August 7th is the Deadline to Enter the Burna Boy #LASTLASTDJCHALLENGE
Here’s a reminder that Heavy Hits Record Pool & Atlantic Records have partnered to create a DJ challenge for Burna Boy and his smash record “Last Last.” DJs from around the world are welcome to enter the “Last Last DJ Challenge” for a chance to win $1,000 and an annual subscription to the Heavy Hits Record Pool.
All the details, rules, and regulations were shared in a previous blog, but to quickly recap, to enter you must
1. Record a (60 second or less) video routine of yourself DJing using Burna Boy’s single “Last Last” and any other of his other hit singles listed in the playlist below. You can use original and remixes of the records in your routines as well as samples of other songs from Burna Boy’s catalog on Atlantic Records.
2. Upload your video routine as an Instagram feed post (before Sunday, August 7th at 11:59pm EST). Make sure to use the hashtag #LASTLASTDJCHALLENGE as well as tag @heavyhitspool and @burnaboygram in your Instagram post.
You’re competing for the following prizes:
Grand Prize: $1000 and an annual subscription to Heavy Hits Record Pool.
2nd Place: $500 and an 6 month subscription to Heavy Hits Record Pool.
3rd Place: $250 and a 3 month subscription to Heavy Hits Record Pool.
4th/5th Place: 1 month subscription to Heavy Hits Record Pool.
Again, don’t forget to READ THIS BLOG for all the fine print. You don’t want to submit what would have been the winning entry only to find you were disqualified.
Enter today!
Is Bass Here to Stay?
I don’t need to tell you the difference between a song recorded in the ’70s or ’80s and a song recorded in 2022, but since it’s such a short answer, I’ll tell you anyway; bass. If you want to be more precise, bass and volume. As DJs, we all know this to be true. Now, we could argue back and forth about whether this is a good thing or not, but since the answer to that question is also obvious (it’s not a good thing), let’s skip that, too. The salient question today is: will dynamic range ever make a comeback?
Part of the reason songs are recorded with “all maximum volume all the time,” along with “all maximum bass at all time,” mode on is because most music is being played on low-fidelity sound systems, so as long as laptops and earbuds are the standard, music is going to have to be cranked past 11 with limiters and compressors just to make it audible. Gone are the days when listeners trained their ears to listen for nuances in the quiet parts of songs, for gone are the days of songs with quiet parts.
DJs are constantly asking “how can I make an old song sound good?” What they’re really asking is how to make an old song sound like it was recorded today. They play a song from the ’70s, or the ’80s, or even the ’90s and it isn’t as loud as a modern song. The bass doesn’t pound as much. They mistake that feature for an error, and try to correct it by remixing the track with modern digital drums, inadvertently sucking the life, and soul, out of the song.
No doubt, if you asked DJs if musicians will ever again produce songs with greater dynamic range, or if dance tracks will be released that don’t have bass drums pounding at earthquake levels at all times, they would respond with a no. After all, DJs and producers are busy altering the music of the past to remove those aspects, so why would they create new music with the same flaws?
Maybe they’d be right. Or, maybe what’s trendy today will be passé tomorrow, and music will cycle back to a more listener-friendly, nuanced approach. What do you think music will sound like in 20 years?
The Hits of 2022– So Far
Unbelievably, we’re halfway through 2022. Even typing that year feels a bit surreal. We used to imagine partying like it was 1999, and vowing to meet up in the year 2000, when we’d be fully grown, and suddenly we’re 22 years beyond that? Inconceivable! Nonetheless, here we are. And while in many ways the hot music of 2022 feels like it would be right at home on a list of the top hits of 1992, even if the styles of music haven’t changed, the songs have, and Heavy Hits is, as always, on top of it.
Let’s recap the hottest songs of the year, so far, with our Heavy Hits playlists.
The trend of sloooowed down tempos continues for hip hop artists in 2022. BPMs in the 70s and 80s, once unthinkable for the dance floor, are now the norm, but producers are using syncopation and off-kilter beats to inject motion and energy into even the most lethargic of tempos. Both Nicki Minaj and Gunna clock in with songs played at a dirge-like 60 BPM, a speed once reserved for only the slowest of slow jams, yet both send dance floors into an energetic frenzy. Such is the state of hip hop in the ’20s.
Well, now we see where all the uptempo hip hop has gone. It’s masquerading as pop music, which makes perfect sense, as hip hop long ago became the new pop. Bump that BPM up into the 120s and your track will leap from the hip hop charts to the pop charts. No more Huey Lewis or Bon Jovi in 2022. Search far and wide, but you will find no guitars in these songs. It’s pure digital bliss every step of the way, quantized to the nth degree for your beat-matching pleasure. And don’t be fooled– this is not a playlist of Drake’s greatest hits, he’s just that hot right now, with an amazing seven songs on the chart! That said, for my money the real winner here is Jiggle Jiggle, a song that would be equally at home on the hip hop chart, or on any Music for Robots chart.
2022 So Far – Electronic / Dance
For all you club DJs out there, here’s what you’ve been waiting for. This invaluable list includes all the biggest bangers and floor-packers released thus far in 2022. That Middle Eastern track you’ve been hearing but couldn’t find? It’s from DJ Snake, and it’s here. So is the crowd favorite “Liquor Store” by Joel Corry. Load up the tracks on this playlist and you’re good to go.
2022 So Far – Reggae / Dancehall
Who’s playing reggae in 2022? If your answer is “I am!” then you need to check out this playlist. It has every one of the big hits you need for your next jam. And if you aren’t a reggae DJ, and still think dancehall DJs are spinning Bob Marley, you are long overdue for a refresher course in this music. Listen to Vroom and tell me that won’t fit into your pop or house set. Can you really say you can’t mix this hot Shaggy track into your hip hop set? This ain’t grandpa’s reggae music!
Latin music has exploded in the past decade in a way that no other kind of music has. Long gone are the days when DJs eschewed this entire segment of music, and only begrudgingly snuck one Latin song into the mix at the end of the night to appease a handful of requests. In 2022, Latin music is EVERYWHERE, and needs to be a part of nearly every DJs set. Lucky for you, Heavy Hits has you covered, with tracks that will fit into every format. Daddy Yankee will mix in nicely with a club-tempo house set, while Dimelo Flow has you hip hop DJs covered. And if you’re playing primarily Latin music, the entire list is banger after banger, guaranteed to keep your audience happy for the entire evening.
If you’re in the U.K., perhaps you turned your nose up at the hip hop chart above, and muttered something about that being hip hop for those Yanks across the pond. Fear not, for here at Heavy Hits we have you covered. We’re worldwide, with DJs from all over the planet of Earth working tirelessly to compile playlists of the hottest tracks everywhere. That said, I recommend hip hop DJs in America and elsewhere take a long listen to this playlist. While the artists and songs may not be familiar, the songs are all winners, and you owe it to your audiences to introduce them to some of these sounds. Sneak a Knucks track into the mix and see how your crowd reacts. And if they don’t like it? Play it again. Play it 20 times in a row if you have to– eventually they will fall into line!
Let’s move on from the U.K. to… everywhere else! As I wrote above, Heavy Hits employs DJs and writers from all over the globe, and together we’ve compiled one final playlist comprised of the best of the best from all over this wonderful world in which we live. Every track is a standout, but let me point out two that you can start with, as you peruse the entire list: “Degaine” from French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura and “Balader” from Algerian rapper Soolking. If you haven’t yet began incorporating international tracks into your playlists, here’s your chance to start.
And that’s 2022… so far!
Burna Boy #LASTLASTDJCHALLENGE – Enter to win $1000 & an annual subscription to Heavy Hits!
Heavy Hits Record Pool & Atlantic Records present a DJ challenge for Burna Boy and his smash record “Last Last.” DJs from around the world are welcome to enter the “Last Last DJ Challenge” for a chance to win $1000 and an annual subscription to Heavy Hits Record Pool. DJ Poizon Ivy and Burna Boy’s Tour DJ, Spaceship Billy along with the Heavy Hits crew will host and help judge the competition. Don’t forget to check out Burna Boy’s new album “Love, Damini” on all music platforms.
Prizes
- Grand Prize: $1000 and an annual subscription to Heavy Hits Record Pool.
- 2nd Place: $500 and an 6 month subscription to Heavy Hits Record Pool.
- 3rd Place: $250 and a 3 month subscription to Heavy Hits Record Pool.
- 4th/5th Place: 1 month subscription to Heavy Hits Record Pool.
How to Enter
- 1. Record a (60 second or less) video routine of yourself DJing using Burna Boy’s single “Last Last” and any other of his other hit singles listed in the playlist below. You can use original and remixes of the records in your routines as well as samples of other songs from Burna Boy’s catalog on Atlantic Records.
- 2. Upload your video routine as an Instagram feed post (before Sunday, August 7th at 11:59pm EST). Make sure to use the hashtag #LASTLASTDJCHALLENGE as well as tag @heavyhitspool and @burnaboygram in your Instagram post.
Routines will be judged on the following criteria.
a. 35 Points – Creativity and originality – use of wordplay, toneplay, or drumming.
b. 35 Points – Technical Skills – Demonstration of proficient turntablist techniques, overall flow, and execution of routine.
c. 30 Points – Charisma – Their DJ presence with their gestures, body language, body tricks, and online swag.
The top submissions will be announced on August 17th. Winner will be chosen by Burna Boy’s DJ – Spaceship Billy and our Afrobeats connoisseur, DJ Poizon Ivy along with the Heavy Hits crew.
Rules & Additional Details
– Contest is open to participants worldwide (no purchase necessary to enter). All videos must be submitted before Sunday, August 7th at 11:59pm EST and will be judged by the Heavy Hits crew based on creativity, charisma, technical skill, and originality along with consideration from follower feedback (comments, likes, etc).
– Mandatory Hashtags to enter the contest #LastLastDJChallenge @burnaboygram @HeavyHitsPool
– Instagram videos must predominantly use the song “Last Last” and any other of his other hit singles listed in the playlist below. You can use original and remixes of the records in your routines as well as samples of other songs from Burna Boy’s catalog on Atlantic Records.
– Videos must be no more than 60 seconds in length and posted on entrants Instagram timeline
Not a member? SIGN UP (DJs Only*)
*Heavy Hits is for DJs, producers & music professionals only. Verification of this is required before access can be granted.
June 2022 Video Recap
Heavy Hits is more than a record pool. You obviously know about our blog– you’re reading it right now– but do you know about our YouTube channel? It’s full of information and tutorials designed to help you become a better DJ or producer. Here’s a recap of what was shared on our YouTube channel this month.
First up, our resident YouTube creator DJ And One teaches us how to use your EQs when DJ’ing.
Next, a how-to for that ever-controversial sync button.
And finally, he shows you how to avoid getting stuck when DJ’ing.
If At First They Don’t Dance, Play It Again. And Again. And Again…
What do you do if you play new song that you love, but it clears the dance floor? Do you quickly mix into something familiar that you know will bring dancers back to the floor? Or, do you let it play, figuring the damage is already done? There isn’t much else you can do, right? Wrong. There is a third option, and it’s the one that Larry Levan famously chose at the Paradise Garage in 1981.
I’ll say up front that this story may be apocryphal or exaggerated, but I’ve heard it from several sources, and all claim it’s completely true.
When West End Records released the 12″ single for Taana Gardner’s post-disco track “Heartbeat,” they placed a remix by New York legend (god?) Larry Levan on the a-side of the record. It ran for 9:34, and was very different from the music being played by Larry at Paradise Garage, and by most club DJs at the time. In an era when most clubs were playing High-NRG disco records that clocked in at around 130 BPM, and even Levan, who played slower music, was consistently playing in the 118-125 range, “Heartbeat” positively crawls around the turntable at a snail’s pace of 98 BPM.
The first time Levan played the song, the entire dance floor cleared. Guests went to get food or punch in the other room, or took a seat to rest. This didn’t phase Larry. Not long after, when the dance floor was again full, he put “Heartbeat” on again, to the same result. This time, he didn’t wait to play it again. He let it run for the full 9:34, then followed it up with… you guessed it… the same song! Another 9:34 of “Heartbeat” played to an empty dance floor. Then another. Some say he played it 20 times in a row that night. At first, the crowd staged a sit-in on the dance floor, glaring up at the booth, while Levan smiled back down on his audience. Eventually, it worked, as people began to nod their heads or tap their feet to the song’s infectious beat. Some relented, and started dancing, and that broke the spell. Suddenly the entire room was dancing and chanting along.
Heartbeat
It makes me feel so weak
Heartbeat
It makes me feel so weak
One dancer later said “we were Stockholm Syndrome’d into loving that song,” but whatever the case, from then on, “Heartbeat” became a Paradise Garage anthem, and the song blew up in clubs and on the radio, and became one of the top-selling 12″ singles of all time. It also became a hip hop staple, and has been sampled by dozens of rappers including De La Soul, Eazy-E, Lil Wayne, Black Moon, Mos Def, and others.
I don’t recommend you try this yourself. Larry Levan was revered by his audience in a way no DJ ever has been before or since. He could get away with things no one else could, including playing the same song 20 times in a row. Or– maybe you should try this? If you do, be sure to let us know how it went by leaving a comment!
The Party Was a Huge Success! No One Danced!
If no one danced to the music you played at an event, did you fail as a DJ?
The answer to that question depends in large part on the sort of event you played. If you’re playing at a park or in an art gallery, or in any forum where your music is meant to be the background to other activities, then you won’t expect to see any dancing, and any you do see is likely to seem out of place. But what if you are DJ’ing a wedding, or a company party, or any of the typical party events that DJs often end up playing, and few, or no, guests are dancing? What if you’re DJ’ing in a night club, and no one is dancing? Does that automatically equate to a failure on your part?
Not necessarily.
I’ve been DJ’ing long enough to learn that not everyone goes out to wedding, party, or even a club, to dance. Especially at family gatherings you will find that some, often most, of the guests are there to catch up with relatives and friends. They are they to mingle, eat, chat, and generally socialize, and dancing isn’t on their radar. They may well appreciate the music as a nice background element to the party, but they aren’t going to venture onto the dance floor.
There are always some guests like the ones I just described, and at times, that description applies to most of the guests. Some groups just aren’t dancers. That said, how do you know if people aren’t dancing because they don’t want to, or if they aren’t dancing because you’re playing the wrong music?
There’s an easy answer to that question. They’ll let you know.
If there are people ready and willing to dance, but they don’t like the music, they’re going to come up to you and make requests. They’re going to tell you what they want to hear. So if you have an empty dance floor and a long line of people making requests, you need to make a change in the music you’re playing. On the flip side, if no one is dancing, but guests are for the most part ignoring you, that means they are content with what they’re doing. Unless you’ve been specifically instructed by the person hiring you to get them dancing no matter what, you’re better off letting them continue to enjoy the party in whatever way they want to enjoy it.
Groundhog Day is Here. Again.
What was the #1 song in 2021? The answer depends on who you ask.
Coleman Insights Media Research conducts an annual study that they call the Contemporary Music SuperStudy, and it offers what is probably the most accurate insight into what songs are actually most popular with the public.
The results of the most recent study are interesting. In 2020, the number one song was Ed Sheeran’s “The Shape of You.” What song was number one in 2019? Ed Sheeran’s “The Shape of You.” Two years in a row! But what about last year? What was the number one song in 2021?
Ed Sheeran’s “The Shape of You.”
More than that, only one of the top 10 songs last year wasn’t also in the top 10 in 2020. The new song, by the way, is Adele’s “Easy On Me.” The other 9 changed places a bit, but were the same two years in a row.
What’s going on? This wasn’t always the case, and it isn’t just that the Coleman Insights study is skewed. Old songs are topping the charts everywhere recently. I don’t have an easy answer for this, although I could hazard a guess or two. But first, I’d like to know what you, the reader, thinks is going on. Please share your thoughts as comments on any of our social media channels.
May 22 Video Recap
Heavy Hits is more than a record pool. You obviously know about our blog– you’re reading it right now– but do you know about our YouTube channel? It’s full of information and tutorials designed to help you become a better DJ or producer. Here’s a recap of what was shared on our YouTube channel this month.
First up, our resident YouTube creator DJ And One teaches us how to make our first DJ mix in Ableton.
And later this month, he shared with us 3 accessories every DJ absolutely needs.
When Did Music Stop Mattering?
I know the majority of my audience here are DJs, and for the majority of DJs, music matters. It matters a lot! Even for those of us who aren’t particularly big fans of music, it still matters in that it is at the root of our livelihood, so I’ll open this with a disclaimer that I’m not talking about you. I am instead talking about nearly everyone else. Music doesn’t seem as important to people the way it once did.
Before the advent of YouTube, Spotify, and other places where a person can hear every song ever recorded, any time he wants to hear it, for free, music was not as easy to find. Before the advent of the mp3, where a person can download every song ever recorded, any time he wants to hear it, for free, it was even harder to find. If you wanted to hear a song, but didn’t own a physical copy of it, you either had to wait for it to come on the radio, find a friend who had a copy, or you simply didn’t get to hear that song.
Which of the above scenarios is better for a music fan? The initial response might be that it’s better now than ever, but is it? Talk to someone in their teens or early 20s about music, and be prepared for nonchalance, at least in comparison to the fervor that you used to hear from that age group in the pre-digital era. Young people used to live for music. Finding a certain song was a quest worthy of Aeneas, and many of childhood’s happiest hours were whiled away seeking an elusive song. Now one types the first few letters of the title into their phone, or possibly even asks Siri to look for it, and the song appears as if by magic.
Watch old footage of teens seeing Elvis perform, or hearing the Beatles play, and compare that to even the most extreme fan reactions to Justin Bieber or BTS in 2022. It’s apples and oranges. Hell, it’s apples and shag carpet. There’s no comparison.
Instant access to everything has made people care deeply about nothing. When you saved your money and bought one record, you listened to that record over and over until you had it memorized. Even 40 years later you can play a song from 1982 for a teen of that time, and despite not having heard the song since the Reagan administration, that 50-something will be able to sing along to every word, and describe in detail what happened in the corresponding music video. Ask a teen of today what songs were popular a year ago and prepare for a blank stare.
This is not an indictment of the youth of today, nor of the internet. It’s merely a report on the state of music in 2022. If you, like me, believe that music has an almost magical transcendental power to alter emotions, shape ones life, and even heal, then perhaps you wonder what can be done to make music matter again.
What do you think can be done? Or, do you think we are past the point of no return? Or, is this cyclical? Will the youth of a later generation rebel against the surfeit of music on demand, and again find the love of music that is today lost? Tell me in the comments!