Back in the day pre MP3 or CD’s the format was tapes and reel to reel. Tape was a powerful format for most new and evolving scenes. It was through tape that most underground music was kept alive. In Chicago and New York tapes regenerated over and over again, passed down through different networks allowed the the revolutionary sound to be heard to the ears of those that had never tasted the music before. There was a certain sacredness that was kept to the music and its sophistication and exclusivity, especially if you had a rare performance or fresh unreleased music on tape format.

We have moved on, or have we….? Technology has advanced but the scene has not. There is more information about the “underground” but less authentic forums for it. There is more DJ’s and music out there than ever before but less great music and less innovative DJ’s.

I sit back and think about it quiet a lot and many question plague my mind. Do people really understand the basics of DJ ing? Do they understand the craft and the art of DJ? Do they understand the spirt of the music they are playing? Are the people really down for supporting the creation of music? Or are people more concerned about the attention DJ ing brings,the power of appearing to have all the latest downloads without evening knowing the PRODUCER,WRITER, LABEL ETC…. The ability to obtain music without buying it weighs more than morality?

I have pretty strong options on what is going on. It’s clear to me that the problem lies in misappropriation of ethics and lack of experience. If you have had to sacrifice and actually work for anything in life you already know that you obtain higher respect for the process of reaching your goal. You also appreciate others that may have opened doors or helped you on the way. This same level of values applies here yet is not applied. Most people seem concerned about the shortest amount of time in reaching there false sense of power versus the development of mastery. It’s true everyone has a voice and has the right to use it but prematurity should not be the NEW MASTERY!!! Take the time to train and appreciate the value of self and your work before calling yourself a teacher and someone who deserves to be heard. Making music in what ever form DJ ing, producing, playing instruments is a craft. Music is a higher form of communication and has been passed down from ancient times. The first instrument is the voice the second is the drum. In the journey for mastering the drum in african culture, for the first couple of years the student does not even touch the drum. The apprentice watches the master before playing. This is real. If this has been the deal from the being then ask yourself what is wrong with this current picture?

Everything carries a responsibility. If you are not willing to take the time to learn, if you are not willing to support the art and culture behind the very thing you are down for, then WTF are you DOING?

Part 1