DJ Academy Attracting L.A. Students
Video by Kristen Nakashioya
The electronic music scene has come a long way from where it was ten years ago.
Misfits and illegal warehouse gatherings once characterized the electronic music culture. The Music Business Journal estimates it is now a $4 billion industry.
Calvin Harris used to work at a grocery store. He is now the highest paid DJ in the world and reportedly made $46 million last year. However, not all DJs are making millions.
“I know more broke DJs than I know millionaire DJs,” said DJ Hapa from the Los Angeles DJ Scratch Academy. “The average pay for an average DJ is about $300 a night.
While some students are hoping to book paid gigs, many people just want to learn for fun. “If it’s a full time thing, I wouldn’t mind, but just for now I’m in a happy place with my life so its something I like to do,” said DJ Eli-M, a student at DJ Scratch Academy.
DJ Scratch Academy fills almost all of their classes to capacity, showing the growing popularity of the art form.
