What Traditionalism Really Means When You Came Up in the 80s By DJ Jay Quellen — 80s Hip‑Hop Specialist

 

What Traditionalism Really Means When You Came Up in the 80s

By DJ Jay Quellen — 80s Hip‑Hop Specialist

Lately I’ve been hearing a lot of DJs defend “traditionalism,” and honestly, it’s refreshing. Any time the culture starts talking about fundamentals again, that’s a good sign. But I’m from the 80s — the park‑jam era, the tape‑deck era, the “borrow your cousin’s belt‑drives and hope they don’t skip” era.

So when I hear people talk about “DJ traditionalism,” I agree with the spirit of what they’re saying… but I’m talking about a much older version of it. A version built before the battle era, before the hamster switch, before the DJ became a performer in the spotlight.

My traditionalism comes from the foundation. Let me break down what that means.

1. Traditionalism Started Before the DJ Was a Showman

A lot of today’s defenders of traditionalism point to the 90s: the routines, the precision cuts, the beat juggles. I respect all of that — those DJs pushed the art forward.

But my traditionalism starts earlier.

It starts with:

• Belt‑drive turntables that drifted like old cars

• Mixers with crossfaders that felt like dragging metal across sand

• Milk crates that doubled as gym workouts

• Crowds that didn’t care about technique unless it made them move

Traditionalism wasn’t about showing off. It was about keeping the break alive and keeping the dancers on their feet.

If the floor died, you weren’t practicing traditionalism — you were practicing excuses.

2. The First Traditionalism Was About Selection, Not Scratching

Before scratching became a language, the real test of a DJ was the ear.

Traditionalism meant:

• Knowing which break would ignite the room

• Knowing which record would cool down a heated crowd

• Knowing how long to ride a groove before switching gears

• Knowing how to build a night, not just a moment

The blend was the backbone. The selection was the soul.

If you couldn’t read a room, you weren’t practicing traditionalism — you were just standing behind equipment.

3. Technology Doesn’t Threaten Traditionalism — It Reveals It

I’ve used everything: vinyl, DVS, USBs, controllers. None of it scares me.

Because here’s the truth from someone who lived the early years:

If your traditionalism is real, the gear doesn’t matter. If your traditionalism is shallow, the gear exposes you.

Waveforms don’t make you sloppy — lack of discipline does. Sync doesn’t erase taste — bad taste does. Controllers don’t kill skill — shortcuts do.

Traditionalism isn’t the tool. It’s the mindset, the responsibility, the musical judgment.

4. Traditionalism Is About Serving the Crowd, Not Serving Yourself

In the 80s, the DJ wasn’t the star. The DJ was the anchor of the entire night.

Traditionalism meant:

• Keeping the dancers energized

• Supporting the MC

• Managing the room’s energy

• Protecting the vibe

• Holding the community together through music

If the crowd was good, you were good. If the crowd was lost, you failed — no matter how clean your cuts were.

That’s traditionalism.

5. Respect the New Defenders — But Remember the Older Roots

I’m not here to argue with the younger traditionalists. They’re fighting for something worth protecting.

But traditionalism didn’t start with the battle era. It didn’t start with the hamster switch. It didn’t start with the routines that went down in DJ history.

Traditionalism started with:

• Community

• Rhythm

• Responsibility

• Taste

• And the willingness to carry the whole night on your back

If you honor those things, you’re part of the lineage — no matter what gear you use.