User:Tuanonigator/History of DJing

The modern DJ's role as a performer has evolved immensely since its conception. The role originated with radio personalities who would simply select singles to be played over the radio. The contemporary role involves creating a seamless mix of music, generally using two turntables or a digital controller, intended for an audience at a club or dance party.

In 1970 BBC Radio 1 employs the first ever female radio DJ Annie Nightingale. She remains the longest-serving presenter at BBC to this day. In honor of Nightingale a scholarship was set up with her name for female and non-binary DJ's. (Roberts, H. (2024, Jan 12). Annie Nightingale: First female DJ on BBC Radio 1 and broadcasting trailblazer. Press Association)

In 1997 the DJ collective "Sister SF" was established. Born in San Francisco "Sister SF" served as the first and longest running women-centered DJ collective in the United States. The collective was created in order to create a space for female DJ's to have a community and support each other in their careers. Access to the same information, performance practices, and spaces that Male DJ's are afforded was also a primary objective of the collective. At its peak in 2005 the collective boasted three chapters, the original in San Francisco and the others in Portland and New York City. The collective lasted up until at least 2009 and has dissolved since, although unclear exactly when. (Rebekah Farrugia (2009) Building a women-centered DJ Collective, Feminist Media Studies, 9:3, 335-351, DOI: 10.1080/14680770903068308)