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As you know I recently got a new Rec job as a staffer at the local teen center. Turns out that the Dj-in-residence is leaving for law-school, and as music student/hipster (yah right), I have been tapped to be his replacement at the tables.
I have Dj-ed halves of two dances so far, and have familiarized myself with the playlist, which constist of 10% 90s hip-hop, 20 bay area local hip-hop, and 70% complete and utter trash.
I ask the younger crowd of hatrackers, what kind of dance music you would like to hear me spin at a concert for 13-16 year olds? Give me an idea of what songs and artists will really make a favorite with the teens. I have to prepare for my first solo gig in july, when I will be manning the tables by myself for a whole dance. As a classical musician, I find most of the playlist apalling, and yet we have gotten great reactions to some of the worst sounding music in the last few dances, so I really have no concept of what is "cool." Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
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I'm still kind of new here and working on getting the terminology right.
And sorry, I have absolutely no idea what sort of music you could spin that would be appropriate for a teen center. Most hip-hop music isn't exactly clean.
Posts: 866 | Registered: Aug 2005
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I can take care of spot obscenity with an editing program, and you can buy most hip-hop clean from itunes as well. So the only real issue is what kids want to hear at a dance.
Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
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Anything with obscenely throaty bass, a cheap'n'easy catch and popularized artists will likely do well.
Basically, listen to the local hip hop station and jot down names - odds are, you can't go wrong. Even if they don't recognize the song, they'll recognize the artist, and in most cases, that'll be enough.
Posts: 4313 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Jump On It by Sir-Mix-A-Lot! Hmmm, this one is hit-or-miss, but the Cha-Cha Slide perhaps? Will Smith songs (maybe I'm dating myself here, I'm not sure if they're old enough to appreciate him?) DaRude's Sandstorm is a classic. I'm having a really hard time thinking of anything recent that's good for dancing as well as for the younger crowd. Perhaps some Black Eyed Peas.
Posts: 3636 | Registered: Oct 2001
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Ok, now that I've had some coffee my brain is working a little. You must include 1-6 Sean Paul songs, not sure if Bouncin in da Club is out of style yet but he has some brand new songs too. Songs with Lil' Jon in them will be good too, Get Low is fun but will be highly edited and I'm not sure if there'd be any song left .... Kids seem to like 50 Cent for some reason, gawd knows why but they'll love you for playing him, any of his songs, they'll know them all. A personal favorite of mine is Missy Elliott as well as the Ying Yang Twins, they're both fun with good beats and unique songs though again, will be highly edited.... Ciara's pretty hot right now, but not all her songs are danceable.
Now are we talking "Just the Two of Us" or "Parents Just Don't Understand"? Either way you cut it, without DJ Jazzy Jeff to back him up, Smith is no good. (I know Jazzy Jeff is Smith's producer now, but if he's not on the tables, there's no way.)
You can't go wrong with anything by Kanye West, especially the Golddigger song, golly the kids love that. Also, the Black Eyed Peas song about the "lovely lady lumps" is a big hit.
Are they only into hip-hop? My little sister is in that age range and is absolutely in love with all of the little indy kids that are getting in the scene now, like that Teddy Geiger guy. You might want to check that out.
Posts: 2596 | Registered: Jan 2006
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Uh, I'm talking Getting Jiggy With It. It's a classic! Fun to dance to, corny as heck, and good for nostalgia.
Posts: 3636 | Registered: Oct 2001
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Haha. I have no idea who Jazzy Jeff is or what he did for Will Smith, all I really know is the Big Willie Style era, and I've vaguely heard the Black Suits Comin' and that Hitch song... meh. I was unaware that there was a time where he was a good rapper/hiphopper/whathaveyou, haha.
And I heart Fresh Prince.
Posts: 3636 | Registered: Oct 2001
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Oh man, you are missin' out. Fresh Prince is Will Smith's hip-hop psuedonym and he and DJ Jazzy Jeff used to mix it up! This was before they produced and starred in the sitcom with the same name (Jazzy Jeff is Jazz in the show). Check out a song called "Parent's Just Don't Understand" and you'll know what I'm talkin' about. It's probably their most well known song.
And I can't believe I forgot to mention Outkast. The Andre 2000 side of last years Outkast album is guaranteed to have the kids jumpin'.
Posts: 2596 | Registered: Jan 2006
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quote: Charlie Daniels-The Devil went down to Georgia
How in the world is that "dance-able" music?
I can't contribute. My teens always listening to contemporary Christian/Christian rock, so most of the stuff everyone suggests above I've never even heard of.
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They play that song at my camp's dances actually (which is campers six to sixteen and they place some really innappropriate stuff, content-wise, but that's besides the point) and the fun with that song is everyone stops where they are and shouts along the lyrics. It helps to have a group of people who know it (as in us counselors)... otherwise, it might be a little strange!
Posts: 3636 | Registered: Oct 2001
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That's what I'm saying. I know the song by heart -- I can sign it word for word. I love singing along with the song.
But I have never DANCED to it -- it goes so fast and is mainly just spoken words -- what steps do you do to that? (except I could see dancing to the part where the fiddles actually play..."fire on the mountain")
quote:Originally posted by Flaming Toad on a Stick: You don't have to play straight hip-hop. A lot of good rock music is danceable. Some slow songs are always good too.
I tend to agree, but if its rock most of the kidsjust plain won't listen. It would be a different story if they were a little older, but the little experience I've had tells me that these teens like only what they like, and the former DJ has told me that they are almost guaranteed not to like anything they haven't heard before. Since I haven't be listening to hip-hop, I have no idea what they've heard, but I do know it isn't Coldplay, unfortunately.
Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
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quote:Haha. I have no idea who Jazzy Jeff is or what he did for Will Smith, all I really know is the Big Willie Style era
Blastphemy. Back when Will was Fresh Prince, he won a rap grammy (the first ever, iirc). Although I personally think his latest album might be better than anything he's ever done. The title track, in particular, just about exactly sums up why I don't listen to much of the newer hip hop.
Posts: 5462 | Registered: Apr 2005
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.... Kids seem to like 50 Cent for some reason, gawd knows why but they'll love you for playing him, any of his songs, they'll know them all. A personal favorite of mine is Missy Elliott as well as the Ying Yang Twins, they're both fun with good beats and unique songs though again, will be highly edited.... Ciara's pretty hot right now, but not all her songs are danceable.![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
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