Amy Winehouse kills DJing dead
Any shred of coolness left in the diseased, rotting carcass known as “DJing” has been pretty much killed off for good, thanks in part to UK celebrity car crash Amy Winehouse.
Winehouse has started a club night called “Snakehips” at the Monarch pub in Camden, England. For the club’s first night, she arranged a “DJ battle” between herself and one DJ Bioux. So while fans and photographer crowded around the decks, Winehouse did what she does best: drink, stumble around and cause a scene. What she did not do was play a single record. Sigh. Remember when she was good at singing?
Between Serato (which celebrates 10 years of existence this year) allowing even a monkey to beat-match (it’s true!) and dubious celebrities standing around getting wasted being constituted as a “DJ gig,” calling yourself a DJ in 2008 (unless you’re a true ninja like A-Trak or Diplo) is just not hot, people. And this is coming from someone who calls himself a DJ, so don’t trip.
All of which is why I’m in the market for a new guitar. As scary as it sounds, even middle-of-the-roadsters like John Mayer will always be cooler than 99% of most DJs or computer-powered “bands.” Talent trumps trendy every time. Spread the word...
—Scott T. Sterling