Disc Jockey Day

What Is Disc Jockey Day?

December 28 is "Disc Jockey Day," proposed by Osamu Ueno of Radio Press to honor Goro Itoi, a pioneer of Japanese radio DJing, and to support the development of the DJ profession. The date marks the anniversary of Itoi's death on December 28, 1984. Itoi was one of the early hosts of Nippon Broadcasting's "All Night Nippon," and in 1971 he completed a 50-hour live marathon broadcast. More broadly, the day celebrates the disc jockey (DJ) — the person who plays music to set the mood at radio stations, clubs, and events. The name "disc jockey" literally describes someone who "rides" (jockeys) records (discs), and this day honors the artistry and skill involved in delivering music to an audience.

The History of the DJ

• 1935: The concept of the radio DJ — the original "disc jockey" — emerges in the United States
• 1970s: Hip-hop DJs emerge from block parties in New York, and scratching techniques develop
• 1990s onward: Club DJs become central to the music scene as house, techno, and trance music spread
• Today: DJ software (such as Serato and rekordbox) and CDJ/PCDJ setups have lowered the barrier to entry for aspiring DJs

DJ and Club Culture in Japan

• Many well-known Japanese DJs have made their mark, including DJ KOO (of TRF), DJ OZMA, and DJ Matsunaga (of Creepy Nuts)
• Club scenes have flourished in areas like Shibuya, Nishi-Azabu, Osaka, and Sapporo
• DJ battles: Competitions testing scratching and mixing skills have helped produce world-class Japanese DJs

Getting Started as a DJ

• Entry-level gear: Beginner-friendly DJ controllers are available from a few tens of thousands of yen
• Free software: Free versions of VirtualDJ and rekordbox let you practice the basics
• DJ schools and trial lessons: Many cities offer short, intensive courses at dedicated DJ schools