An Open Letter to Facebook and Instagram

Dear Facebook and Instagram,

During this unprecedented time when millions of Americans are staying home to bend the curve of this deadly pandemic and in turn help our frontline healthcare workers, more Americans are turning to social media platforms for entertainment and escape.

One of the many popular forms of entertainment available has come from DJs who have been doing live sets in hopes of providing a musical and emotional escape that so many of us need to get through these tough times. However, a concern that has come up time and time again from many DJs all over the world, have been seemingly haphazard time restrictions as well as the silencing of music & cutting off streams while they do their sets. This is, to say the least, disappointing and on some levels discouraging. Why are some DJs being allowed to play without restriction while others are cut off so quickly?

There are tens of thousands of talented DJs all over the planet, who like everyone else have lost their jobs and seen their world upended from Covid-19. These DJs are mothers, fathers, teachers, community leaders, entertainers, and care providers who are being forced to sacrifice like everyone else. However, they are in a unique position to help heal and uplift through the gift of music and provide a sense of community both on an international level, as we’ve seen with high profile deejays like Questlove, Manny Fresh, Jazzy Jeff and D-Nice, and on a local level where many, who are too numerous to name, are important staples who provide stability and familiarity.

The role DJs play is an important one for many communities who are seeking to find some sort of normalcy and connection to friends and loved ones they are now separated from. It may show up in the form of a dad playing a special set for his kids who are having a virtual birthday party with cousins and classmates, or a favorite neighborhood DJ who plays those unique songs that hold meaning for a group of people holding a virtual happy hour, or numerous other online social gatherings. The constant silencing of music, time restrictions and outright cutoffs is frustrating for more than just the DJ but for the community of folks he or she are playing for.

Even though the professional DJ world is competitive, most of us understand that we all have something in common — a unique passion for music that creates a special & positive atmosphere for people in clubs, corporate events, private parties, weddings, pubs, or performances with recording artists. Each type of event mentioned is important, not just because it might be a special occasion, but because of the emotions that are associated with these gatherings and the fond memories they create.

During this time of shelter-at-home, many of these life-altering events have been cancelled or postponed. DJs can not replace the loss of the memories that go with these events, but we can fill the emotional void by playing music for the people, their circles, and communities impacted via your platforms.  During this time, there should be no limits placed on these DJs. They are playing from their hearts and souls -- to comfort, to soothe, and to remind everyone that music brings us together. 

Lastly, and it should be noted, that many of the DJs, especially those who do what they do on a professional level, have permission from record labels and promotional representatives who are pushing for more visibility. Many DJs have been given promotional versions of songs & paid (out of their own pockets) for the music they play, having purchased the music through (for instance) a digital record pool. In many instances we have seen DJs cut off for playing a song they actually produced or remixed in their live sets. It only follows that all DJs should be treated equally by Facebook and Instagram. So in closing, what we are simply trying to say is…

#LETTHEDJSPLAY — ALL THE DJs

Thank you for your consideration.

Signed, the worldwide DJ community

Letter written by Dj Alex Mejia, Dj Davey D, & Dj Platurn