ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — One of the longest-running gatherings for professional DJs will return to Atlantic City in August, bringing an estimated 5,000 attendees from across the United States and around the world to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
DJX will be held Aug. 10 through 13, marking the event’s 36th year. Shawn Hazan, a partner in Hazan Media Group, said the gathering has grown from a traditional industry trade show into a four-day experience featuring education, live performances, new technology, music production, content creation and networking.
“We have representation — about 5,000 attendees that come from 43 states, 12 different countries, and growing,” Hazan said during an appearance on the AC Mike Lopez Radio Show on WOND.
Hazan said Atlantic City remains an ideal home for the event because of its location and accessibility to DJs throughout the region.
“Atlantic City, as you know, is our home,” he said. “There’s a great amount — it’s a great driveable distance for DJs.”
The event is designed for a broad cross-section of the DJ industry, including mobile and wedding DJs, nightclub performers, corporate-event professionals, studio producers and people who are just beginning to explore music production.
“It’s an event that is focused on all DJ tribes,” Hazan said, adding that beginners can attend classes while experienced professionals can examine new equipment, learn business strategies and make industry connections.
DJX will feature approximately 36 to 38 educational sessions and workshops, along with nearly 30,000 square feet of exhibits showcasing equipment, software and other technology.
Hazan said the educational program will cover everything from emceeing and scratching to event production, music creation and building a profitable business.
“It’s not just a transactional kind of trade show, as it used to be,” Hazan said. “It’s definitely more an event where there are activations and gatherings and pop-ups and exciting moments.”
Technology, Gaming and Content Creation
This year’s theme is focused on providing DJs with “blueprints to the future,” according to Hazan.
That includes helping working DJs find jobs, improve their technical skills, expand into event production and understand emerging technology.
“The theme of this year’s event is really blueprints to the future — the roadmap to the future,” Hazan said.
The show will also examine the increasing overlap between music, gaming, streaming and content creation. Hazan said attendees will be able to explore technology that allows users to create beats using modified gaming controllers.
“Today, with the technology that’s out there, there’s a convergence in gaming,” he said. “You can now create an Xbox joystick to make beats, which we’re excited about.”
An expanded production and remixing area called “The Edit” will include content-creation tools intended to help performers record and distribute video of their work.
“Being an influencer or being able to video what you’re doing as a whole — to grab the content as you perform and learn and mix — is all part of the same thing,” Hazan said.
The event will also include the Brand Box, an area focused on helping DJs obtain equipment, build businesses and make use of artificial intelligence, automation and other back-end services.
Hazan said those additions reflect the changing nature of the profession, as DJs increasingly become producers, video creators, entrepreneurs and live entertainers.
Vinyl Makes a Comeback
Despite the emphasis on new technology, DJX will also highlight one of the industry’s oldest formats.
Hazan said the event will feature a vinyl lounge where attendees can bring records and perform.
“This year, what we have thematically is you’re going to see a lot of vinyl, where there’s a renaissance of vinyl,” he said.
The vinyl lounge is being developed in collaboration with Electro-Voice Audio and will give attendees an opportunity to perform near the entrance to the event.
DJX will also offer scratching workshops, live battles and informal spaces where artists can play music and meet other performers.
The Cypher Social is described as an “electronic drum circle” where music creators can gather, collaborate and perform.
“If you just want to play and meet people, get together,” Hazan said. “It’s an electronic drum circle, if you will, for creators of music.”
Jellybean Benitez, Arthur Baker and Sid Wilson
The event’s opening-night celebration at HQ2 will feature producer and DJ Jellybean Benitez, whose career has included work with some of the biggest names in dance and popular music.
“If there’s a guy that’s had an influence on this industry, he’s certainly one of them,” Hazan said.
Benitez will also host a pop-up shop called Jellybean’s Funhouse, giving attendees an opportunity to meet him during the event.
Producer Arthur Baker will also appear. DJX plans to screen a documentary about Baker following a question-and-answer session. Hazan said Baker has also completed a book.
“Between the two of them, it’s a pretty heavy-hitting lineup,” Hazan said of Benitez and Baker.
Sid Wilson of the metal band Slipknot is also connected to the event through the Stop the Panic product line. Members of the Slipknot team are expected to participate in a question-and-answer session, according to Hazan.
Stop the Panic will present a Play and Create gaming lounge featuring retro games that have been modified to allow users to create beats and sounds.
DJX is also collaborating with Stop the Panic on a regional scratch invitational. Fans will be able to watch the competition in person and participate in online voting.
Performances, Exhibits and Industry Brands
The DJX exhibit floor will include major audio, lighting, streaming and production brands.
Hazan mentioned Blackmagic Design, Audio-Technica, Pioneer, AlphaTheta, JBL, Reloop and other companies expected to participate.
Attendees will be able to examine equipment used for live streaming, recording, lighting, audio production and performance.
The event will also feature robots, photo booths, merchandise, meet-and-greets and appearances by established artists and industry figures.
Hazan said performers associated with Public Enemy, DJ Red Alert, the Beat Junkies Institute and other well-known names are expected to take part.
Every evening will include an “After Dark” event, while sunset networking sessions will allow attendees to meet executives and professionals involved in building and marketing the industry’s equipment.
Opportunities for Young DJs
DJX is also offering programming for children and young people who are interested in learning how to DJ or produce music.
Hazan said a limited number of summer camp classes remained available at the time of the interview. The program is intended to introduce young participants to the technical and creative sides of the industry.
The event, he said, is designed to be welcoming to beginners who might otherwise feel intimidated.
“The talent that’s there, they leave their ego at the door,” Hazan said. “Come ask questions. They’re here to help. This is how these guys all got started to begin with.”
Hazan said one of the most rewarding parts of organizing DJX is seeing attendees find opportunities to learn, secure work and connect with others in the industry.
“We’re providing opportunity to learn, to have opportunities for gigs, jobs and so forth,” he said.
DJX begins Aug. 10, with the main exhibit floor opening Aug. 11. Registration and additional information are available through the event’s website.
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Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a pop culture junkie and loves to share what's happening in Hollywood and what trends are taking the world by storm.
