DJ Gerrybeatz: renowned DJ
SPOTLIGHT: A segment where spotlight our favourites from different industries.
As a continuation of our new segment where we spotlight selects from our favorites this week, we felt it right to bring in another DJ, but from a different genre. DJ Gerrybeatz is a very good friend of the bloggers. We mean us, and were very delighted when he was happy to answer our billion questions! Just a little back story, one of the bloggers, Lizzie, actually grew up together with the DJ, so it's been remarkable to see his growth over time! Watching him at his craft and excel at it has been nothing short of amazing. So before this gets very mushy, we are happy to share his backstory and experiences that he gladly shed light on.
Where did it all begin?
My journey started back in 2009 when l was in high school, where l used to do school gigs and deejay for fun as part of the entertainment committee. After that, I went on to deejay at family and church gatherings during school breaks. During this period, l really felt a strong sense of passion and devoted my time learning more about deejaying. After high school, I met some awesome DJs who allowed me to play and learn at their resident clubs and bars. This included some popular spots in Harare, which included Chez Ntemba, Mega 2, Wing Wah, Skyy Bar, etc. Now l calls them my big brothers that is Dollarbill, Icytat, DJ Walle, Love King, Seductive Gee & DJ Iroq, to mention a few.
What is the worst thing that can happen on a night?
From my previous horrid experiences, about one stands out in my mind, and l am constantly feeling anxious when l play. So the worst thing would be someone throwing their drink at me while I am playing; that is a recipe for disaster from messing up the DJ gear to the night's ambiance.
Most memorable set?
This one is quite difficult, but l would say they haven’t been a set that l do not remember, whether big or small. My most memorable set has to be my Bendo Na Bendo debut in Shanghai, China, back in 2018. It wasn’t talked about quite as much as my 2019’s Bendo appearances. As a newbie to the Bendo community, this was my most ambitious and perhaps most technically involved set to date so far. From beginning to the end, l could feel the energy in the crowd radiating in me; I think what was more fascinating was how diverse that crowd was. On the inside Global harbor, a semi-large sphere was placed in front of me, where l would be inside. Surprisingly the view from the 47th-floor displayed graphics ideally befitting the spherical shape of the windows.
What are currently your main challenges as a DJ? What is it about DJing, compared to, say, producing your own music, that makes it interesting for you?
In the circles of djing, there's an intense culture of networking and socializing which comes with it. For a person like me, who is very personable on the decks at the same time, introverted, it's hard to balance that once I'm off the decks. But so many questions are constantly running through my mind. How can I make this experience for my crowd memorable, purgative, fun and get them to see music from my perspective? How can I do better for THIS crowd and THIS moment? Because in that scene, everything is happening so fast, and instant choices of song selection can make or break the vibe. When l started djing, my passion was just about playing music and making energies connect, the idea of music production even came to mind, but it died a quick death because l never had a passion for it
How important is building a real relationship with the music you're playing for your own approach?
It's all about the feeling, the energy l get from certain music. It's easy for me to transcend that energy to the audience once l make a connection. Indeed, there's are a lot of music globally, but once songs ring in your ears, they can never be permuted by the vast number of other songs.
What do you usually start with when preparing for a set?
Firstly, it’s about the theme. What is it about? Is it musically inclined or open format? Then from there, I start listening to lots of music concerning the set. Venue-wise, I will try to understand the DJing environment, analyze my tracks thoroughly, create hot cues, looping cues, and markers. This, for me, is enough to take my audience on a journey.
What are some of the considerations that go into deciding which track to play next? What makes two tracks a good fit? How far do you tend to plan ahead during a set?
It depends on what style I’m playing; mostly, I’m doing harmonic mixing, which means mixing in key. This goes back to energies; though songs have similar bpm’s, it doesn’t make them a perfect fit; their energy might not connect. But every song is carefully chosen, considering how well the song is known and received in the musical circles. Bpm, Key, Spontaneity makes two songs a good fit for me, the less predictable, the better. I'm always at least two songs ahead in my mind when I'm djing.
Do you believe in the possibility of "reading an audience" – and how do you put it into practise? Is the relationship with the dancers a collaborative one or a “battle”?
Not only is this a belief, but I'm also sure of it. Sometimes, as a resident DJ, the relationship with dancers is collaborative because we get accustomed to each other. Sometimes the dancers may not understand the course I'm taking. In the end, it might seem like a battle where the dancers don't follow the music. But, as a guest DJ, this narrative is different, and l will be trying to tell my story from beginning to finish.
We have come across a WeChat group chat that shares afro house music. How did that come about?
In China, other DJs and I who liked afro house music decided to create a group where we would share our new mixes, specifically afro house music. Eventually, we decided to add more people to the group who are fanatics of house music. Since then, more people were involved, it became a public group. Anyone can share anything about house music, from music shows, trends, and the latest tracks. One of the highlights is when Black Coffee came to Shanghai, this group managed to make most of us house lovers meet in Shanghai, and several friendships brewed from it.
What is one subgenre you think doesn't get the attention it deserves?
Avant Garde doesn’t get all the attention it deserves
What is one track that never gets old for you?
Someday by Black Coffee. It never gets old for me.
What is one track that got popular that you can't stand?
Despacito. The problem is the chorus got memed and it sound like l have heard it 1000 with people acting like it was a pop rap/rnb song.
What are your top songs in your subcategory?
Check out my Spotify playlist which features psychedelic, mellow deep house tunes!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5nowXbvM2LLAfQRw3soJMx?si=cc5ee7659a8e4541
