DJ-NICE DONE SAVED MY LIFE: WHAT I’VE LEARNED FROM LISTENING TO D-NICE & PARTYING IN HIS CLUB QUARANTINE.
Bay-beeee, I ain’t never-ever spent as much time in a club as I’ve spent in D-Nice’s Club Quarantine– even thinkin back on my college days and on my twenties! Through jammin’, solo slow-draggin’, and hollerin’ at my friends who I see pop up on the screen, and telling my friends who don’t that they should join the party; I’ve learned a few things from partying with D-Nice and the rest of the country at Club Quarantine.
THEY DON’T MAKE MUSIC LIKE THEY USED TO
They don’t. They just don’t. Good music is currently being made – no doubt. But now it seems like that for every 1 song that is amazing, there are 50 songs that are crap: unoriginal, unintelligent, and uninspired lyrics put to a dope beat. Now artists strive to make that one hit. Back in the day, artists were striving to make those albums that you could play from start to finish without skipping over one. They were making hit after hit.
I’ve damn near caused myself to have a heart attack in the middle of my bedroom because every damn song D-Nice plays is “my sooooongggg” and I gotta dance to it.
MUSIC TRANSPORTS YOU TO BETTER TIMES
One of the brilliant aspects of D-Nice’s mixes is that he plays mainly old school music, so his audience is transported to better days – pre-pandemic days; and it feels so good.
MUSIC WILL CAUSE YOU TO MAKE BAD DECISIONS.
One of the only downfalls of D-Nice’s mixes is that I am sure that he has caused many people to break quarantine, to visit old loves and consummate new relationships. His slow sets – childe – are like THAT. (P.S. It would be so nice if male singers could go back to singing lyrics like “between the sheets” instead of “beat dat p…y up.”
IT CAN ALSO CAUSE YOU TO FEEL AS IF YOU CAN CONQUER THE WORLD OR AT LEAST THAT DAY.
Just 30 minutes in Club Quarantine will have you believing that things ain’t really so bad right now. Ayyyyeeeeee! What pandemic?
THERE WILL BE COPYCATS – AND THAT’S OKAY – JUST DON’T DO IT THE SAME OR ESPECIALLY AT THE SAME TIME.
D-Nice’s bandwagon is full. Every DJ from small-town juke joints to the Las Vegas hotel headliners have started virtual clubs clubs. I ain’t at all mad at them. What I love is that neither is D-Nice. He has sent us, his audience, over to other parties. That’s real love. My only suggestion is that the up-and-coming DJs check to see when D-Nice is playing and schedule their parties for any other time.
MUSIC IS THE GREAT UNIFIER.
Nothing unites all types of folks more than music. You see everyone from Biden and Bernie; J. Lo to Oprah; Erick Sermon to Jeffry Osbourne; Michelle Obama to PDiddy at the club.
DON’T SLEEP ON FOLKS – YOU NEVER KNOW.
D-Nice was the man in the late 80s and early 90s. I don’t think anyone would’ve predicted that he would make such a huge resurgence in 2020 (I would assert that he is bigger now than he was then). You never know who is going to make-it, blow-up, etc. or when. Don’t count folks out.
BLACK FOLKS WILL MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF NOTHING.
The Brotha is literally set-up in his kitchen!
KINDNESS, GOOD INTENTIONS & AUTHENTICITY GETS YOU PLACES.
I may be underestimating his strategic business skills; but I believe that D-Nice started playing as he says: as a way to bring people together during a tough time. His intentions were altruistic not capitalistic (as a matter of fact, Roland Martin shared his cash app so Club Quarantine’s guests could send a cashapp tip to D-Nice. The tip I sent was never accepted). I love that his kindness has led to things that will certainly end up benefitting him professionally and monetarily.
OUR CULTURE IS THE ULTIMATE FOREVER WINNER THAT EVERYBODY TRIES TO JUMP ON TO BANDWAGON TO BE CONSIDERED COOL
Culturally, Black folks just bring the vibe (*see #6). Periodt.
RESPECTING PEOPLE GOES FAR
People like to feel seen. D-Nice gives stars and non-stars shout-outs throughout his sets; both appreciate the recognition. Customer service 101.
YOU CAN’T PLEASE ERRRBODY
There will always THOSE people. I swear I have had to hold myself back from responding to the jerks who dare make suggestions of what D-Nice should play, as if they are paying for his services, as if he ain’t always spinning hit-after-hit, as if they know better. Where is the bouncer? Please throw those folks out!
PEOPLE NEED PEOPLE
Even introverts want to connect (now and then). Club Quarantine allows for connections. People buy each other virtual drinks, have virtual dances, hook-ups, etc. We connect.
FOLKS (GROWN FOLKS THAT IS) WILL SHOW YOU WHEN THEY DIG YOU – HALLE
Soooo, you know that person you’ve been wondering if he / she really likes you. If you have to wonder, either he/she doesn’t like you that much; or isn’t worthy of you liking them (cause they ain’t grown enough to be vulnerable). D-Nice has made it abundantly clear in front of the entire world that he is digging Halle. She, we (to many people’s disappointment) don’t have to wonder if that man wants her. Grown folks show who and what they want. They shoot that shot.
SOMEBODY NEEDS TO OPEN UP A NIGHTCLUB FOR SEASONED FOLKS
If I were rich, I’d be very clear by now that we older folks want to dance still. Somebody PLEASE open up a club that plays old school music and only admits people 35 and older. The grown and sexy ain’t dead; and are craving some fun. Plus, we typically have more disposable income than 20-year-olds. Those interested in starting something – call me- I got 5 on it (and by 5, I mean 5 dollars!).
MEN LOOK GOOD IN HATS
Enough said.
Nothing beats hustle
I don’t know if there are technically better DJs than D-Nice spinning live now; but ain’t no one out-hustlin’ him. This man plays for non-stop for hours. He knows that it’s his time and he is working it and working hard. I respect his hustle, his work ethic, and his energy.
I have mad-love and respect for our Brotha, our hero, our crush, D-Nice. Now, let me hit this two-step and get back to groovin’ with him.
