The History of the DJ Profession: From Radio Broadcasting to Dancefloor Culture

In this article, we will attempt to uncover the authentic history behind the origin of the DJ profession.

Today, the word “DJ” is associated with clubs, festivals, and the electronic music scene. However, in a professional and historical context, DJing is the result of a convergence of radio broadcasting, sound recording technologies, street music cultures, and engineering breakthroughs of the 20th century.

To understand who a DJ is in the modern sense, it is necessary to examine the development of the profession step by step, dividing it into two key streams:
radio DJ and club DJ, which historically evolved in parallel and reinforced each other.

Radio as the starting point of the profession

The origins of DJing go back to the early 20th century — long before the emergence of commercial radio stations.

1906: the first music broadcast

On December 24, 1906, engineer Reginald Fessenden carried out the first-ever radio transmission of voice and music without using Morse code. He sang a song, played the violin, and read a passage from the Bible to sailors in the Atlantic Ocean.

This moment is considered the zero point of music broadcasting — the first appearance of the idea of a person selecting and transmitting music to an audience.

The formation of the radio DJ

1920s–1930s: music on air as a concept

In 1927, British radio presenter Christopher Stone received permission to broadcast music from gramophone records on the BBC. He did more than just play records — he curated musical content, commented on it, and shaped audience taste.

This was the first case of a person acting as a mediator between recorded music and the listener — a core DJ function.

The origin of the term “Disc Jockey”

In 1935, American journalist Walter Winchell first used the term disc jockey when describing radio host Martin Block — a man who turned playing records into a standalone show.

“He spins the discs like a jockey rides a horse”
(paraphrased from Walter Winchell’s radio columns)

From this point on, the DJ ceased to be merely a technician and became a public figure.

The Jamaican influence: selectors, sound systems, and the birth of the MC

It is impossible to discuss the history of DJing without mentioning Jamaica in the 1950s.

This is where the following emerged:

• Sound systems — mobile sound setups,
• Selectors — DJs who selected and played records,
• Toasting — rhythmic spoken vocals over beats.

A key figure was Tom the Great Sebastian, one of the earliest architects of powerful street sound.

Jamaican culture:

• brought music out of venues and onto the streets,
• laid the foundations of MC culture,
• directly influenced hip-hop and rap as well as club interaction with audiences.

From radio to the dancefloor: the birth of the club DJ

The first parties without live music

In the early 1940s in the UK, Jimmy Savile began hosting dance events where only recorded vinyl music was played. This marked a radical shift: the DJ became more important than the live orchestra.

Technological breakthrough: from pauses to seamless mixing

Until the mid-1950s, DJing was discrete: “dead air” appeared between tracks. This was solved with jingles or live drummers.

Key technologies:

• 1955 — dual turntables (Bob Casey)
• Slip-cueing — holding the record by hand on a spinning slipmat
• Beatmatching — synchronizing track tempos

Francis Grasso — the turning point

In the late 1960s in New York, DJ Francis Grasso:

• introduced slip-cueing,
• systematically applied beatmatching,
• began constructing set dramaturgy rather than simply playing tracks.

From this moment on, the DJ became an architect of time and rhythm.

Direct-drive turntables and the birth of modern DJing

1972: Technics SL-1200

The introduction of direct-drive turntables enabled precise control over speed and tempo.

This equipment:

• standardized club DJing,
• enabled long mixes,
• transformed the DJ into a performer, not just service staff.

Media formats overview

Key takeaway

Club and DJ culture in the CIS countries developed along its own trajectory, where cassettes and reel tapes played the same foundational role as vinyl did in the West. This shaped a unique type of DJ — adaptive, technically inventive, and audience-oriented, rather than format-driven.

Timeline: key dates

• 1906 — first music broadcast
• 1927 — music on BBC radio
• 1935 — term disc jockey
• 1950s — Jamaican sound systems
• 1969 — beatmatching (Grasso)
• 1972 — Technics SL-1200
• 1990s — digital era
• 2020s — hybrid DJ / producer / streamer

Conclusion: who the DJ has become today

The modern DJ is no longer just someone who plays music. It is a multidisciplinary media professional operating at the intersection of art, technology, and communication.

Today, a DJ simultaneously fulfills several roles:

Music curator
They shape the sonic environment, control audience mood, and build set dramaturgy — from the opening tracks to the climax. Reading the crowd remains a core skill despite automation and algorithms.

Artist and performer
Modern sets are shows: lighting, visuals, pacing, and audience interaction. The DJ becomes part of the stage narrative.

Producer and sound designer
The line between DJ and producer has nearly disappeared. Most in-demand DJs create their own music, remixes, and exclusive edits, forming a distinct signature sound.

Media personality and communicator
Social networks, streaming platforms, and video broadcasts have turned DJs into independent media channels. They communicate directly with audiences and build communities beyond the club.

Technological operator
Modern DJs work with digital ecosystems: streaming, controllers, standalone systems, hybrid setups. They must understand sound, digital routing, latency, formats, and standards.

The main shift in the profession

If a DJ once acted as a mediator between music and listener, today they have become a creator of musical context and cultural space.

Yet the foundation of the profession remains unchanged:
the ability to feel time, audience, and music.

Looking ahead

In the coming years, DJing will continue to evolve toward:

• hybrid formats (live + DJ)
• immersive shows
• AI as a tool, not a replacement
• a stronger emphasis on curation and identity

A profession born from radio waves and vinyl records has not disappeared — it has evolved, preserving its essence: connecting people through sound.

Sources and literature

• Bill Brewster, Frank Broughton — Last Night a DJ Saved My Life
• David Toop — Rap Attack
• Brewster — How to DJ Right
• BBC, WNYC documentary archives
• Technics SL-1200 history

Article author: Victor PROG