The Surge of Electronic Music and the Success of New DJs

                                                   Image Courtesy: Pinterest

House and electronic music have taken the world by storm in the last few years, with festivals like EDC attracting over 500,000+ people to dance and have fun among DJs who play everything from trance to hardstyle. EDM, and subgenres such as house, techno, and dubstep, have captured the hearts of many and recently influenced many young people to take up DJing. At FSU, DJs are on the rise. With the number of fraternities, parties, and nightclubs in Tallahassee, this town is a gold mine for someone trying to break into the DJ world. But why has everyone become a DJ now?

Creativity and the arts are thriving as they become increasingly accessible through the internet and social media, making it easier for people to break into these fields. DJing is experiencing a rise in popularity because it is one of the more accessible entry points into the creative world. Compared to other instruments, entry-level DJ equipment is quite affordable, ranging from $100-$250; however, the price increases as equipment becomes more professional. For some, DJing is a fun hobby or a party trick, while for others, it’s a serious pursuit of a music career. Social media has given hundreds of thousands a platform where just about anyone can attain a presence online with enough consistency. With so many people gaining popularity and making names for themselves online, people may start to question themselves if they don't. When comparing yourself and your accomplishments to people your age, it's hard to believe you can't be doing more for yourself.

                                              Image Courtesy: Facebook

When I asked for a DJ controller for Christmas, I intended to learn something new that seemed fun. I would be lying if I said there wasn't truth in picking it up because I lack musical and artistic skills but wanted to be somewhat involved in these conversations. With so many people our age amounting to great things every other day, we as a generation can feel pressured to be the next big thing. Whether academically, professionally, or artistically, we stress about improving ourselves.

                                                      Image Courtesy: Reddit

It is a possibility that this new wave of DJs is expanding because of the aforementioned, not the love of DJing. They see the success they can amount to through social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. These networks have played a crucial role in the rise of DJing mainly because they allow individual creators to be their own promoters and management teams. As time passes, I think people will express their creativity and individuality in more diverse ways. This being said, the easier it becomes to gain fame, the more people will begin to do it disingenuously which could be the fall of art itself.

Strike Out,

Writer: Jasmine Diaz

Editor: Grace Groover

Graphic Designer: Alyssa Gonzalez

Tallahassee