DJ

DJs Don’t React to Forbes’ Highest-Paid DJ List on Twitter

Darren Ressler Leave a Comment

DJs regularly take to Twitter to express their feelings — to promote an upcoming release or show, vent or share thoughts or be a little silly with their followers. With Forbes (a business new and financial publication that’s become obsessed with DJ culture) recently publishing its list of highest-paid DJs (see below), we thought Twitter would be awash with commentary — both positive, negative and indifferent — from DJs.

Well, we scoured Twitter looking for opinions on the aforementioned topic and came up empty.

Aside from a congratulatory tweet from Dillon Francis and retweets of the article by Addison Groove and Funkmaster Flex, even the most opinionated jocks were silent on Forbes‘ list. Even more curious was that not one DJ had a word to say about DJ Pauly D of MTV’s Jersey Shore fame earning an estimated $11 million.

Perhaps the old proverb is true after all: when money speaks, the truth is silent.

Forbes’ List of Top-Paid DJs

1. Tiësto: $22 million
2. Skrillex: $15 million
3. Swedish House Mafia: $14 million
4. David Guetta: $13.5 million
5. Steve Aoki: $12 million
6. Deadmau5: $11.5 million
7. DJ Pauly D: $11 million
8. Kaskade: $10 million
9. Afrojack: $9 million
10. Avicii: $7 million

Swiss DJ Caught Cheating in DJ Mag’s Top 100 Poll, More Suspected

Darren Ressler Leave a Comment

Here we go again. Miss Diamond, a Swiss DJ, has been ejected from DJ Mag’s 2012 Top 100 Poll because of cheating. More DJs are under suspicion of stuffing the ballot box, and their names will be made public shortly. Accusations of cheating date back as far as 2007. Here is DJ Mag’s official statement:

Martin Carvell, DJ Mag’s Managing Director said: “This year, DJ Mag has discovered ‘blatant’ cheating and several high-profile DJs are currently under investigation. Our methods of analysis are sophisticated but time consuming, and DJ Mag has to be absolutely sure that illegal methods have been used to acquire votes before evicting DJs from the poll.”

Today, DJ Mag has announced the eviction of one DJ from the poll.

Carvell continued: “As of today (Friday August 3rd) DJ Mag are eliminating Miss Diamond from Switzerland from the Top 100 DJs Poll. Based upon our analysis, it is quite clear that Miss Diamond, or those working on her behalf, have cheated. We will be notifying her forthwith. Others will follow over the coming weeks.

“DJ Mag recognises how important the Top 100 DJs poll is to many people around the world. The promotional teams of many DJs realise how much of a boost it is for a DJ’s career to appear in the Top 100, but illegal methods must not be used to influence the poll and will not be tolerated. Those found to be bringing the Top 100 DJs Poll into disrepute will be excluded from the poll.”

Carvell also said: “Anyone aware of any suspicious activity being undertaken by anyone employed, hired, or affiliated with a DJ can contact the magazine in the strictest confidence.”

President of Slovenia Urges Citizens to Vote For UMEK in DJ Mag’s Top 100 Poll [Video]

Darren Ressler Leave a Comment

With the annual rush of DJs begging asking fans for their vote in DJ magazine’s annual Top 100 poll now under way, Slovenian techno stalwart UMEK has received support from his nation’s highest office. President Danilo Türk is asking Slovenians to support UMEK by voting for him in the magazine’s annual poll. “Music is a universal language. It can bring us together in peace, love, unity and respect. UMEK stands for all that,” says President Türk in the promo video below. President Türk says he event hit the ballot box himself, urging Slovenians to do the same. This begs two questions: Which other DJs will ask their presidents or prime ministers for support? Will DJs begin endorsing politicians in return? Here’s hoping this charming endorsement remains a one-off and doesn’t become a trend.

NASA Astronaut To DJ in Space

Darren Ressler Leave a Comment

DJ culture will finally venture into space when NASA astronaut Joe Acaba becomes the first person to DJ in the International Space Station. Acaba, a fan of classic rock, will host a two-hour special radio broadcast on the Internet radio station Third Rock Radio while aboard the International Space Station, 240 miles above Earth. The Joe Show: New Rock from Space will debut at 4 pm EDT, Friday, August 3. Acaba’s show will feature anecdotes of Acaba’s experiences aboard the orbiting laboratory “while presenting new rock to listeners around the world.”

Obligatory press release gush from Acaba: “I’m excited to be the first astronaut to DJ from space on Third Rock Radio. From the recordings launched aboard the Voyager spacecraft to the wakeup songs on shuttle missions, NASA and music have a long history together. As a former educator, I also appreciate the strong links between music and math, one of the core STEM components that is so critical to my work as an astronaut.”