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A disc jockey (often DJ or deejay)
is an individual who selects and plays pre-recorded music for the enjoyment of
others.
In circles and
cultures where
reggae and related musical styles are prevalent such as Jamaica, Panama, and
other parts of the Caribbean and Latin America, the word "DJ" refers to an MC or
rapper and the word "selector" is used as the title of the person commonly
performing the roles of the disc jockey. Thus what Jamaicans call dee jaying,
chatting, or toasting is called rapping in most other
parts of the world. Recently, reggae artists who sing in styles similar to rap
have also been called DJs.
DJs can be heard on the radio and
at any number of social gatherings, such as weddings, nightclubs, art openings,
warehouse parties, and high school dances. As a result there are many different
types of DJ, each fitting into a particular niche defined by performance setting
(broadcast booth or nightclub) and intended audience. A DJ's performance style
and the techniques he or she employs must reflect these considerations. For
instance,
wedding DJs play music but are often expected to act as a masters of
ceremony who introduce the bride and groom, lead dances, or invite guests to
play games. A DJ at a rave would instead be expected to introduce a greater
technical element to their performance by manipulating the songs they play in
order to maintain a given tempo and energy level.
Some consider deejaying to be not
a single action but rather a series of actions that depend on situation and
expectations. However, whether talk radio shock jocks like Howard Stern and Don
Imus that do not play music ought to be referred to as DJs or "on-air
personalities" is often debated.
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