Have you ever been at an event where a DJ was mixing and you thought about making a request? Your answer will say a lot about you for sure. I know I should be more specific in asking but I want to break it down in all instances according to my own somewhat humiliating, but mostly self-entertaining experiences. There is a time and place for everything and the best thing to do first is listen to what is actually being played before you muster up the courage to ask for your song. Let's explore some scenarios.
I KNOW THE DJ
So you go in to the club where your friend is spinning and you're ready to have a great time because the place is always busy, everyone's a super model and the music is fresh. You want to find your groove but you can't until you hear your song so you want to make a request.
Advice: Go for it. I will always take a request from someone I know because they are at my establishment trying to be a part of the party. Since we know each other they will most likely have the patience to wait until I'm up or down to their song's tempo in order to mix it in effectively. If the track is hot, it's a no brainer. If it's a weaker track and it's early and your floor is light, then get it out of the way so you can get back to building your crowd. If it's a weaker track and your floor is slammed, then don't play it. You are the DJ and your friend will understand. You can ask him or her if they want to hear something else that will fit in and most likely they will have another request. The point is that you should try and accommodate repeat customers, especially if they come to the club because of you.
THIS MUSIC IS WACK
You and your crew are ready to party and roll into the club or venue and the music is wack. The place might be very nice and even really busy, but you just can't get in to the music so you want to make a request.
Advice: Be patient. Explore your surroundings first before you make your way to the DJ booth. If the place is packed and everyone is having a good time, then you should probably just relax and try and enjoy yourself especially if the DJ is on fire. If the place is just as bad as you think the music is, then you should probably find somewhere else to party. Either way your request may or may not be necessary or even relevant to the situation. At some point you have to decide to let the DJ do his job whether it is to deliver the goods or crash and burn. I have been asked to play "something I can dance to" when my floor has been packed before, too. I have a notch wall every time it happens. Seriously. I will be very nice about it at first and say "what did you have in mind?". If it makes sense I will use my skill to make it happen, especially if they are nice about it. If it doesn't, then I will kindly say that I will try and make it happen if they can be patient. If I have it and they are very nice, then chances are I'll play it in some form or fashion. It might be a remix but I will make an effort. If someone says "This music sucks, you need to play insert lame track here", then I will probably not play it at all. If any one is rude to the DJ they probably aren't having a good time anyway and should find their way to a bar with a jukebox. Either way, being nice goes both ways when it comes to making and taking a request.
THE DJ PLAYED THIS THE LAST TIME
If you are going to an event where there is a full line-up of DJs including national and international artists and you want to hear something you've heard them play before, then chances are you are you won't be making a request. But you are not alone. I have heard a crowd collectively scream to Daft Punk to play Around The World and eventually they did. Yes, they probably were going to drop it anyway but the crowd did indeed get their request played. So if you and hundreds want to hear something, then by all means scream away. I have played at events like these on a smaller scale where someone has come up and asked me to play something they heard me play before in which case I will gladly drop it. If you can make an impression as a DJ and you are given an opportunity to do it again, then you should. It's what you aim for, isn't it?
I'M LEAVING SOON, CAN YOU PLAY MY SONG NOW?
You've been having a pretty good time at the club or venue so far, but now it's time to go and the DJ has yet to play your song. Maybe you should give the DJ a reminder or maybe you never asked but you really want to hear it right now before you leave.
Advice: Do not rush the DJ. Just be patient and respect the work that it takes to spin good music. DJ's want to build a set and fill the venue with people that want to hang out and have a good time for most of the night. There is little chance of being rewarded with your song if you're just going to leave right afterward. If I am asked to play a song and I am able to play it, I definitely want to see those who request the song moving toward and ultimately dominating the dance floor to the requested track. Yes, we notice and we are more likely to play more of your requests if they fill my dance floor. Plan ahead, have patience, listen for your request and sing it loud and proud on the dance floor when it is played. If you miss it, it will not get a rewind and you can't perform your routine. Oh well, maybe next time. Probably not.
So a song request is merely that. A request. The DJ doesn't have to play it, but a DJ who aims to please will most likely try and get it played. Does that mean he or she is a jukebox? Do they lose street cred for doing so? Not really. I personally consider it a challenge to play something out of left field in the middle of a slamming set. But that's my prerogative and I don't blame anyone out there for not playing a request. Just consider the fine line between being an artist and a diva and try and be flexible. For those of you that like to request songs the advice is simple. Ask for something along the lines of what you are already hearing, and that is fitting for the atmosphere and the crowd, be patient, and most of all be nice about it. And for the DJs the advice is simple as well. Do your homework for that particular night at that particular club if this is a one-off gig, be prepared with loads of music, be patient, and be polite. They'll love you forever and ask you back if you can rock the party.
Stay tuned for more on my new series The DJ's Life and Timeslots. Oh, and if there's something you would like to me to write about you should know: I take requests.
DJ MadFlip
