Ugandan DJ Slick Stuart has challenged fellow disc jockeys to sharpen their mixing skills, understand crowd dynamics and work together to keep parties lively, while urging nightlife hosts to rethink how they celebrate big spenders without interrupting the music.
In a post on X, Slick Stuart shared advice on everything from creative transitions and music selection to the responsibilities of opening DJs and the growing practice of pausing a party to honour patrons spending big.
The DJ began by addressing toneplay, wordplay and other creative transitions that have become increasingly popular among performers. While acknowledging their appeal, he stressed that timing, practice and clean execution are what make these techniques effective.
“We all see how toneplay, wordplay and creative transitions are becoming a big thing. But the secret is in the timing,” he wrote, explaining that transitions should entertain the crowd without interrupting the flow of the music.
Slick Stuart encouraged DJs to invest time in practising away from live performances, researching music and learning about song keys to improve their technical abilities.
He also had a message for DJs who borrow ideas from other performers: copying a technique should be the beginning of the creative process, not the end.
“For the copycats, if you’re going to borrow an idea, do it properly. Better yet, add your own sauce and make it even better than the original. That’s how we grow,” he said.
Beyond technical skills, Slick Stuart emphasised the importance of understanding the different stages of a party, particularly for opening DJs tasked with setting the mood before the night reaches its peak.
He argued that DJs should not expect newly arrived guests to immediately match the energy of people who have already spent hours on the dance floor.
“As an opening DJ, your job is to set the mood, build gradually and leave the next DJ with something to work with,” he said, urging performers to treat the night’s entertainment as a collective effort rather than a competition.
His comments highlight the importance of reading the room and selecting music that fits the atmosphere instead of rushing to deliver peak-hour energy too early.
Slick Stuart also turned his attention to nightlife hosts who interrupt DJs to accommodate wealthy patrons requesting particular songs. While acknowledging the business value of big spenders, he argued that their requests should be handled without disrupting the wider party.
“We appreciate you inviting your big ballers to the party, and we respect the business side of things. But let’s also be honest. Most ballers want to enjoy themselves where the party is already happening, where the energy is right and the crowd is active,” he wrote.
One practice he singled out was playing the Dorime song and using its bells to celebrate big spenders. Slick Stuart suggested that venues find more creative ways to honour these patrons without bringing the music to a complete stop.
His concern is that restarting the party after an interruption can be difficult once the crowd has built momentum.
The message ultimately calls for a balance between recognising high-spending guests and maintaining an enjoyable experience for everyone on the dance floor.
For Slick Stuart, a successful party depends not just on the songs being played, but also on timing, teamwork and knowing when to keep the music moving.