DJ Meti Already is a veteran deejay from Chicago. His versatile style has been his calling card for many years. We had a chance to chop it up with him about being a deejay and how he gets the party going.
What would you say is the job of a deejay?
For me, the job of a DJ is to create a vibe or an energy whether it’s a corporate event, a nightclub, or a sweet 16 party. A DJ’s job is to put together a series of records that blend and connect together to create an atmosphere for people in that environment to enjoy themselves.
What music inspires you to get on the tables?
It could be anything really, I can hear one house record and have the whole mix played out in my head or at least half the mix. I could be watching a music video on YouTube and get inspired to mix. Also, my fellow DJs inspire me. When I see somebody going in on the decks, it makes me want to sharpen my game.
Talk a little about your journey as a DJ.
Well, living in Chicago house music originally made me want to deejay. I used to listen to the hot mix 5 on BMX as a kid and was fascinated by hearing songs that blended together so well you hardly knew when the last song ended and the first one began. However, I put that dream off until about 2008. My wife and I bought a house and I took the money left over and bought my whole DJ setup.I was already producing for about 11 years and knew a lot of DJs. So my DJ friends gave me crates of vinyl to practice and get my game up. I practiced on straight vinyl for two years before I even got Serato and my laptop. I started out doing weddings, then I did the first Coast 2 Coast DJs Artist showcase in Chicago. I then got a chance to have my own radio [slot] via guest mixing on DJ Averi Minor’s “Ave City Show.” I did Sho Shot Radio for a year and a half for Mix 1620 AM in Patterson, New Jersey, and ended up joining Blok Club DJs as a result of that.
What would you say are your go-to records to get the party started?
These days the Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic” is definitely a banger that would get things started. Any line dance record, forget it. The people will be on the floor and I can play them back to back and just chill.
