Never argue with a drunk: BlackJack

Reality is truly stranger than fiction. DJ Arun Valmiki was playing at a birthday party in UP when he was shot dead because he allegedly did not play a song from Bullett Raja. While DJs in the city might not have to deal with goons on a day-to-day basis, their professional lives are not as easy as one might think.

 

“It was in the early 2000s, I was playing at a party, everything seemed normal until a man approached me with a knife and threatened me,” says DJ Kanna. “He was drunk and he wanted me to play a particular track that I didn’t have with me. I just had to be very cordial with him, I knew that if I would scream or fight, things could get serious,” he adds.

 

For most DJs, playing in clubs is a much safer option compared to private parties. “People can’t get into pubs with guns, knives etc. But my 25 years of DJing has taught me one lesson, never argue with someone who is drunk,” says BlackJack! 

 

BlackJack! adds, “What happened with the DJ in UP is very unfortunate and that is why DJs should always discuss what tracks their guests want well in advance. Make sure you know what your client wants and go prepared.”

 

DJ Shashank, who plays at Over The Moon, says, “It is very important for the management to make sure that their DJs are safe, the onus is on them,” he says, adding, “At corporate parties, I make sure I inform the client that I will require security. But, it gets trickier when I play at college events. So I take bouncers for these events.”

 

DJ Phalgun, resident DJ at Bottles & Chimney, says, “If you lose your cool and scream at people things will get out of hand. Try to be friendly with people and tell them that you will play their track soon and if you don’t have that track then tell them that in a friendliest way.”