15 questions

Getting to know the tiger up close and personal.

Dennis Wilson
A.k.a Blacktiger

We get to ask Blacktiger questions that many have wanted. So let’s get to know him better.

From Alabama to Michigan, eventually landing in Germany. The journey has been long and is still ongoing.

1) What were your earliest influences in music?

Btiger: My grandmother had us in church every Sunday, but it was my uncle scrap who was my biggest influence. He loved The Bee Gees and thru him I was exposed to a lot of different types of music.

2) Which DJ’s did you or do you look up to?

Btiger: Well, back in the 80’s in Detroit, we had a dj known as MoJo. Every night at 10pm we were glued to the radio, just to hear his show. The style he had was revolutionary and one of a kind. He got us to listen to music that we probably would not have otherwise listend too. Groups like the B52’s with “Rock Lobster” and Gary Numan with “Cars” just to name a couple. He also played the classic groups, Rick James, Heatwave and many others.

3) What styles of music do you play at gigs?

Btiger: I grew up listening to various genres of music. When I play, it’s usually R&B, Funk, Soul, Soulful House and House music.

4) What is it about Djing that motivates you?

Btiger: Watching the people enjoy themselves and have a good time. They’re dancing, singing, socializing and simply taking in the atmosphere. That’s what motivates me. Put on a song the people love and just watch their reaction.

5) How do you prepare for gigs?

Btiger: I generally try to find out what type of function or if there is a specific motive. I did a gig that had a 50’s motive and that meant researching a lot of popular music during that time. I think you have to give your very best because, you want the people to have not only a good time, but a good experience.

6) How important is knowing the music you’re playing?

Btiger: Very important, as I told a colleague of mine. You have to listen to your library over and over and over again. You have to know the beat drops, tempo changes and things like that. Once you know those things, you can get in and out of any song, because you know what in the song is going to happen next.

7) A lot of people think djing is just about playing music, what would you have them know?

Btiger: Oh, it’s more than that, because I had to learn a lot. This whole process, actually took me back to the days when I was learning to play the piano. Learning to count beats, tempo changes, mood changes, there are literally tons of things going on behind the scenes.

8) Do you introduce new music into your gigs?

Btiger: There are times when I have, but introducing new music is a very slippery slop. Your crowd can go either way when listening to a song they are unfamiliar with. So, I have learned that when introducing a new song, especially one that’s unknown, you have to pay attention to the dance floor. Introduce it, if the crowd starts to leave the floor, then get out of it and on to something else.

9) Do you feel a crowd is actually able to appreciate what Dj’s do?

Btiger: Honestly, I do. I have had many times where, people at the end of the night have come to me or one of my colleagues, that they enjoyed the selection of music and had a great time.

10) So, reading an audience is as important as the music itself?

Btiger: It is, without being able to read the audience, things become very difficult and can train wreck very easily. You can literally play all the best music and still they don’t dance. Doesn’t mean that as a dj, you’re doing something wrong. The people could just be enjoying the music that you’re playing. Doesn’t always lead to dancing, but if they’re bobbing their heads or swaying to the music, that is still a positive vibe.

11) Has the music changed over the years?

Btiger: Yes it has, in a sense that, today’s music is mostly built around sampling. Old school music was built around band members and being able to play instruments.

12) Do you educate your audience on new school and old school music?

Btiger: Yes, when playing new school music, at times I might mix in the old school version just let the crowd know that there is another song with the same beat or tempo.

13) Some Dj’s still use vinyl and those Dj’s (some of them) think that controller Dj’s aren’t real Dj’s. What do you think about that?

Btiger: Well, I would just like those Dj’s to answer one question. What is the purpose of a dj, and by that I mean what is his primary job? Dj’s entertain the crowd and as long as the crowd is having a good time, enjoying the music, then isn’t that the point. The crowd doesn’t care what equipment you use, but they do care that you give them a wonderful evening filled with music that they can enjoy.

14) How have particular advances in technology changed the way you dj?

Btiger: For one most Dj’s today, don’t have to cart around a truck full of gear or crates and crates of vinyl records.

15) What is the scene of the club as opposed to just a hall or bar?

Btiger: The club experience is just that, the club. People come to not only socialize but to dance and have fun. A hall or bar is a slightly different experience, it’s more about socializing, however, what they have in common, is that people want to hear good music and have a good time.