With the capitals clubbing circuit on the cusp of some truly positive & exciting changes, we extend our Seventh Day Sermon series into still further controversial territory, speaking out on an issue close to our heart, the injustice meated out to many D.J.’s on the capitals clubbing through paltry pay while some continental compatriots are equally selling themselves short as the chase their next gig.
It is no secret of surprise that we are hugely passionate about many things connected with the clubbing scene, not just here in the capital but across in the continent too, our website activity evidence of the selfless support we spread among a wide range of clubs, events & music producers, while if we were to hang our hat on a particular passion it would be for the D.J.’s and the magnificent music they deliver in making the clubs & events they play for & at, the successes they are. Indeed, while each & every person connected with a club is important enough in that success, in our humble yet qualified opinion, one spanning close of twenty years treading the dancefloor boards of our beloved South Africa, here in London and across in Europe, it is the D.J. that is the most intrinsic part of that success, as without their music, no amount of organising, lighting, effects, production & promotion would either equal or exceed the undeniable importance of the D.J. in the role of a successful club or event. And while we acknowledge that music is and has not been the major driver for some in the clubbing fraternity, without it is akin to bread without butter, a car without wheels and a house without walls, such is the marriage between music & clubbing, along of course with the D.J’s that deliver it.
Yet despite this unquestionable importance that D.J.’s play in proceedings, it seems that London in general, but certain promoters in particular, simply do not recognise this through the dosh they dole out to D.J.’s, the rates of pay hardly having changed for over a decade, some naturally commanding higher rates than others, but those rates nowhere near the level of the capitals continental cousins. Indeed, with the knowledge that there are international D.J.’s/Producers that won’t even get out of bed for less than over twice (sometimes three times) the rates earned by our London based brethren while our lot have to accept paltry pay for the prominent part the play in the soaring success of parties, especially those packed out to the rafters, examples here being Matinee, WE & Beyond, it seems the worth of the wealth of the teaming talent we enjoy in London, is being vastly undervalued. Furthermore, it seems that club owners & producers across in Europe and further afield have a totally different psyche to their capitals cousins, they sharing our philosophy that D.J.’s are the cornerstone of clubs & events, so rewarding them accordingly, sharing the spoils of success with the spinners that actually make their brands & bashes tick. That said, there are exceptions to this rule on both sides of the channel & on both sides of the scale, without mentioning names, an established international dance troupe club promotions team falling woefully short in the pay stakes compared with their compatriots, while here in London there is a new clubbing movement & collective that recognise the intrinsic & important part that D.J.’s play and have already gone on record as saying they will & have shared the profits of their parties much more fairly & evenly with the D.J.’s on the rosters.
However, the paltry pay story also extends to certain D.J.’s themselves, many who have been sucked into selling themselves short in search of the next gig or exposure to the scene, this a particular feature across in Europe which is in complete contrast to the philosophy of the majority of promoters. But what this band of what we can only describe as desperate D.J.’s are so much so, that they would travel hundred’s, sometimes thousands of miles simply to get that much sort after exposure, hardly making any money (sometimes losing out) from the deal, equally unethical promoters rubbing their hands in delight that they have landed a D.J. for a cut price package of pay. And the inevitable comparisons with London are often made and even used as an excuse, this practice undermining both the value & attractiveness of experienced players & producers across the international circuit, many simply having to dig their heels in & stand by their pay principles, even if it means losing a gig, a tour or a festival as a result.
So, it seems, in certain circles at least, we have entered a vicious circle, where D.J.’s rates of pay vary considerably, where a handful of promoters practices, not least one of the largest clubbing groups right here in the capital, leave a lot to be desired, begging the inevitable questions of how can this be stopped and where will it end, the door of blame routed right here in London but one that seems to be spreading across the continent too. So, we reckon it’s time for those promoters responsible and reading this, to wake up to their responsibilities towards the bread & butter of their brands, clubs, events & parties, the D.J., to follow the lead of a certain capital clubbing & start rewarding them more fairly & proportionately through more respectful pay, while those D.J.’s that are forcing the rates of others down by their insatiable gig chasing desires, need to take heed and then account for their actions to save being outed, as we could so easily do. Why?, because we feel so strongly and passionately towards a long list of D.J.’s both here in London & internationally that richly deserve the reward for the enthralling entertainment they employ, but, at the hands of these handful of incredulous individuals are being sold short for paltry pay. (DISCO MATT)
