Stazbumpa

Of course it’s ok, you’re making the music so you can do anything you like. Besides, the genres aren’t so opposite. Take my personal heroes The Prodigy, a quick perusal of their albums will reveal bona fide hip hop beats (and lyrics in at least one case) alongside their more usual industrial dance sound. In fact that band started off a bunch of friends who enjoyed going to hip hop clubs together in the early 90’s.

You can do anything you like mate 🙂

Speaking completely from my own point of view:

I would invest in a decent DVS (I presume you already have a laptop to run it on) and use your Numark decks to get cracking. DVS software these days have bpm counters and phase meters to help you learn to mix with, so the learning curve with DVS is far gentler than when I first started on just vinyl.
On the other hand, you can get a decent controller for about the same money as a DVS, and they usually have a shorter learning investment, so don’t discount that option totally either. Plus controllers are less hassle to lug around once you start gigging. I take my technics decks, my mixer, my laptop and my DVS to gigs with me. Its a pain but I just prefer using vinyl to control my music.

I always humour people and be as nice as possible, in other words it’s a case of applying lifes golden rule. Be nice and you go from being “the DJ” to being “their DJ”, which is an important factor.
Having said that, I have been known to stare at the centre of someones forehead and go cross eyed as they bore me to death with their incessant whining. My mic also has a dent in it after some guy collected it in the head while he literally grabbed the decks over the front of the DJ box.
This is all very rare though, and certainly not recommended behaviour 😉

Speaking personally:

Multi genre dance music is an absolute must in my opinion, keep it eclectic unless the guy that is paying you has expressly said otherwise. Don’t pidgeon hole yourself into only one style because, given the massive variety within dance music, to do so is frankly boring. Also don’t ditch the hip hop, it’s true that some is rubbish these days but there is a wealth of older stuff from the late 80’s into the 90’s that simply rocks your socks.

Onto clubbing. I used to club, although my local scene was limited at best. I never did that much but if you’re gigging regular it’s quickly apparent that your work *is* your clubbing. I haven’t been on an actual night out in nearly 3 years. That said, I would would use some nights out to get a feel for the scene if you’re planning on working in it at some point.

Finally, age. I speak to you as a nearly 37 year old father of 2, complete with grey bits. Due to my work, most of my friends are at least a decade younger than me and my regular spot sees a dip in customers when im *not* there. Point is, play what rocks, what the punters want to here, and i guarantee you will out perform the perma-tanned, fist pumping fruit cakes who are only interested in playing what they want to hear. With age comes wisdom, be it dealing with people, organising your business or simply staying sober at a gig so you can do the job.
Use your wisdom, be yourself.

To quote Borat; Great success!! How were first gig nerves? First few gigs I did I couldn’t stick the needle on the record as my hands were shaking so much 😀

(Yes, needle on record. Its my age)

Totally just my point of view:

DDJ’ing throws up many options, which have been mentioned above. But for someone learning I personally think you could do a lot worse than a software/controller bundle. The software can stay when/if you decide to upgrade your controller. Traktor is the software that pushes my buttons at the moment, there are others though and I think it would be easier and quicker to learn the basics on something like this. Research like mad, it will pay off and you end up with kit that does the job.
Word of warning, don’t go mad. I know a guy who blew nearly 3 grand (UK money) on Pioneer cdj’s and mixer. Years layers and he’s done half a dozen house parties and that’s all. Im not saying don’t go for the best kit, just that you need to walk before you run and the walking part tends to be cheaper. Besides you don’t need cdj’s to have a perfectly giggable setup. Again, research it and you will get the bits you need rather than the bits you think you want.

You have the passion, now you need to temper it with some reasoned kit choices. I wish you luck, don’t lose your enthusiasm 🙂

Yes, get Win7. I ran Vista for ages because it was pre-installed, got annoyed with it so wiped the hard drive and stuck Win7 on it and it runs so much better. Replacing your HDD for an SSD is also another way to extend your laptop life without forking out for a new one. The only reason I’m after an upgrade myself is because I want higher screen resolution, otherwise I’d buy a decent SSD and that’s my laptop sorted bar me dropping it or something.