forums : Jungle Scene : Ragga

expanding ragga

I'm a fledgling dj and I'm auditioning to play a westside club in the spring. There will be lots of cheesy "beautiful" people---basically uneducated, just there for the scene. Not that there's anything wrong with that. The promoter wants me to play strictly dancehall and the hip hop remix tip. Y 'all know what I mean. He's tryin' to line up the elusive RAW. My question is, can ragga jungle infiltrate this kinda scene or are we only allowed to bang in dark dungeons full of mostly males in baggy pants and hooded sweatshirts (not that there's anything wrong with that either, underground is more real and fulfilling, just not as much $$$ and we all gotta eat...seen)

Re: expanding ragga

Jungle is just for the Ugly people....didnt you see that Twilight Zone episode?

Re: expanding ragga

the "beautiful" people want good, new music too...you just have to give it to them and not give them a chance to ask questions or give comments.(unless they are positive)

on melrose there is a very "hip" restraunt and club called dolce...the star types and the wanna-be star type love to hang here, to be seen...one big problem that they have had was the lack of hip music...after months and months of having the dj spin cyndi lauper and the like and getting very poor response in regard to the music the staff has decided that for the sake of the clubs image as well as the bottom line the music would have to change! last i heard they were looking for a london sound dnb vibe to flow through the place.

how this relates to you? well assuming that this gig you have lined up is as posh as you say it is. i would suggest setting the pace vs. being reactive. people love to feel that they are in the know about something that others aren't! myself included! the dj club cluture goes bananas about the newest vip remix or the feshest cut dubplate. i suggest that you use dolce's example of how you shouldn't do things. the problem you seem to have is having someone at a high level in this venture that will trust in you and stick by you. if you can create a detailed plan of what vibe you wish to create and get someone to give you the freedom to let you execute it then your home free. but it's been my experince that this will be your toughest challange!

one more thing! though i enjoy r.a.w.'s music i would suggest exploring all of your options before you decide on him. the city has tons of great ragga dj's that would do a fine job too.


[ steelrain - 22 Jan 2004 14:49 ]
[ steelrain - 22 Jan 2004 14:48 ]

Re: expanding ragga

Yo man I been working with "hollywood" type people for a while now and from my perspective most are totally clueless when it comes to street culture affairs, their primary concerns are looking like they have money and networking. Unless you trainwreck repetedly or go off into a really hard tangent most won't even notice the music, the few that will notice wont know the difference if a track is old or new. You might get a cat or two that know whats up (or at least think they do).
As an artist its up to you whether you want to display your style, provide background music for the "hollywood mingle", or isolate the few heds that are dancing, and keep them moving. The cats I work with are a lost cause man, they sit around listening to Limpbizkit and Eminem like its the s**t, they get all bent out of shape when say s**t like "turn that Vanilla Ice bulls**t off"
In my experience familiarity goes a long way in weening somebody into ragga. I recently played ProfSR's "Imperial" track for my 7 y/o daughter she started dancing around and she recognized the samples.
So if you want a warm friendly response I would suggest playing records that people know or think they know or stuff with recognizable samples.
As far as RAW goes i.m.o. that cat is living in the year 2012. There's junglists that aren't even fully aware of what this man is bringing let alone civilians. Thats one show I'd like to be at, it would be the best of both worlds for me. The people I network with and the music I love.
God that sounds too good to be true.

Re: expanding ragga

ProfeSR!!!!!!!!!
thats my boy!!!!!!!

Re: expanding ragga

i feel you! don't get me wrong anyone who's seen me post up here knows that i'm about as big of a fan of raw's as you can get...my suggestion was just a reminder that the city has soooooooo many skilled dj's that are hungry for a chance!


i wish you the best of luck in your future!

Re: expanding ragga

To elaborate: the promoter wants raw to do his ragga/dancehall/hip hop vibe (strictly 7" damn where does he get all those bomb joints?)
I know there are lots of bomb dj's but really raw...I mean his style is so exciting and as someone mentioned, still many people don know. So I hope he can play as many gigs in as many different venues as possible. He's the godfather, no? But check it, instead of playing their first night with 1,000 or so sceney people, he'll be banging qtopia for the true junglists...all 20 of them Raspek roots n kulcha