RADIO MIX SHOW DJS-WHO IS THE BEST?

[confusedandmad2]

'WBMX' was reading my mind and took the words right outta my mouth!

Major props to you, MY FRIEND!

 

[Reggiefan1945]

It's amazing to see the history of great DJ's we have and have had here. It is truly an art and we have to rank high in talent. Where do you think we rank in quality compared to other cities? LA & NY do not have much on us.

 

[confusedandmad2]

I dont know about that LA & NY not having much on us. There are thousands that are probably the same or 10 times better than guys here in Chicago, i.e, DJ AM from LA but from Jersey workin for Power 106 and DJ Spinbad from NY and mixin' for like 3 stations .....NOW, Those guys are DJ's!!

 

[Hamp]

I dont know about that LA & NY not having much on us. There are thousands that are probably the same or 10 times better than guys here in Chicago, i.e, DJ AM from LA but from Jersey workin for Power 106 and DJ Spinbad from NY and mixin' for like 3 stations .....NOW, Those guys are DJ's!!

Why do people have to dis on Chicago because it isn't on one of the "coasts?"
I have a friend that lives in Southern Cal that listens to Power 106 quite frequently and I have been sending him tapes of the B-96 After party and he says he PREFERS Chicago mixes over L.A.'s. Chicago is a LOT more street mix than L.A. and Chicago DJ's are not afraid to blend House Music with Hip-Hop.
Also, I am not disrespecting the N.Y.C, but when I first heard the DJ's in New York I thought that they were okay. They don't really do any "tricks" like Chicago DJ's do. New York DJ's also tend to drag out a record, while Chicago keeps it fresh and keeps changing it up. The only reason why New York DJ's get props is because they are in New York. They tend to be overblown.
Chicago DJ's like: Bad Boy Bill, Josh The Funky One, Mixin Marc, DJ Lil John, Martin Boogieman Luna, etc. can give New York and ESPECIALLY L.A DJ's a run for their money.

 

[Damixah3]

Its a proven fact Chicago dosent support their own....Its the proven fact the pioneers who put radio mix jocks together are working against us instead of for us....

Radio Mix Jocks are constantly slammed with ratings excuses on weekend slots...WTF??!! its a saturday night for christ sakes!!!! Specialty programming should run on the weekend. Why would you run the same programming on the weekend that you run during the week?

NO ONE is fighting for the mix DJs in chicago....no one gives a crap!...its every DJ for themselves.....

 

[confusedandmad2]

Hamp - Have u been outside of CHICAGO?? You have a friend that likes radio Dj's that mix in chicago better than LA mixers??? 1 friend makes the difference?? WOW.....I'm amazed. LOL

And New York DJ's also tend to drag out a record?? Who might those DJ's be? Since the invention of Serato, everytime I go out to NY, and EVEN on their Internet STREAMS you hear them blend and/or cut songs during their mixes just like they do, or even better than the DJ's here in Chicago. And its even LIVE AT A CLUB!!!

Outta off all those DJ's you mentioned that can give DJ's outside of Chicago 'a run for their money', who is the only one thats makin a name OUTSIDE OF THE CITY?

I dont buy that crap about Dj's not supporting other Dj's here in the city. What research did you do or get to come up with that theory?

All I am saying is.........EXPAND YOUR MIND OUTSIDE OF THIS CITY.....There is a whole other world outside of Chicago. Stop being bullheaded and thinkin that DJ's here are the end all, BE ALL.

Dont get me wrong, they are good here, but there are some better. PROVEN FACT! LOL.....

 

[Damixah3]

All I am saying is.........EXPAND YOUR MIND OUTSIDE OF THIS CITY.....There is a whole other world outside of Chicago. Stop being bullheaded and thinkin that DJ's here are the end all, BE ALL.

Went to Paris Last month, Been to LA, Dallas, and Miami this year...whats your point?

 

[confusedandmad2]

why dont you RELAX?? I asked Hamp the question. Good for you that you went to all those places. I commend you. SO RELAX!!!

 

[Damixah3]

why dont you RELAX?? I asked Hamp the question. Good for you that you went to all those places. I commend you. SO RELAX!!!

Didnt mean to unload...thought it was directed at me...My Apologies..Bro.... ;D

 

[Hamp]

why dont you RELAX?? I asked Hamp the question. Good for you that you went to all those places. I commend you. SO RELAX!!!

First off, I am not originally from Chicago, but that is how I was first introduced to House DJ"s. I have been listening to House Music for almost twenty years now, so I do think I can form an opinion on the subject.
Once again, you have that attitude that because something is on one of the "coasts", it is automatically better. You say I haven't been anywhere, I have gone to the West AND East coasts (as well as places in between) several times in the last few years. I originally was going to move to Southern California, but it just wasn't my speed. It is nice, but overall I think a lot of the people out there are weak and sheltered, just like their mixes. I just wasn't impressed.
In terms of New York DJ's, you say they don't drag out songs, okay I will name some names of N.Y.C. DJ's who I have heard drag songs out. Junior Vasquez (better producer than a DJ), Cevin Fisher (same thing about Cevin as Junior), David Morales (he plays GREAT tracks, but has gone as long as nine to ten minutes on one track), Tony Humphries (once again, great tracks, but sometimes too long), I can keep going.
So please don't tell me where I haven't been or what I haven't listened to because you don't know me. You need to just give Chicago its props. I do have love for New York House as well, but New York didn't do it alone.

 

[Hamp]

Hamp - Have u been outside of CHICAGO?? You have a friend that likes radio Dj's that mix in chicago better than LA mixers??? 1 friend makes the difference?? WOW.....I'm amazed. LOL

And New York DJ's also tend to drag out a record?? Who might those DJ's be? Since the invention of Serato, everytime I go out to NY, and EVEN on their Internet STREAMS you hear them blend and/or cut songs during their mixes just like they do, or even better than the DJ's here in Chicago. And its even LIVE AT A CLUB!!!

Outta off all those DJ's you mentioned that can give DJ's outside of Chicago 'a run for their money', who is the only one thats makin a name OUTSIDE OF THE CITY?

I dont buy that crap about Dj's not supporting other Dj's here in the city. What research did you do or get to come up with that theory?

All I am saying is.........EXPAND YOUR MIND OUTSIDE OF THIS CITY.....There is a whole other world outside of Chicago. Stop being bullheaded and thinkin that DJ's here are the end all, BE ALL.

Dont get me wrong, they are good here, but there are some better. PROVEN FACT! LOL.....

Bad Boy Bill has made a name for himself OUTSIDE of Chicago. What about Ralphi Rosario? Farley "Jackmaster" Funk?
Also, no one said I thought Chicago DJ's were end all and be all. Maybe you need to stop being bullheaded and thinking the "coasts" are so much better. It is shame that you are probably a Chicagoan, but you don't support your own. I am not even from here, but I support Chicago.
There are a lot of places I could have chosen to live, but Chicago was where I chose. This is a great place and I think you take the music scene here for granted.

 

[confusedandmad2]

Clearly u did not understand what I said so I'm goin to have explain myself AGAIN.....

I said SOME DJ's are better than the ones here in CHICAGO. YOU'RE automatically assuming that I think the "coasts" are better.

Junior Vasquez, Cevin Fisher, Tony Humphries.....great producers and have DJ'ed all over the world (THATS INCLUDING CHICAGO, SIR!) They might not appeal to you, BUT THEY DO TO EVERYONE ELSE IN THE WORLD.

And youre right, I DONT KNOW YOU. AND Dont even want to know you.

I give Chicago props. HELL, we're the ones that showed the WORLD HOW TO BLEND AND MIX RECORDS!! BMX HISTORY, JACK!! LOOK IT UP!

That I know of, Bill and Ralphi are the only ones that have made a name for themselves. AS FAR AS I KNOW, I COULD BE WRONG

AND I am a PROUD CHICAGOAN! You also think that I dont support my own, and you're RIGHT! I dont. Only because of the Chicago DJ I've seen today mixes for himself and ONLY HIMSELF . Now these Chicago Dj's think they can put songs together and blend them. HA! Those mixes sounds horrible. Some songs can be mixed well, but NOT ALL OF THEM. And it clearly hasnt been done since the 80's all the way to the 90's with Julian Perez, Bill, Kenny Jason, Martin Luna, Frankie Rodriguez, Mike Wilson....those guys took control over the radio and on their club sets! It doesnt happen anymore.

I think you must have seen something else, because I havent seen a place in Chicago that has made me think the way you apparently do. And believe me, I am a House head, but there are so few DJ's that can do what they have done in the past like taking control and commanding an audience; Something that captivates them. Like B.B. King said, "The THRILL IS GONE"

By the way, why give up moving to Southern California? Only because people out there are "weak and sheltered, just like their mixes?" WHAT>>?? And they arent weak and sheltered in CHICAGO? SERIOUSLY....What world are you from? Giving up SO CAL for that REASON?? I must have gone to a different part of So Cal because I didnt wanna leave that place for sh--! You've had to have another reason because I really think thats a coppout, IN MY OPINION.


I guess, TO EACH HIS OWN. GOOD LUCK TO YOU, HAMP! REALLY, GOOD LUCK!

And to let everyone who reads this rant or post, (whatever you may call it), I live and breathe Chicago. This city made what is called mixshows, all around the country and all over the world. To where it was, to where it is right now, my only suggestion to the radio mixshow DJ today is (and yes you have big shoes to fill in this CITY, i.e, Dr. J to Michael Jordan, 85' Bears to '06 Bears): STEP YOUR GAME UP, KID!

 

[Hamp]

Clearly u did not understand what I said so I'm goin to have explain myself AGAIN.....

I said SOME DJ's are better than the ones here in CHICAGO. YOU'RE automatically assuming that I think the "coasts" are better.

Junior Vasquez, Cevin Fisher, Tony Humphries.....great producers and have DJ'ed all over the world (THATS INCLUDING CHICAGO, SIR!) They might not appeal to you, BUT THEY DO TO EVERYONE ELSE IN THE WORLD.

And youre right, I DONT KNOW YOU. AND Dont even want to know you.

I give Chicago props. HELL, we're the ones that showed the WORLD HOW TO BLEND AND MIX RECORDS!! BMX HISTORY, JACK!! LOOK IT UP!

That I know of, Bill and Ralphi are the only ones that have made a name for themselves. AS FAR AS I KNOW, I COULD BE WRONG

AND I am a PROUD CHICAGOAN! You also think that I dont support my own, and you're RIGHT! I dont. Only because of the Chicago DJ I've seen today mixes for himself and ONLY HIMSELF . Now these Chicago Dj's think they can put songs together and blend them. HA! Those mixes sounds horrible. Some songs can be mixed well, but NOT ALL OF THEM. And it clearly hasnt been done since the 80's all the way to the 90's with Julian Perez, Bill, Kenny Jason, Martin Luna, Frankie Rodriguez, Mike Wilson....those guys took control over the radio and on their club sets! It doesnt happen anymore.

I think you must have seen something else, because I havent seen a place in Chicago that has made me think the way you apparently do. And believe me, I am a House head, but there are so few DJ's that can do what they have done in the past like taking control and commanding an audience; Something that captivates them. Like B.B. King said, "The THRILL IS GONE"

By the way, why give up moving to Southern California? Only because people out there are "weak and sheltered, just like their mixes?" WHAT>>?? And they arent weak and sheltered in CHICAGO? SERIOUSLY....What world are you from? Giving up SO CAL for that REASON?? I must have gone to a different part of So Cal because I didnt wanna leave that place for sh--! You've had to have another reason because I really think thats a coppout, IN MY OPINION.


I guess, TO EACH HIS OWN. GOOD LUCK TO YOU, HAMP! REALLY, GOOD LUCK!

And to let everyone who reads this rant or post, (whatever you may call it), I live and breathe Chicago. This city made what is called mixshows, all around the country and all over the world. To where it was, to where it is right now, my only suggestion to the radio mixshow DJ today is (and yes you have big shoes to fill in this CITY, i.e, Dr. J to Michael Jordan, 85' Bears to '06 Bears): STEP YOUR GAME UP, KID!

I don't know what part of Chicago you are from, but to say people in Chicago are like those in Southern Cal is ridiculous. Chicago is WAY MORE in your face those Southern California. You know where you stand with people in Chicago, maybe you have been here for so long that you really can't tell the difference. I just think in Southern California they are just in a world of their own. I am not saying it isn't nice, but sometimes the people are just on the soft side.
Not getting too off topic, I have been listening to Chicago mixes since 1987, and I do agree things have changed quite a bit. BUT there are STILL good DJ's in Chicago. All I am saying is, don't dis on your own. I also didn't say I didn't like New York DJ's, I just think they are overblown because they are from New York that's all.

 

[Damixah3]

I think the reason radio DJs dont sound like the "Pioneers" is a few things:

1) No creative control...Playing from a playlist. How can a DJ be creative when you have a PD waving a playlist in front of you? How can you be YOU playing music someone else wants you to play....?

2) Lack of 12inch Versions..If you are using an Album track (on a CD compliation) thats EDITED for listening and not club play, its going to suck!

3) Closed minded listeners...If your crowd is not open to new and different music, how can you CONTROL a room? Especially if they wont GIVE you control to do so....

just my 2 cents....

 

[confusedandmad2]

I agree with HAMP that there are still good DJ's in Chicago but there are so few and far between. Its like finding a needle in the HAYSTACK.

I kinda agree about creative control, playing from a playlist. But then again, cant DJ's spice up the remixes or make the mix sound good and if it was new? I remember hearing B96 in the 90's, and everyone was bangin the same tracks every hour for about a good 3months.

And the reason for edited tracks does suck but really, thats what everyone hears and knows when they gettin ready to hit the dancefloor.

And yes, closed minded listeners. There are so many nowadays that you really have to cater to what everyone hears on the radio cause thats what the masses listen to.

All I am saying, EVERYONE has different tastes in music as well as DJ's IN MY OPINION.

IT ALL SUCKS, but again, these are the times we live in TODAY, like it or not.

 

[Noiseboxxx]

my old mix show dj is better than your old mix show dj.

and mine can mix circles around yours. with one hand behind his/her back. blindfolded. tied to a chair.

a few things to ponder:

are some djs just not "getting it" because they are bedroom djs and don't get out to the clubs? or do not have the luxury of breaking new music IN A CLUB before stuff hits the radio, like in the old days or ???

is there anyone bending the MD and PD's ears with the music that is huge in the clubs and coming from the club-level that has potential for at least the mix-show, if not the regular playlist? (instead of the label's promotion department determining what the "hits" are and the station playing it "safe"...)

i hear mixers that are technically proficient all the time, yet cannot program worth a poop. and vice versa.

as far as training a crowd and/or listener - that's the djs fault, not the crowds for being "picky". a dj has to know how to work a room and a program to get his crowd "into" the new unproven music.

djs have plenty of creative control - even if handed a playlist. that's what makes them special - if a dj can't make the mix his own special blend of what ever it is he's got to work with - get off the radio and out of the biz; or just go do weddings (which i hear are quite lucrative) where you don't have to be original to put on a good show.

there are plenty of chicago djs that have "made it" outside of the windy city besides bad boy bill and ralphi. kenny's worldwide. teri bristol (some hate her, some love her) does alright. johnny fiasco. i can't remember if mark farina was a "chicago native" - but he spun here for a while at places like shelter and others and he's done okay. same with wish-fm - he came here from texas, got to spin in chicago and has gone on to greater things. frankie rodriguez travels to europe to spin. frankie knuckles came here from new york, helped shape what we know as house music and went back to nyc - he's done okay. steve 'silk' hurley has done quite well. i could go on and on....i know that all of them are not "mix-show" djs, but they've done the work and got the cred. i'll stop here for now. discuss...

 

[confusedandmad2]

Well put, Noiseboxxx.

I agree totally with you and you may know more about those guys than anyone in here. Pretty much, I was just like someone from the outside looking in. I didnt know about them goin outside and workin places. Im EXTREMELY HAPPY THAT THEY ARE.

But then for someone to say that DJ's, radio or club, outside of Chicago, are not as good, is ridiculous! There are others that can hang and probably even surpass us. Its like people dont give ANY DJ's outside of Chicago credit just BECAUSE THEY LIVE SOMEWHERE ELSE. That's such horrible way to think.

LMAO @ -my old mix show dj is better than your old mix show dj.

and mine can mix circles around yours. with one hand behind his/her back. blindfolded. tied to a chair.-

 

[Damixah3]

All good Points CAM2, Hamp, and NB.....

Radio works slow...I think the "free thinker" PDs want to do more, but have to work slow....It takes a while for radio listeners to catch on....

Then you have the PDs/MDs who use research like its the Bible. Its a Guide not law.....

Lot of Good DJs breaking new music...We have some good House Nights going Not only in Clubs (like Zentra on fridays, The Note on Wednesdays, Sonotech on Thursdays...) We also have Lounges ( The Dating Game on Wednesdays/Fridays, Secrets on Sundays, Leo Den on Friday's) Lots of good spots to check out new cuts as well as House Classics.......

 

[Reggiefan1945]

It always seems DJ's from the 80's that really were not that good to begin with cant give props to the dj's of today. It goes the same for today's DJ's.

Think of the equipment back then, it is better now for the most part but that does not mean they were not good back then.

A good Mix DJ would of been good 20 years ago and he would be good 20 years from now...talent is talent!

 

[Hamp]

I also want to make another point related to radio mix DJ's. I have heard some people rag on B-96 and their mixshow. Granted, it isn't the same as it was in the 90's (changing of the times). BUT one has to give them props for at least devoting the time that they do to a mix show that STILL plays House Music.
If you were in a lot of radio markets around the U.S., you wouldn't see that happening.