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Being a tour D.J.
We have the scoop from a bonafide tour D.J. who has performed with some of the nations most successful rappers in some of the largest venues.
So if you want to be a D.J. here are...
5 Little Known ups:
1. You are the backbone of the show - you make sure that the performance moves along the way it should
2. You sometimes get just as much play as the artist performing
3. Not only are you backstage, You are backstage VIP - nuff said.
4. You get to hype up the crowd & control the crowd (this is also a responsiblity, be up for it)
5. If the artist is big enough (i.e. national act - T.I., Luda, Kanye, etc.) you can get paid very well
5 Little Known downs:
1. You are responsible for setting up all of your equipment
2. Making sure you are at sound check to "make sure " everything sounds right & is hooked up correctly
3. Even if you are tired and the event doesn't coincide with your schedule you still have to work & be on point
4. After the performance, when everyone is going to the after party you have to tear down all of your equipment & move it to a safe secured place (unless you pay someone to do it)
5. After it's all said and done you might not get paid a lot of money or at all
Bonus things to think about from Hip HopTruth.com:
-Tours are not consistent, until you have enough money to cover bills for at least a year you should have a "day job" or back up work to make money when nobody is touring or when the people who are touring don't want to tour with you
-Being a Tour D.J. is a good opportunity to promote yourself or your mixtapes
-If the tour gets cancelled you are out of a job & need to look for new income
-Tour schedules are tight - you should start practicing being extra punctual, good at time management skills & able to work when you don't feel like it RIGHT NOW (feel free to use your current job, school, studying, housework, whatever your current responsibilities are for practice)  |