Disc jockey Facts for Kids

A DJ performing live with a musician.

"DJ" redirects here. For other uses, see DJ (disambiguation).

A disc jockey, often called a DJ, is someone who plays recorded music for people to listen or dance to. They often use a microphone to introduce songs or talk to the audience. DJs are important for parties, radio shows, and clubs. They choose songs that fit the mood and keep the energy high.

Different Kinds of DJs
DJ Equipment and Tools
- Turntables and Mixers
- Digital DJing
Images for kids
See also

Different Kinds of DJs

There are many types of DJs, each with a special way of playing music.

Radio DJs: Music on the Airwaves

A radio DJ plays music on a radio station. They use digital music files, like MP3s, or CDs. Their job is to announce the songs, share interesting facts, and sometimes chat with listeners. They help you discover new music and keep you company during your day.

Club DJs: Making People Dance

A club DJ plays music at places like a nightclub, rave, or disco. They use a special sound system called a PA system, which includes an amplifier and loudspeakers, to make the music loud and clear. Their main goal is to keep everyone dancing and having fun by mixing songs together smoothly.

Hip Hop DJs: The Art of Scratching

A hip hop DJ uses special equipment called turntables and vinyl records. They are known for a technique called scratching, where they move the record back and forth to create unique sounds. Hip hop DJs often work with other musicians who do rapping, creating the beats and sounds for the rhymes.

Reggae DJs: Toasters and Chants

Reggae DJs play instrumental versions of reggae songs. Then, they use a microphone to "toast" over the music. Toasting is a rhythmic type of chanting or boasting, often making up words on the spot. It's a bit like rapping, but with a reggae style.

DJ Equipment and Tools

DJs use a variety of tools to create their mixes and sounds.

Turntables and Mixers

Many DJs use two turntables, which are machines that play vinyl records. Between the turntables, they have a DJ mixer. This device lets them control the volume of each song, adjust the sound (like bass and treble), and smoothly switch between different songs. A special control called a crossfader helps them blend one song into another without any gaps.

Digital DJing

Today, many DJs use CDJs, which are like advanced CD players, or even computers with special DJ software. This digital equipment allows them to store thousands of songs and use effects to change the sound. They can still mix and scratch, but with digital files instead of physical records.

Images for kids

Club DJ Robert Hood performing.
A radio station DJ in a studio, playing music for listeners.
A DJ's setup in a nightclub, showing three CDJs, two turntables for vinyl records, and a DJ mixer.
DJ Pete Rock performing at a show in 2016.
DJ Spooky at the Sundance Film Festival in 2003, using two Technics SL-1200 turntables and a DJ mixer.
A Numark DM2002X Pro Master DJ mixer. This mixer allows a DJ to control the volume and tone of different sound sources and smoothly switch between songs.
A screenshot of Mixxx DJ software running on Mac OS X. This software lets DJs mix music on a computer.
Grand Wizzard Theodore (right). He invented the "DJ scratch" technique in the early 1970s.
A vintage DJ station with a DJ mixer placed between two turntables.
A Pioneer DDJ-RX controller running with rekordbox software on a computer.
French electronic music producer and DJ Miss Kittin performing.