What is it like being a DJ in a scene like Oman?

THE WEEKEND WARRIOR - yru.weekend@gmail.com I attended a couple of events over the weekend and a party without the right kind of music might as well be dead. In Oman today, the party scene has totally picked up and many events organisers had found a way of livening a party up without sacrificing quality. While getting a full band offers lots of challenges, the best way to go and one that has dominated many of the events scenes is hiring DJs — yes the ones that mix music and electrify the crowd. For these two parties I attended however, both of the DJs proved to be a disappointment. Perhaps I was expecting more for a party attended by just a measly 200. While there had been breakout names in the country today, I came to the realisation that many of the wannabe DJs in Oman have some growing up to do. This of course is a bitter pill to swallow but every once in a while, a feedback like this is needed so the scene can grow and we can guarantee that the people, ultimately, are getting the best Oman has to offer. In a year-end party I hosted about two years ago, I was working with a DJ who had trouble pleasing the crowd. It was chaotic and although a lot of it can be attributed to the lack of skills of the party organiser, the DJ himself was lost. Not even finishing one track, a group of rowdy people was up his ears asking him to play something else. He looked like a pingpong ball barely able to finish a track as the requests kept on pouring and he did not know how to control his audience. The crowd was playing him not the other way around. It was an absolute nightmare. To be one of the greats, a person has to know several things. Knowing oneself is the most important and putting in the work and developing your own style and brand are the next. In a very competitive world, it is easy to see who’s going to be a trailblazer and who’s going to fade to oblivion. Oman has started to recognise some of its best. Names like DJ Pharaoh, DJ AB, DJ Khalifa among others have become recognisable names and these names had been drawing the crowd. When Nucleya was in Oman in the last quarter of 2017, it was easy to see why he is well loved by his fans. He was a performer through and through and just because a table separates the DJ from the crowd doesn’t mean that there can’t be a connection. Nucleya was a force to be reckon with and even just by observing, it is easy to see what makes him a great DJ. He has full control of his music — of what he plays and how he plays it. He communicates energy and him dancing on his own is already electrifying enough that there is no way the crowd won’t get infected by his level of enthusiasm and performance. He is a performer and he embraces it in full gear. I’ve seen a few DJs who don’t know how to connect. This is a problem. I remember this one DJ at a big event who lived in his own bubble. The music was so horrible he might as well be playing for himself inside his living room. There is a difference and I hope many would recognise this. There is a music you’d love to listen to in your own time but if you are performing for a crowd, you have to keep the beat flowing and please, pay attention to how the crowd is reacting. If you notice them drifting away, it might be your indication to pick up the pace. A little psychology is involved in being a DJ. Knowing when to pick up the pace, of what music to play, of how your crowd is reacting — these are things you have to pay attention to. Just because you have the command of the turntable or mixer doesn’t mean your crowd has to put up with you. You also have to think of a few things. How do you manage a scene like Oman? How do you find the right balance when playing in a diverse crowd? What kind of music should you play and how do you get the mixes right? These are just some of the initial questions and a lot more follow. It is also important to test out your mixes. Do not play it to your friends who would just say nice things to you. Don’t settle for the ‘yes’ people. If you want to grow, find someone who can provide you a bias-free feedback that way you know where you are and you know how to make yourself better. To be the great, one must be an apprentice first. Learn from the best. Set your eyes big and dream high. You might consider Oman as a small scene but real talent will always take you far — far beyond the borders of Oman and into the world stage. Why am I saying all of these? The truth is, I don’t know the tough work behind the mixes. I just see the finish product. As a listener, I know what works and what doesn’t and I give feedback even if it is unsolicited if it’s going to make someone or something better. Working in the lifestyle section, my goal is always to help budding artist. I am one of the first people who would be there to support those who’s dreaming of something and no one to support them. If you want to be noticed, dare to be different. To see someone from Oman breaking the international scene would be truly an honour. Do not take offense on advises like this, once you are performing better, praises will come. See you at your next performance.