Whether You Like It or Not

Isn’t what it’s about.

Having likes and dislikes is only natural. Person and subject matter dependent, the dichotomy between yays and nays can fall anywhere from wishy-washy to wide. When it comes to music, my preferences tend to boil down to “take it or leave it” with little (if any) leeway in between. And whether others agree, disagree…or agree to disagree is really a moot point. I’m a firm believer in- to each their own. Because the only thing that matters is that you're sonically moved and/or soothed by whatever flows in your ears.. And while folks might opine on your opinions, the fact is- your personal predilections are 100% valid.

The diversity of sounds resides on a spectrum, rather than a universally applied scale. Which is beautiful- because that’s something for pretty much everyone. And exposure and exploration often leads to evolution of tastes over time. And that same thing goes for aficionados, appreciators and artists alike.

So it really baffles me when I hear people pigeonholing DJs and producers in a box and questioning their range. You know, comments along the lines of- “Ugh DJ __ usually plays __ and now they’re not, WTF?!” Just because someone floats your boat doesn't mean they always will. But why let that squash appreciation of what they do- or have done, well. While I quite obviously love what I love- surprising is among the attributes that I treasure most. I mean, any DJ that corherses me to like a song that I once loathed, holds a special place in my heart.

An artist’s choices and expressions have the ability to shapeshift your perception. Expecting the same cut and paste routine and then writing someone off when they deviate misses the point entirely. Not vibing with what someone is currently giving is more than cool. Trust me, I’ve been there. But perhaps consider giving them kudos for branching out. Pushing boundaries allows one to grow. And their choices aren’t an algorithm suited solely to you. I can vehemently not like or even be confused by the sonics being served. But if an artist created something- even one thing, that resonated with me in the past, then I’ll always hold them in high esteem.

Artist: Dan Flavin / DIA Beacon

Take Madonna for example. “Lucky Star” was my jam from my first twirl to it as a kid. But decades later, “Ray of Light” dimmed my fondness for her current sound. Regardless, I have mad respect for her forever. Because I’m in awe of what it takes to create even one amazing song- let alone umpteen albums worth. And then there’s her tenacious, bold and consistent serve of feminism and sexuality, which is sickening.

Feigning outrage that a DJ didn’t play the genres or style you expected them to is well…stale. Those who are talented aren’t pre-programmed; which means you don’t have to get with their new program. You get what you get. That’s a risk they take behind the booth and you take venturing out to a party. Getting thrown for a loop rather than being stuck in one can be something to celebrate. Or at the very least respect from a distance.