Outsiders: Bop Fantasies - On the fundamental trace of gesture in dj-ing history
Ek and other industry figures are spreading the myth that humans will soon be replaced by machines. Truth is, from simple tools to the most autonomous machines, human touch will always be of precious guide. The dawn of DJing saw the gesture revolutionize the approach to recorded material and mark a turning point in the practice. Hip-hop era elevates the turntable to the status of an instrument, the DJ to an instrumentalist, even that of a virtuoso performer. Automation is contributing to the erosion of gesture, which nevertheless remains fundamental to our approach to the practice. The DJ remains a conductor-operator coupled to the technical ensemble, with the active task of constructing the musical present. Written and composed by Maverick. Text transcription available at: https://maverickld.substack.com/