In recent years, there has been a growing trend of calling DJs “artists.” This is a ridiculous notion, and it sends me up the wall. DJ’s are not artists. They’re skilled artisans. They’re the Kardashians of the music world. They’re famous for being famous, not for their talent. They’re all about image and self-promotion. I could be a DJ too by just pressing play on my Spotify playlist and waving my hands in the air like I just don’t care.
Here are 8 reasons why DJs should never, ever be called “artists.” And if you disagree, well, bless your heart.
- Because, obviously, pressing a button on a pre-mixed track is the epitome of artistic expression. I mean, who needs to actually create something from scratch when you can just push a button?
- DJs don’t create their own music, they just play other people’s stuff. But hey, that’s totally the same thing as composing your own hit song or symphony, right?
- A true artist is someone who copies and remixes other people’s work. Wait, that doesn’t sound right…
- Mixing two songs together and adjusting the tempo is clearly a revolutionary form of art. Move over, Picasso.
- Many DJs use flashy visuals and special effects to distract from the fact that they’re not actually doing much on stage. But hey, if you can’t impress ’em with your skills, dazzle ’em with your smoke and mirrors.
- Paris Hilton is a DJ. Enough said.
- Let’s not forget, being a DJ is just like being a famous singer or musician. Just replace writing your own songs with pressing buttons on a laptop. Same thing, right?
- If we start calling DJs “artists,” then we’ll have to start calling everyone else in the entertainment industry an artist too. Congrats, cashier at the movie theater, you’re now a cinematic artist!
DJs are entertainers, not artists. And that’s okay! They have their place in the music industry, but let’s not pretend that they’re on the same level as actual musicians.
So the next time you hear someone call a DJ an “artist,” just remember: they’re not. They’re just big jabronis with a fancy sound system.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.
