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MusicPeople

by Alexandra Mansilla

DJing As a Profession: Is It Finally Taken Seriously?

19 Mar 2025

Photo: Lucas Gallone

You have heard it all before.
"How are you going to make a living as a DJ? That’s not a real job."
"Oh, you’re a DJ? Cool. But what do you actually do for work?"
"Yeah, we’ll sort out your payment later — it’s just a DJ gig."
Sound familiar?
The truth is that DJs still have to fight to be taken seriously. Chasing payments, proving their worth, and constantly justifying that, yes, this is a career. But why is that still the case? And does formal education actually matter?
We sat down with Baz Raghib — DJ, music producer, and founder of Full Beams — to talk about all of it. The struggles, the industry shifts, and why he decided to launch DJ Academy to help the next generation turn passion into a profession.

Not just a hobby anymore

Pursuing a career in the arts has always come with certain perceptions — some positive, some negative. DJing, in particular, has long been seen as unconventional, something closer to a side gig than a real profession. But today, the industry is changing. More resources, platforms, and opportunities exist than ever before, making it possible to turn DJing into a sustainable career.
That shift is one of the reasons we decided to create DJ Academy — to provide guidance, structure, and professional training for those who want to take this path seriously.

The Middle East joins the global stage

The art of DJing is constantly evolving, shaped by technology, cultural shifts, and new creative expressions. In the Middle East, the transformation has been especially striking. What was once considered just a hobby is now a fast-growing industry, with regional DJs gaining international recognition and redefining what it means to mix music professionally.
It is exciting to see DJs from this region — or those who represent it — finally getting global recognition. Some have already made waves on the international stage, bringing Middle Eastern culture into the spotlight through DJing. The world is listening, and the momentum is only growing.
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Photo: Andrej Lišakov

One of the biggest ongoing challenges: Getting paid

Like any creative career, DJing isn’t an easy path. Success takes grind, networking, and an obsessive passion for music. And even with all that, financial stability isn’t guaranteed.
One of the biggest challenges is getting paid on time. If you have been in the industry long enough, you have likely had at least one gig where you weren’t paid — or had to send endless reminders for your payment. It has happened to me multiple times in different regions, and I know it is something almost every DJ has dealt with.
That is why Full Beams is launching a payment service to guarantee DJs get paid without the hassle of constant follow-ups. The goal is simple: to make sure DJs are treated as professionals and receive fair and timely compensation.
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Photo: Ayana Wyse

Education vs experience: Do DJs need formal training?

Some say DJing is purely a hands-on craft, something you learn by doing. But I believe formal education has its place.
At Full Beams Academy, we focus on teaching technical skills, industry best practices, and building confidence. We have partnered with Serato & BPM Supreme to teach these industry-standard tools, as well as help from a local Selecta DJ Store; the academy is designed for beginners and aspiring professionals who want to take DJing seriously.
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Having the support of Serato and BPM Supreme also puts us in a great position to offer deep insights into the tools and services that can help DJs succeed. Serato is one of the world’s leading DJ software platforms, while BPM Supreme is a digital music pool where DJs source their tracks. Teaching students how to use these tools effectively is a key part of what we do.
The academy isn’t just about learning how to mix — it is about building a real community. Open to anyone 18+, it welcomes students who want to explore DJing, whether as a passion or a career. The goal is to inspire, educate, and elevate the next generation of DJs in the Middle East.
I still remember what it felt like to want to start DJing but not knowing how to take that first step. That is why we created an environment where students can learn not just the technical aspects but also the business side of DJing — marketing, branding, networking, and positioning themselves in the industry.
The region’s music scene is booming, and DJ culture is evolving with it. There are more platforms, more opportunities, and more recognition than ever before. The future of DJing in this part of the world is only going up.
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