NY Elite: How do you define the art of DJing? 

DJ Dark Child: Like all forms of art, there are multiple techniques. In 1973, DJ Kool Herc, aka the founding father of hip hop, created the break (playing two records at once while extending the parts that will make everyone on the dancefloor go crazy). Fast forward to today and nearly everyone either knows a DJ or is a DJ. It’s no wonder why many of the mainstream DJs have prerecorded sets at their sold-out shows. No one really cares if DJ Snake or Calvin Harris is playing live because they’ve already made a name for themselves.

When you go see Afrojack (or any other famed DJ), you’re really paying to rage with your friends with the artist on an expensive set. For all the underground DJs, that’s not an option. The “prerecording” is really just practice for the actual show. If you really want to make it in the industry, a DJ must have a unique style and sound. You also have to rock your set like nobody’s business. You’ll also remember the Famous DJs by how great of a night you had. Even if you had a little too much fun and can’t put together the entire night (no judgments here), you’ll at least remember that the DJ was insane. 

NY Elite: Can you tell us about your debut as a DJ? 

DJ Dark Child: Sometime in mid 2008 in Kusadasi (Turkey) it’s where it all started. I remember I was on  vacation with my high school friends. First touch, first love with the mixer. For sure as an amateur who has never seen a DJ mixer or played a record ever.  

NY Elite: What are you currently working on?  

DJ Dark Child: As always on remixes, edits, mash-up songs and from now on working on my original things that will be released soon! 

First opening party after Covid19. I think I will sleep in the club that night! Lol 

NY Elite: How would you describe the influence of the DJ? How are the experience and the music transformed through your work? 

DJ Dark Child: If you want to be a good DJ, you basically need to eat, live, and breathe music 24/7. When you hear a great track, be ready to jot down a note at all times. Give up a lot of your free time to research, listening, learning software, music theory, practicing transitions, or scratching if you want to be that kind of DJ. Do charity events for your community, teach others how to DJ along the way and make sure your word and a handshake or text message is as good as a contract. To be a DJ nowadays is really easy. But to have the influence as a DJ when you step on the DJ booth it’s not as easy!

NY Elite: What were some of the main challenges and goals when starting out as a DJ?  

DJ Dark Child: The main challenge was the support I didn’t have from the local DJs, the hate they spread all over the club owners or to the managers. The main goal was to prove them wrong, to ‘beat’ them and I did. My success is much bigger than their hate.

NY Elite: What changes have happened to your DJ career? 

DJ Dark Child: It’s very normal when you are going for a walk on the long road there will be a lot of things. First, I changed my way of thinking, with that a lot of changes happened. I can tell one of them: I became a much more friendly person, much more positive and a much more funny guy and I think this is amazing.

NY Elite: Can you describe your state of mind during a DJ set? 

DJ Dark Child: Positive, always smiling, making people enjoy the night with my music, thinking about not doing something bad that might affect my career, and loving life.

NY Elite: Can you name your favorite tracks you have worked on?  

DJ Dark Child: I really did some good remixes for Albanian artists mainly but I can say for the moment I love the remix I did for Tesher – Jalebi Baby. It’s going really good.

NY Elite: What advice do you have for aspiring DJs? 

DJ Dark Child: To never give up! Never!

Instagram @djdarkchild