Slick Stuart has appealed to bar owners and promoters to review how they compensate resident DJs, saying the role comes with responsibilities that many people rarely see.
The DJ, who forms one half of Slick Stuart & Roja, shared the message on X after another DJ raised the issue, saying it was a challenge many people in the industry have experienced.
Looking back on his early career as a resident house DJ, Slick Stuart said the job involved much more than simply playing music.
Early in my career, I worked as a resident house DJ. People often think the job starts when the music starts, but it begins long before that.
He said resident DJs often arrive early to set up and test equipment, ensure every speaker is working properly, fix sound issues, support guest DJs throughout the night, and stay until closing to pack everything away.
According to Slick Stuart, those responsibilities rarely match the pay many resident DJs receive.
He urged bar owners and promoters to recognize the work resident DJs put in and compensate them accordingly.
This is a humble request to bar owners and promoters. Please take another look at how resident DJs are compensated. Their work keeps the night running smoothly, and they deserve to be paid fairly for the value they bring.