Steve Lawler’s spoof ‘DJ X Factor’ video. Now the show looks like it’s on the scrapheap.
Simon Cowell’s plans to make a “DJ X Factor”-style show “to find the next world-class DJ” have been ditched, according to a report in the New York Post.
The “Traktor Factor” idea was widely derided by the electronic dance music community, with Steve Lawler in particular pouring scorn on the concept in a spoof video (above).
There were small murmurs of approval, mainly from sections of the controllerism community who presumably sensed an opening for shorter, routine-based performances within such a format. However, most commentators concluded quite rightly that DJing as most of us know it is singularly unsuited to a game-show format.
Despite this, the reason for the show’s demise seems to be more internal politics than issues with how they were going to pull it off.
Underground will live forever, baby…
The scrapping will be good news for those who lament their beloved underground culture being blown wide into the mainstream. This is an objection that seemed to be raised more by stateside DJs than those here in Europe (where DJing has been as overground as it’s possible to be for a decade now).
The scrapping will be good news for those who lament their beloved underground culture being blown wide into the mainstream.
Having said that, our own Chicago-based writer D-Jam took a more inclusive stance, arguing that DJ X Factor could nurture and encourage talent.
However, with the demise of the idea that Will Smith and Simon Cowell can effectively judge a DJ’s skills as they perform in front of a seated audience, I have to admit the sensible side of me has breathed a sigh of relief.
But I’m prepared to admit something. Are you? Isn’t there just a bit of you that secretly wishes it had been made? Come on, we’d all have watched it – wouldn’t we?
Are you glad this has been ditched? Or would you secretly have quite enjoyed watching it? Would you have entered? Please share you “Traktor Factor” thoughts in the comments.
Now go to:
Simon Cowell’s DJ X Factor: Why It Could Be A Good Thing
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Tags: dj x factor, traktor factor
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Anyone remember “The Joy of Decks” (aired on ITV I think)…similar sort of concept with experienced DJs like Tom Middleton as mentors. It only ran for 6 or so episodes though.
Don’t forget Tony Prince and his team have transformed the DMC competition into a universally accepted format for the turntablists. With the addition of the annual online comp (via YouTube) a year or so ago you have the visual aspect and public voting as well. Maybe closer to the X-Factor experience than some might have thought!
Back to topic though, I probably would have checked out the TV programme, just to see what other DJs are doing.
[ link ]True. There’s a direct correlation between DMC (turntablism) and “Traktor Factor” (controllerism) – if that was what was on the cards.
To many though, some hybrid blend of brattism, controllerism and turntablism would be about as far removed from a guy with a great record collection taking a crowd on a night-long journey as I’m able to imagine.
[ link ]It just wouldn’t work, methinks. Think of American Idol or Pop Idol, and consider that contestants only sing say, one verse and chorus for a song, before they have to give up the stage to the next contestant. What of a DJ-ing contest? Spin two records together, make one mashup, transitions, etc?
It’s a no-go in any format conceivable. I’d still watch it though, if only to see if they can find the DJ equivalent of William Hung. (Paris Hilton, maybe?)
[ link ]“But I’m prepared to admit something. Are you? Isn’t there just a bit of you that secretly wishes it had been made? Come on, we’d all have watched it – wouldn’t we?”
Frankly, that sounds like an insult to me. Do you really underestimate your readers’ sense of decency so much that you have to put them on a level with the millions of tastless idiots who made this despicable TV format such a huge success in the first place? And who, if you ask them about it, give you stupid standard answers like “…but i only watch that stuff because it’s so freakin’ funny/adorable/embarrassing(…)”? Nontheless, they got pwned by the idiot box, because watching this crap means supporting it.
[ link ]I don’t wanne be compared to those people. And as soon as someone else picks up the concept of that show (now that someone brought it up it’s likely to happen), all of you, please let it die a quiet death instead of promotong it. Because in showbiz, there is no such thing as bad publicity.
Personally, I wouldn’t feel insulted or threatened at all by such a show. And yes, I probably would have watched it. I’m cool with that.
I’m also cool with the fact you have a real problem with such things. That’s your prerogative, and thanks for voicing it.
[ link ]Well, in the face of my somewhat unfiltered and harsh rant, this is… kind of a cool and professional reaction. Thanks for being so forgiving with me.
[ link ]Not a problem, my friend.
[ link ]who’s to say that the idea was horrible? seriously it very well may have made the next great spinner.
[ link ]I would have watched it out of curiosity, just to confirm that it was as lame as it sounded.
Phil, have you gotten your hands on a Maschine MK2 yet?
[ link ]I don’t think a televised competition would have been a bad idea.
I think anything involving Simon Cowell is a bad idea.
Simon Cowell wouldn’t know talent if it fell on his face and wiggled.
More than likely, it would have been another typical Syco-drama, with more focus on egos, perceived talent, and histrionics.
Add to the fact any winner of a televised talent show involving Simon Cowell would have been immediately looked on with suspicion.
[ link ]Quite ironic that it was a supposed ego clash that cause the show’s demise…
[ link ]You gotta love irony.
[ link ]Was looking forward to some Ray Von moments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qpoToJ2Au0
[ link ]It could definitely work. But not with an x factor style format> as in judges and stuff. Djing is about the party. How about an official YouTube channel that people upload half hour mixes over a period of a half a year. Then they are rated by likes and views. It could definitely work.
[ link ]Those shows are a big fake in general. It’s plain entertainment with a lot of product placement and commercials, that’s what matters for the stations because that’s the moneymaker. oh I forgot the texting fee when you’re voting on anything (€ 1.50 per message).
[ link ]But I might watch it a view times, just out of curiousity. It might work with turntablism, I guess.
Man would I have enjoyed being part of this since im working so hard to get known and get a fan base. Practicing everday and throwing my own parties because it’s so hard to get a gig here where I live. I really would have loved this chance.
[ link ]Never been a fan of any reality show or any American Idol copy…while i do think some interesting routines may have happened, overall, i feel it just screamed melodrama.
Mostly, it splashed our faces with a truth though, the fact of all these djs and what-not battling it out for who is better and who gets the deal…its just reinforcing that djing today can be seen as just one big popularity contest, determined by number of “yes” counts and gloss.
Though, not to be overly cynical, there may have been some unsung hero who showed how its done
[ link ]I’m very happy to hear this. The best dance and house trax are not on the top 40 of MTV. Simon’s previous shows were overly dramatic crap. and only to promote more mediocre pop music. All this show will teach America is that good dance music sounds like David Guetta/Usher or are just remixes of pop tunes. With added backstage drama of course.
[ link ]Can I ask what the logic is in saying a genre that has been built on DJ battles world-wide for years is ill-suited for a contest format?
[ link ]We acknowledged that in the comments. But just while “play me your raddest guitar solo” isn’t a good judge of a guitarist ore band, five minutes of turntablishm, controllerism or isn’t, for most, a good judge of a DJ.
[ link ]The TV network BET has already aired 2 seasons of a “DJ” competition. It wasn’t too too bad. some goood people. But mostly wacksters.
http://www.bet.com/shows/master-of-the-mix.html
Tony
[ link ]NO, no NO no NO!!! Just because these money machine TV networks can monetize EVERYTHING and ANYTHING doesn’t give it any real meaning whatsoever.
No, I wouldn’t have been able to watch one second of it, at least without literally getting sick to my stomach. It would only have succeeded in implanting a distorted idea in millions of viewers about DJs and DJing in the real world. I can only shudder at the thought of the bizarre interactions between DJs and punters that would ensue at gigs after a show like that was widely viewed.
Gackk!
[ link ]TV competitions like this sound like a nice platform for ‘showboating’ DJs like scratch specialists… who can do a chirp scratch with their chin and other such body parts. I would check it out just to see what’s what. A radio based competition of this nature just makes more sense and there are a few stations/shows locally that have such competitions that I listen to when I can.
[ link ]I dont feel the people who do not even use or ever used a mixer or some kind of controller will have any respect/interest for such a show. Granted they enjoy what you do at parties, clubs, events etc… but the star at those locations is the music not the method. You could almost put your ipod on a playlist and have the songs cross-fade and it will suffice for pool parties.
Unless the audience is able to see or know how difficult some mixes really are they could never “vote” on such a show. Hearing a person sing and you know they are way way way off key is more subjective than a person mixing that same pitch perfect part but whos able to cover up mistakes. The average person cant catch most of the mistakes/cover ups. It would be more subjective to music genre than any real skill.
[ link ]I know this was written awhile ago but I wanted to answer.
It probably would’ve been challenging to pick out how to judge, but it
could’ve worked. I know people hate American Idol, but it provided a means
to get people discovered and for some to fulfill their dreams.
Some people say that Cowell has no talent but he wouldn’t be as successful
if he didn’t know what people actually want. Many people idolize uber DJ’s and some lucky dj would probably have made enough money so that he can create his art. However it doens’t seem like DJ’s think that way..it seems like most DJ’s fight for the underground but hate not getting paid for what they are worth.
I thought it would’ve been cool but the EDM community has particular values and paradoxes that would not have accepted it anyway.
[ link ]