstradamus made Orignal Don slow down and everyone paid attention.  Major Lazor walks hand in hand in harmony with dance, trap and hip hop music. These are all very good signs in regards to the music’s longevity but its greatest strength is the fact that it has been prevalent in some form for a long time.

 

The sounds produced by the 808 drum machine are the tie that binds two generations together.  In the early 90’s and late 2000’s trap music was defined by artists like Three 6 Mafia, Jeezy and the always unpredictable Gucci Man. The term trap referred to the block or part of the neighborhood where drugs were sold. The lyrics in the song reflected that lifestyle T.I. even named one of his albums “Trap Muzic”. Little did we know that base lines were going to keep beating into the next generation?

t.i. TRAP MUZIK 2003

t.i. TRAP MUZIK 2003

Anything that can inspire a dance style that makes women shake their ass will always last. While Miley is off somewhere twerking, trap music is having the same effect on the dance floors. While dubstep gained notoriety from remixes of mainstream song it didn’t necessarily make them better.  It’s a dance floor killer, the majority of the people don’t or should I say can’t dance to dub step. Despite the fact it was spawned from electronic dance music it truly only appealed to the eclectic ear.  Sadly the advertising and movie industries also had its hand in dub steps demise, flooding television commercials and block buster movie fight scenes saturating the public with exposure.

Deep roots in both hip hop and now electronic dance, trap music has made the generational leap possible. With its propensity of making women dance provocatively and flexibility between hip hop and dance mainstream success is inevitable. Trap music looks like it’s here to stay and if you need more evidence of how far it’s come, just watch the video below.