DJing, or the art of mixing, is much more than a simple sequence of tracks. Born in the radio stations and early dance floors of the 20th century, it has established itself as an artistic discipline in its own right, combining technique, creativity and interaction with the audience. Looking back at its history means exploring the evolution of the music, clubs and technologies that have shaped this culture.
What is DJing?
DJing, a term derived from “Disc Jockey”, refers to the art of selecting, sequencing and sometimes transforming music live for an audience. Today, the practice is associated with both nightclubs and major international festivals, and encompasses both technical performance and artistic creation. And yet, its image is sometimes blurred, teetering between people who simply play records and true musicians.
The current popularity of DJs stems from their central role in many musical trends, from hip-hop and house to techno and EDM. They shape the mood of a party and influence musical trends. DJing has become a discipline in its own right, combining a sense of rhythm, technological mastery and interaction with the audience.
To explore the history of DJing is to trace nearly a century of evolution, from the pioneers of radio to contemporary artists performing in front of crowds of tens of thousands of people. It’s also about understanding how a marginal, technical activity gradually acquired recognized artistic status, influencing popular culture far beyond music.
The origins of DJing
The beginnings of DJing go back long before the advent of modern clubs. In 1906, the young Ray Newby broadcast music from his bedroom in California using a short-wave transmitter, becoming one of the first to share records with the public over the radio. A few decades later, in 1943, the Briton Jimmy Savile played jazz records in front of an audience, claiming the simultaneous use of two turntables. However, it was American radio hosts like Martin Block in the 1930s who popularized the term “disc jockey”, coined by Walter Winchell to designate these record players.
Originally, the DJ’s role was purely radio-based: choosing songs, presenting them and sometimes hosting them with a rhythmic vocal style known as “jive talk”. In the 50s and 60s, pirate radio stations played a key role, broadcasting rock, soul and rhythm & blues that were often ignored by the official stations. This context gave rise to a central figure, the DJ as cultural mediator, capable of introducing music that the general public didn’t hear elsewhere.
The rise of DJing also owes much to Jamaican influence. Sound systems, mobile discotheques equipped with powerful sound systems, criss-cross the island, hosting open-air parties. The “toasters” provide live commentary on the songs, against a backdrop of reggae or ska, creating a unique interaction with the audience. This oral and rhythmic tradition directly inspired MCing and contributed to the emergence of hip-hop in the United States. These diverse roots, blending technology and performance, laid the foundations for modern DJing.
First steps in clubs and discos
In France, the history of the club DJ began during the Occupation, when orchestras, often jazz, were replaced in dance halls by recorded music. After the Second World War, these establishments were divided into two types: those that played records, entrusted to a “disquaire” responsible for playing the tracks, and those that still hosted orchestras. Gradually, the distribution of recorded music took over, especially in the big cities, marking the first steps towards the DJ profession as we know it today.
The pioneers of club mixing experimented with rudimentary means. In the 50s and 60s, transitions between tracks were often made without any suitable equipment, simply by switching from one turntable to another. Lucien Leibovitz, at the Whisky à Gogo in Cannes in 1956, is considered one of the first to mix to tempo with two turntables and a rotary knob table. This quest for fluidity in sequences already heralded the future importance of mixing in the profession.
The real technical turning point came in 1971, when engineer Alex Rosner built the first mixer specially designed for DJs, at the request of Francis Grasso, resident of The Haven club in New York. This innovation made it possible to adjust tempo and synchronize tracks, paving the way for more creative sets. The DJ became a sound craftsman capable of setting the mood for a party.
Jamaican influence and the birth of hip-hop
In Jamaica, sound systems played a major role in music distribution from the late 50s. These traveling sound systems, consisting of powerful speakers, a turntable and lighting effects, brought neighborhoods to life with the rhythms of ska, rocksteady and then reggae. The entertainers, known as “toasters”, used the instrumental side of 45 rpm records to improvise spoken or sung lyrics, often inspired by current events or everyday life. This practice, combining entertainment and vocal performance, laid the foundations for MCing and profoundly influenced future urban music genres.
At the end of the 60s, the emergence of dub thanks to figures such as King Tubby and Lee Scratch Perry further transformed the role of the Jamaican DJ. By re-recording and modifying existing tracks with effects, these pioneers paved the way for a form of remixing before its time. This creative freedom inspired DJs who, rather than simply broadcasting, became sound manipulators capable of reshaping live music.
When DJ Kool Herc, a Jamaican living in New York, imported this culture to the Bronx in the early 70s, he adapted the technique to American soul and funk. By extending instrumental sections (the famous breaks), he offered dancers an ideal playground for breakdancing. This process, soon perfected by Grandmaster Flash and enriched by the invention of scratching by Grand Wizzard Theodore, marked the birth of hip-hop and established the DJ as the movement’s central figure.
The rise of genres and techniques from 1970 to 1990
The late 70s saw the meteoric rise of disco, a festive genre that took hold of clubs the world over. DJs, the central figures of this scene, adapted their selections to maintain a continuous rhythm on the dance floor, taking advantage of technical improvements in sound systems. However, when record companies stopped producing disco in the early 80s, DJs like Chicago’s Frankie Knuckles reinvented the genre by modifying existing tracks. This was the birth of house music, a more minimalist, repetitive style that quickly spread to Europe.
Meanwhile, in Detroit, producers were experimenting with drum machines and synthesizers, giving birth to techno. This futuristic sound found its audience in clubs and raves, where the DJ became the master of ceremonies at events that could last all night. House and techno are based on continuous mixing, a technique made possible by pitch-adjustable turntables and more powerful mixing desks, enabling precise tempos to be set.
The 80s and 90s also saw the rise of turntablism, a discipline that treats turntables as real instruments. Competitions such as the DMC World DJ Championships showcased DJs’ virtuosity in scratching, beat juggling and creating complex routines. This technical approach, popularized by the likes of DJ Qbert and Mix Master Mike, further broadens the creative palette of DJing and consolidates its status as an art form in its own right.
The digital age and the democratization of DJs
From the late 90s onwards, the arrival of digital technology profoundly transformed DJing. The rise of MP3 files and software such as Traktor, Serato and VirtualDJ made it possible to transport thousands of tracks on a computer, considerably lightening the hardware requirements. DVS (Digital Vinyl Systems), such as Final Scratch, offered the possibility of controlling digital files with traditional turntables, combining the feel of analog mixing with the flexibility of digital. This hybridization rapidly won over professionals and amateurs alike.
Digital technology also opened up new creative perspectives. Mixing software incorporates real-time effects, the ability to loop segments, superimpose multiple tracks or automatically adjust tempo. At the same time, Computer-Aided Music (CAM) is becoming more accessible, enabling DJs to produce their own tracks, remixes and mashups directly from their personal studios. The boundary between DJ and producer was shrinking, giving rise to a generation of versatile artists.
This technical revolution was accompanied by an unprecedented democratization of the profession. DJ controllers, more affordable than professional turntables, enabled beginners to learn quickly. Online tutorials, specialized training courses and social networking communities facilitated learning and sharing new creations. Now, emerging talent can be spotted from the comfort of their own bedroom, thanks to platforms such as SoundCloud, YouTube and Mixcloud, without having to go through the traditional club circuit.
DJing today
The contemporary DJ occupies a wide range of roles, going far beyond simply mixing tunes. Depending on the context, they can be a resident DJ in a club, guaranteeing a unique atmosphere adapted to the regular audience, or a superstar DJ, capable of attracting huge crowds at international festivals. In both cases, they need to know how to select the right music, manage the flow of the event and keep the audience energized from start to finish.
Today, many DJs are also producers, creating their own tracks and remixes to assert a unique style. This dual role allows them to stand out in a saturated market, where recognition comes as much from live performances as from the distribution of original tracks on streaming platforms. Some artists, such as David Guetta and Martin Garrix, have become key figures on the global music scene, combining commercial success with cultural influence.
The rise of social network and video platforms has reinforced the media dimension of the profession. DJs now have to maintain their image, communicate with their community and regularly share content to stay visible. Stage performances are often accompanied by spectacular visuals, elaborate staging and interactive elements, transforming the DJ set into a multimedia show. The DJ of the 21st century is as much an artist as a communicator.
DJs’ influence on culture and the arts
DJ culture has exerted a significant influence on fashion, imposing dress codes linked to the musical scenes it traverses. From urban styles inspired by hip-hop to the more minimalist, futuristic looks of techno, outfits associated with DJs reflect both an artistic identity and a sense of belonging to a community. Many brands have appropriated this aesthetic, collaborating directly with artists for capsule collections or advertising campaigns.
Beyond fashion, DJing has left its mark on the visual arts and design. Vinyl sleeves, party flyers and projected live visuals have become veritable creative media. Some DJs work closely with VJs (Visual Jockeys) to synchronize music with moving images, creating immersive experiences where sound and image respond to each other. This fusion of audio and visuals has helped popularize sophisticated set design concepts for music events.
Films and documentaries have also dedicated themselves to the figure of the DJ, exploring their universe and impact on society. Films such as Berlin Calling and Eden retrace real-life trajectories, while documentaries such as Scratch and Daft Punk Unchained analyze the technical and cultural aspects of the discipline. This presence in various artistic fields bears witness to the enduring influence of DJing, which extends far beyond the realm of club music.
DJ culture has stood the test of time
The history of DJing illustrates a singular journey, from a practice born in radio studios and neighborhood parties to an art recognized on the world stage. From Ray Newby to DJ Kool Herc, from New York clubs to the French Touch, each generation has brought its share of technical and aesthetic innovations. This evolution also reflects the social and cultural changes of each era, making the DJ a privileged witness to musical mutations.
While the tools have changed profoundly, from vinyl to digital systems, the essence of the profession remains the same: to create a sound experience that captures the attention and arouses the emotion of the audience. Today’s DJs have an almost unlimited range of resources at their disposal, but they still have to rely on their listening skills, their ability to read the audience and their creativity to stand out from the crowd.
The future of DJing seems open to new transformations, driven by artificial intelligence, virtual reality and stage innovations. But whatever the technology employed, the human element, the connection between artist and audience, will remain at the heart of this discipline. It is this alchemy, inherited from over a century of history, that will continue to make DJing a living art form.
From vinyl to digital platforms, DJing has spanned the ages, adapting to changing fashions and technologies. More than a profession, it remains a passion and a performance art, where music create a connection between the artist and the audience.
