Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

How to make the most noise as a dynamic DJ

by ASJAD NAZIR

WE ASK SOME OF BRITAIN’S TOP SPINNERS ABOUT THEIR GO-TO TUNES AND SECRETS BEHIND CREATING THE PERFECT NIGHT OUT


WHETHER it is club nights, festivals, private events, weddings or other celebratory occasions, DJs have an ability to adapt and entertain people in a way no one else can.

The dynamite DJs use various ways to keep peo­ple engaged, which includes mixing, top tracks and giving those present what they want. Eastern Eye caught up with talented DJs to find out the secret of a killer set and the go-to songs that never fail...

DJ Vallisa: I believe the secret to a good DJ set is finding out exactly what is working for the crowd in front of you. What makes them tick and going for it. Every event is different and you cannot cater for in­dividuals, it has to be what the majority seem to vibe to. I do have some tracks that never fail me as my main audience are the Mendhi nights, so Mundian Toh Bach Ke and Sadi Gali always work. At the mo­ment, Kala Chashma gets even the most stubborn person dancing.

Master Kunal (MK Roadshow): The secret to a good DJ set is knowing your audience. They are yo-ur biggest critics. No matter how lavish your set-up may look, ultimately it always comes down to your playlist and how you interact with the crowd. The go-to songs that never fail on a dance floor are Mun­dian Tu Bach Ke by Panjabi MC, Sadi Gali by Lemb­her Hussainpuri, Laila Main Laila from Raees, Lon­don Thumakda from Queen and Danzo Kuduro by Don Omar to name a few. I find they always work even with a mixed audience, lyrically and musically.

J Royale: The biggest secret of a good DJ set is being able to read your crowd. This is the one skill that makes the difference between a hit DJ set and a fail­ing set. DJs practice their sets, which is great, don’t get me wrong, and I do this too! But you also need to be prepared for the crowds, which may want some­thing different. This skill will allow you to switch it up and keep the people on the dance floor. Being a Desi DJ that spins across Mumbai and UK, I have my go-to songs that never fail. Five of those are: Abhi Toh Party (Badshah), Gully Gang (Gucci Gang Remix - Divine), Lets Nacho (Kapoor & Sons), Ni Nachle (Imran Khan) and Sadi Gali (Tanu Weds Manu).

DJ Nish: The secret of a good set is to keep things current as well as playing the classics. Everyone is so surprised when they hear you drop a new song as they aren’t expecting it. My go-to songs that I know everyone loves, especially the ladies, are Wild Thoughts (DJ Khaled & Rihanna), One Dance (Drake) and Danza Kuduro (Don Omar).

San-j Sanj: To be honest, a reliable DJ does not need a secret weapon unless you are a battle DJ. A worthy party DJ should adapt their sounds to the surroundings just like a chameleon does with its colours. Being mainly a Bollywood DJ, I will list you three toppers from certain decades. This was extremely difficult to shortlist! From the 1970s Pi-ya Tu Ab To Aaja, from the 2000s Woh Lamhe (Su-ketu Mix), and from the 2010s Put Your Hands Up For Mumbai.

DJ Rixx (Calibar Roadshow): I believe a good DJ set consists of three things; high energy, unpredictabili­ty and creativity. High energy keeps the dance floor bouncing. Be unpredictable! Playing the current popular songs is the safe option, but playing some­thing the dance floor does not expect keeps them in­terested. Every DJ should be creative in the way they perform. Sometimes it’s not about what you play but more about how you play or mix it!

Harpz Kaur: The secret to a good DJ set is knowing your music and crowd! If you can engage with your crowd and know what they’re feeling, it’s a good set! It’s not always about what you want to play. It’s what they want to hear! And I do have a few go-to tracks which I know go down well at any party. These in­clude Das Ja by Dj Sanj, Sadi Gali by RDB, Hostel by Sharry Mann, Fatman Scoop’s Be Faithful, Big Shaq’s Man’s Not Hot and Montel Jordan’s This Is How We Do It.

DJ Vix: I think that the secret of a good DJ is experi­ence. With this experience comes the ability to read and judge the crowd to deliver the right recipe for the dance floor. This means playing the right song at the right time for the correct duration. Also, provid­ing crowd interaction through hosting keeps the party people energised and most importantly enter­tained, which enables us to take the party to its max­imum heights.

DJ Ritu: Someone’s perfect turntablist might be an­other person’s nightmare, so I guess all good DJs need to develop a thick skin and remember they can’t please everyone all of the time. Some other useful ingredients are having an appropriate selec­tion of tunes for the audience you’re playing to, as­sessing a crowd and playing for them and not your ego. Having a decent degree of technical skill to es­tablish a flow, a journey and thoughtful decibel out­put. I definitely have some go-to tunes if I’m spin­ning retro classics, whereas the rest of the set might be all about keeping up to date with new releases!

Jags Klimax: Preparation is key to an awesome DJ set. Know the crowd you are playing to and be like a ‘Swiss army knife’ type of DJ where you are flexible to switch it up to keep that dance floor banging constantly! Also play ac­cording to your time slot. No one wants to book or hear a DJ that’s playing all the top tunes as soon as the doors open. If the dance floor needs a little pick me up and it’s time to get everyone hyped, that one track I go to has to be Heer. It just never fails to get a crowd going crazy!

DJ Shai Guy: My greatest advice would be to find the balance between believing in your own profes­sional abilities but also considering the crowd at all times. If they’re enjoying what they’re hearing, give them more, but also catch them off-guard with in­troducing something they think they know but fus­ing it with something completely different or vice versa. Ergo, why I love mash-ups. Some go-to songs are Chammak Chalo, London Thumakda, Chumma Chumma, Kala Chasma, Balam Pichkari, Deewangi Deewangi, Khaike Paan Banaras Wala, Lungi Dance, Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe and Kar Gayi Chull.

DJ Kookie: My secret is to never plan a set, just have music that covers any situation and be flexi­ble. Once you know what your crowd want, you can set the vibe to give them a night they won’t for­get. There’s way too many go-to songs as it is all de­pendent on the vibe of the night, but ones that are always winners for me are Mi Gente by J Balvin, Fi­nesse by Bruno Mars and Cardi B, Friendly by J Hus, Bruk Off by Konshens, Gyal You A Party Animal by Charly Black, and IN2 by WSTRN.

DJ Zee (Pioneer Entertainment): The secret of a good DJ set is a good mix of current hits and old classics, perfect timing and the ability to read your audience. Know what makes them move and how to pick the vibe back up again if it starts to die down. Some go-to songs include Mauja Hi Mauja from Bollywood and anything by Diljit Dosanjh or Panja­bi MC from bhangra. In terms of English songs, any­thing by Rihanna or Lean On by Major Lazer.

Doni Brasco: A good DJ set is subject to perspective. When playing out live to an audience, it’s a must to drop familiar bangers everyone knows and what’s current on the dance floor. How you veer away be­comes an art and reading a crowd is vital to suc­ceed. Personally I’ve always believed a great DJ set should be a journey with highs (rave moments) and lows (bass face). I love playing with a crowd emo­tionally, tantalising and teasing them. If what I play and how is the same as anyone else, then there was no point me being there. When it comes to turntab­list showcase DJ sets and routines, I believe using as many skills as well as keeping the viewer engaged throughout becomes the number one priority. Ei­ther way, the best DJ sets are ones that leave the crowd feeling uplifted and happy, and the DJ feeling proud of how they earned a living that night. The feeling of love and joy should be omnipresent. Hope to see you at one of my gigs soon.

Panjabi Hit Squad: The secret to a good DJ set is preparation. You need to know you have the right tunes, the right mixes and ready to play in an order that ensures the dance floor is forever packed. Once you have read your crowd, you can now make a de­cision of what vibe you want to go on. Having all the tunes ready makes the job of rocking any party an easy one. Songs that you can always count on get­ting the dance floor moving include Sharry Maan’s

3 Peg, Guru Randhawa and Arjun’s Suit, Diljit Dos­anjh’s Patiala Peg, Barking by Ramz; the list is too long and goes on.

Varski: For me personally, there are two aspects to what makes a great DJ set. First of all, preparation is vital. When dealing with remixes and bootlegs, which my set is based around, I need to make sure I have everything organised and ready to entertain any crowd. Second of all is mic work. I am a massive believer that the relationship between you and any crowd is solidified through getting your personality out there via mic talk. The back and forth between DJ and the dance floor is vital and adds that extra fire to the stove. Some hot go-to tracks are Magenta Riddim (DJ Snake), Unforgettable (French Monta-na), Bum Bum Tam Tam (MC Fioti), Pure Fyah (Carlitos Moreno), Most High (Skepsis), and Mac-hika (J Balvin).

DJ Kash: The secret to a good Dj set is not only the right choice of music but also how you mix it. I do have a set of go-to songs that never fail, but every event is so different so it’s important to choose wise­ly. Feel the music as you play it and entertain the crowds with your energy. Lose yourself in the music!

DJ Pavan: I think the most important element of any DJ set is song selection. Eighty per cent of a good set is the songs you play. One wrong song can kill the vibe for the crowd. What sets apart the best from the rest is the skill in how you mix your songs, which lets you add your own touch on the music. Of course, any set needs a sprinkling of bangers to add some energy into the crowd. In terms of English music, Yeah by Usher always sparks a massive reac­tion. And if all else fails, has anyone heard of Hostel?

More For You

Cardi B shocks Paris Couture Week with live crow and bold Schiaparelli look

Cardi B poses with a live crow outside the Petit Palais in Paris

Instagram/lamodemagazine__

Cardi B shocks Paris Couture Week with live crow and bold Schiaparelli look

Quick highlights:

  • Cardi B appeared at Schiaparelli’s Autumn 2025 couture show in Paris holding a live crow on her arm.
  • Her dramatic black gown was designed by Daniel Roseberry, Schiaparelli’s creative director.
  • The surreal look paid tribute to Elsa Schiaparelli’s legacy of theatrical, boundary-pushing fashion.
  • The show marked a shift in Roseberry’s aesthetic, away from corsetry towards freer silhouettes.

Paris Couture Week opened on a dramatic note this year as Cardi B made a startling entrance at the Petit Palais wearing a black Schiaparelli gown, with a live crow perched on her arm. The rapper’s appearance outside the venue sent photographers scrambling as the bird flapped and squawked, setting the tone for a show rooted in tension, elegance, and surrealism.

The outfit, crafted by Daniel Roseberry for Schiaparelli’s Autumn 2025 collection, featured graphic fringe and a towering beaded neckline. But it was the crow, alive, glaring, and restless, that stole the spotlight, embodying the fashion house’s long-standing obsession with the unexpected.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kareena Kapoor

Kareena Kapoor joins growing criticism of Prada’s uncredited use of Indian design

Getty Images

Kareena Kapoor mocks Prada with her ‘OG Kolhapuri’ post as fashion giant faces backlash over copied design

Quick highlights:

  • Kareena Kapoor posted a cheeky Instagram Story flaunting Kolhapuri chappals, saying, “Sorry not Prada... but my OG Kolhapuri.”
  • Her post follows outrage over Prada’s ‘toe-ring sandals’ resembling the Indian Kolhapuri design.
  • A PIL has been filed in the Bombay High Court against Prada for unauthorised use of the Kolhapuri style without credit.
  • Prada acknowledged the inspiration and agreed to meet Indian artisans for dialogue.

Kareena Kapoor took a subtle yet sharp swipe at luxury fashion label Prada amid growing controversy around its recently launched ‘toe-ring sandals’, a design that closely mirrors India’s traditional Kolhapuri chappals. Without naming the brand, Kareena shared a photo of her feet in silver Kolhapuri slippers during her London vacation and captioned it: “Sorry not Prada... but my OG Kolhapuri ❤️.”

The actor’s post struck a chord with many online, surfacing just days after Prada came under fire for allegedly copying the Kolhapuri design without acknowledgment.

Keep ReadingShow less
Monica Barbaro and Andrew Garfield  at Wimbledon

Garfield and Barbaro twin in Ralph Lauren for their most public appearance yet

Instagram/voguemagazine

Monica Barbaro and Andrew Garfield quietly confirm relationship with Wimbledon appearance

Quick highlights:

  • Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro stepped out in matching Ralph Lauren looks at Wimbledon 2025.
  • The couple shared affectionate moments courtside, including hand-holding and a cheek kiss.
  • They were first linked romantically in February after being spotted at a London play.
  • The pair may reunite on screen in Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming film Artificial.

Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro made their most public appearance yet as a couple on Sunday, arriving hand-in-hand at Wimbledon 2025 in coordinated white ensembles and sharing subtle yet sweet moments of affection. The actors, who were first rumoured to be dating in February, looked completely in sync as they entered the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on 6 July. Dressed in matching Ralph Lauren outfits, the two smiled for cameras and appeared relaxed throughout the day.

  Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro arrive hand in hand at Wimbledon in all whiteInstagram/voguemagazine

Keep ReadingShow less
Kantara Chapter

Rishab Shetty battles through flames in new Kantara Chapter 1 poster

‘Kantara Chapter 1’ poster released on Rishab Shetty’s birthday, confirms October 2025 theatrical date

Quick highlights:

  • Kantara: Chapter 1, the much-awaited prequel to the 2022 blockbuster, releases in cinemas on 2 October 2025.
  • Poster unveiled on Rishab Shetty’s 42nd birthday shows him in an intense warrior avatar.
  • The film explores the divine origins of Panjurli and Guliga, expanding the Kantara mythology.
  • Massive action sequences filmed with 3,000 participants over 50 days make it one of India’s biggest productions.

Rishab Shetty gave fans a fierce first glimpse into Kantara: Chapter 1 on his 42nd birthday, unveiling a new poster that shows him in full warrior mode. The upcoming prequel to the 2022 Kannada hit Kantara is now officially set to release on 2 October 2025. Directed and headlined once again by Shetty, the film is expected to dive deep into the spiritual and mythological roots of the original story.

   Kantara Chapter 1 poster  Instagram/rishabshettyofficial  

Keep ReadingShow less
Zayn Malik

Zayn Malik shares a moody preview of his upcoming song Fuchsia Sea

Getty Images

Zayn Malik raps about racism he experienced as Asian member of One Direction in "Fuchsia Sea"

Quick highlights:

  • Zayn Malik previewed a new track, Fuchsia Sea, on Instagram, touching on racism he experienced during his One Direction years.
  • “They still laughed at the Asian,” he raps, alluding to feeling othered despite success.
  • Malik was the only South Asian member of the band, which included Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and the late Liam Payne.
  • The track marks a rare public reflection on the racial dynamics behind his 2015 departure from the group.

Zayn Malik is turning to music to process the discrimination he says he experienced during his time with One Direction. On Saturday, 5 July, the 32-year-old singer previewed a raw and emotional rap song titled Fuchsia Sea, sharing a clip and lyrics on Instagram that many fans believe directly address racism he faced as the only South Asian member of the global boy band.

In the verse, Malik raps: “I worked hard in a White band, and they still laughed at the Asian.” The line immediately sparked intense conversation online, with listeners pointing out how it echoed long-suspected tensions about racial identity and representation during his tenure in One Direction.

Keep ReadingShow less