Cool Gifts and Accessories for DJs

Ever want to buy your favorite DJ a gift, you know, just to say thanks for killing it? Or maybe you have a DJ in the family... your brother a disc jockey? What about a cousin or friend from school? I know you've probably wanted to but maybe you just haven't pulled the trigger. Well, we're here to tell you that cool dj accessories as well as some pretty funny dj gifts do exist, and you can buy them.

Funny DJ Gifts

We all love gag gifts, right? Right! Giving funny gifts can be rewarding. Seeing the look on the receivers face when they get a present they're totally not expecting. Here's one funny gift for DJs specifically!

Here we have the DJ scratch pad for cats. Get it? Scratch pad?! Like, cause DJs scratch records. You get it! We'll here's an awesome turntable replica with a scratch pad (record) for your feline friend!

You can buy it here.

Cool DJ Accessories

DJs are always acquiring more gear, so here is a list of some cool dj accessories you can get as a gift for your favorite disc jockey.

• Collapsible gear cart [Buy here]
• Some great headphones [Buy here]
• Laptop stand [Buy here]
• Portable turntable [Buy here]

DJ Extras: Uplighting for your Wedding or Event

I'm sure you've heard the term, "the cherry on top." This term refers to the last piece or the finishing touch to something, just like a cherry on the top of an ice cream sundae would be. When it comes to weddings and events of all kinds, that finishing touch, that cherry on top, is uplighting, and your DJ can help you with that.

What is uplighting?

Uplighting simply refers to the lighting in a room that accents a wall or pillar or another structure either to highlight it or to add a hue to the room to coordinate with decor and contribute to overall ambiance and atmosphere. Here is an example:

Photo from Indianapolis Uplighting

Uplighting can be done in any number of colors, from red uplights, purple uplighting, green colored uplights, blues, amber colors and everything in between. They're usually rented on a per-light basis, meaning you can rent anywhere from 1 to a million, though most events likely fall somewhere between 10 and 30 lights.

What does uplighting cost?

Uplighting rental can range in price per provider, but let's use one Maryland wedding DJ company as an example. Their rates are $40 per uplight which for 10 lights would be $400 and for 20 lights would be $800 and so on. You'll also want to check with any company you choose to see if there is a setup or charge fee. The company we're using as an example has a $75 setup and charge fee which means they will charge the lights and set to your specific color and charge the batteries on the lights and setup and breakdown the lights at the end of your event. These setup and charge fees are sometimes waived so make sure to ask, it can't hurt.

Hopefully that gives a good idea of what to consider when looking into uplighting for your wedding or event. If it's in the budget it's a great way to enhance any gathering.

World's Youngest DJ

Aaliyah taught us that age ain't nothing but a number, and it's never been truer in this world of freelancers, creatives, artists, and entrepreneurs. So when searching to find the world's youngest DJ, it's no surprise that the Internet turned up something expected, yet a little unexpected - a DJ younger than you'd ever guess.

Here's DJ Arch Jnr, a South African DJ prodigy in the making. After winning South Africa's Got Talent in 2015, this little guy is headed for big things in the DJ world. Could he be the next A-Trak or DJ Qbert? Sure. But, will he be? Time will tell for this young DJ. In the meantime, we can all watch the prodigy in action and wish we got started this young.

Most Requested Songs of 2016

As DJs, we get a lot of requests, especially at weddings and private events. Every year there are a new batch of favorite artists or songs that rise to the top and then there are the old staples that reign supreme. Whether you're into newer music, or prefer a DJ that can mix the appropriate old tunes, a good DJ will be able to accommodate both.

There's a very popular DJ software that ranks the top 200 most requested songs each year, and while it's not entirely accurate (doesn't track requests at an actual wedding or event, and only takes into account DJs who use the software, etc.) it can at least give a good look into what has been popular over the year.

Here's a snapshot of the top 10, but head on over for the full list.

Why do DJs Take Requests?

One of the biggest and most important skills that a good DJ needs to have is the ability to read the crowd. In doing so, a great DJ will be taking in so much information  about the crowd and checking that against their own music knowledge and experience reading crowds from the past. One of the ways good DJs read the crowd is by taking requests.

Now, a good DJ isn't going to play all requests, but they're going to use that information to make better song selection that can appeal to the majority of the people at the wedding or event or club or party. For example, if you're at a club and someone requests an old classic rock song, it's probably not the best environment to play that song, but it can let the DJ know that there may be some people there that are into more rock-influenced, edgier music. With that info, a DJ can choose songs that will fit in with the energy level and the environment that would please that person. 

That's just one example, but there are many, many more ways good DJs use requests. So, if you're out and you're at an event with a DJ, feel free to make a request, just know that if it can't be played, the DJ is likely using that info to find things that you will like that fits in better.

Oh and for some dj humor, here's an awesome clip of DJ No Request from the movie The Goods: