• Spotify Is Moving Closer to DJs

• Building a Playlist in Minutes

• The Evolution of DJing

• iPhone Premiere

• Halloween Party Cheat Codes

• You and AI... Are already Bffs

Spotify Finally Joins the DJ Booth (Yes, After We Hit Publish Last Week 🙃)

You know that feeling when you pack up your gear, leave the gig, and then the crowd suddenly decides now is the perfect time to go crazy? Yeah, that’s us right now.

The second we dropped last week’s newsletter, Spotify went and dropped their biggest DJ news in years: official integration with DJ software. After years of pulling access and leaving DJs scrambling for Tidal, Beatport, Beatsource, and SoundCloud, Spotify is officially in the booth.

This is a major shift—no more third-party workarounds or sketchy hacks. Spotify’s library, playlists, and algorithmic curation are now directly accessible in supported DJ platforms. For DJs who’ve built their entire client-facing playlists in Spotify (aka 90% of your couples and party clients), this makes prep a whole lot smoother.

✅ Where Spotify Works Now

Spotify Premium users in 51 markets can now log in through:

• djay Pro (macOS & Windows) – full catalog, Automix support, playlist access.

• Rekordbox (Performance Mode) – streaming into your library + compatible hardware like CDJs.

• Serato DJ Pro & Lite (desktop) – integrated Spotify login under version 3.3.5.

⚠️ Limitations & Gotchas

Before you fire up your next wedding or club gig entirely from Spotify, here’s the fine print:

• No offline mode — you’ll need a solid internet connection.

• No stems or stem separation on Spotify tracks.

• Playlist edits in-app are limited; you’ll still be managing them mostly in Spotify itself.

• Non-commercial use only — technically, Spotify tracks aren’t licensed for pro gigs.

• Desktop only — mobile apps aren’t supported yet.

📋 Pro Notes for DJs

• Think of Spotify as a prep tool: great for discovering and testing mixes at home, less reliable as your only crate at a gig.

• Keep your files: Local MP3s, WAVs, or record pool downloads still win for reliability, flexibility, and legal safety.

• Test your rig: Latency, stability, and WiFi quality can vary — don’t find out the hard way mid-set.

• Watch competitors: TIDAL, Beatport, and others still offer offline locker modes + stem compatibility. Spotify’s late return shows it’s playing catch-up.

👉 Whether you treat this as a game-changer or a “finally” moment, one thing’s clear: Spotify wants DJs back in the fold — but you’ll want to use it wisely.

The Halloween 100 Tonight on Twitch

We’re stacking the Halloween Top 100 in mixable order. You’ll walk away with a crate ready to run any Halloween party. Let’s build it together
🎥 Live on Twitch + cratehackathon.com

🗓️ Tuesday, 8PM ET / 5PM PT

Think wrangling a 100+ song Spotify list into a killer wedding set takes hours? Nah. Watch how Crate Hackers turns chaos into clean crates with Serato in record time. 🚀 From playlists to pro-ready sets — no stress, no guesswork.

👉 Watch the video and then try Crate Hackers free for 7 days. Your couples (and your sanity) will thank you.

From Wax To Waveforms: The Evolution of DJing

Once upon a time, DJs were judged by how many crates of vinyl they could haul without throwing out their backs. Fast forward a few decades, and now DJs are judged by how fast they can load Serato on a MacBook that’s older than the club’s sound system.

Decoded Magazine’s deep dive into the evolution of DJing reminds us how far we’ve come:

• Turntables & vinyl – DJs built the culture by literally digging through crates, battling skips, and praying needles stayed put when the dancefloor shook.

• CDJs & digital files – Suddenly, we went from carrying record bags to carrying USBs. (Back injuries: cured. USB anxiety: unlocked.)

• Laptop era – Serato, Traktor, and Rekordbox took over, giving DJs tools like hot cues, sync, and instant library access. Purists cried foul, but crowds danced harder than ever.

• AI, stems & streaming – Today’s DJs can isolate vocals, pull live edits, and stream crates in seconds. Whether you love it or hate it, AI and real-time processing are shaping what “DJing” means tomorrow.

Why it matters

This isn’t just nostalgia. Understanding the tech journey helps DJs see what’s coming next — more integration with AI, VR/AR performances, and tools that make mixing faster and cleaner. The gear might evolve, but the mission stays the same: keep people dancing.

Takeaway

From Technics 1200s to stems-powered software, DJing has always been about adapting the tools of the time. If you’re mad at AI, remember the same arguments were made about CDJs, sync buttons, and yes — even the crossfader.

Check out the full read here:

Adobe Premiere Comes to IPhone

What happened

Adobe just dropped a game-changer: Premiere Pro for iPhone. For the first time, DJs, creators, and mobile editors can run a full-fledged version of Adobe’s video editing software straight from their pocket.

Why it matters

Mobile-first content is no longer a trend — it’s the standard. With TikTok, Reels, and Shorts dominating, DJs and creators can now cut, color, and publish high-quality video content on the fly. No more waiting until you’re back at the laptop to edit your gig recap or promo reel.

Key features

• Multi-track editing – Layer clips like you would in the desktop version.

• 4K HDR support – Studio-quality visuals, all from your phone.

• AI-powered tools – Generate background sounds from a text prompt (or even a hum), and tap into Firefly for quick transitions, stickers, and effects.

• Cloud sync – Start editing on your phone, then finish on your desktop with Adobe Creative Cloud integration (desktop-to-phone sync coming later).

• Auto-captions – Subtitles generated instantly for accessibility and engagement.

The bigger picture

This move puts Adobe in direct competition with CapCut, Meta’s Edits, and other mobile-first platforms — but with the weight of pro-level editing tools. For DJs, that means one less excuse not to post polished content after gigs, and for creators, it’s another step toward fully replacing laptops with smartphones.

Bottom line

Adobe is betting big on mobile video workflows. If you’re serious about content, Premiere on iPhone just made it possible to go from recording to publishing without ever opening your laptop.

Some DJs are playing Monster Mash and calling it a Halloween set. That’s amateur hour. This week, you’re getting five cheat codes that turn basic costume gigs into unforgettable, high-energy chaos. These aren’t just spooky songs—they’re sneaky programming weapons hiding inside October’s fog machine haze.

• Cheat Code #1: Horrorcore Isn’t Dead—It’s Evolved Into TikTok EDM

• The sound design of early 2000s horrorcore rap is showing up in trending high-BPM TikTok edits—think distorted bass, choppy vocal stabs, and cinematic tension.

• Tracks like “Nightmare” by S3RL or remixes of Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites are blowing up among 18–30-year-olds looking for nostalgia and adrenaline.

🎯 Action Step: Stack a mini-set of dark, fast, horrorcore-adjacent EDM bangers—aim for 160 BPM double drops with theatrical FX. Bonus points if it samples a classic horror film scream.

• Cheat Code #2: Disney Villain Songs Go Off—If You Flip the Script

• DJs are sneaking in dark Disney villain anthems like “Be Prepared” (The Lion King) or “Friends on the Other Side” (Princess and the Frog)—but reimagined as deep house or trap edits.

• Gen Z lives for these ironic, theatrical drops—especially if they’re remixed with grimey basslines or techno flair.

🎯 Action Step: Dig SoundCloud for villain theme flips. Build a Halloween set section called “Evil Anthems” and treat it like an underground musical theater rave.

• Cheat Code #3: Skeleton Beats—Dancehall & Afrobeats Are Your BPM Glue

• Most Halloween sets are either too slow (classic rock) or too fast (trap/EDM). Dancehall & Afrobeats in the 95–110 BPM range are perfect for keeping hips moving without killing the mood.

• Tracks like “Who Told You” (J Hus feat. Drake) or “Bloody Samaritan” (Ayra Starr) hit the vibe and are easy to blend with both spooky and sexy sounds.

🎯 Action Step: Use “Skeleton Beats” as your in-between anchor: blend these tracks between costume contest hype and your next monster drop. Keep them dancing and guessing.

• Cheat Code #4: There’s Always One Screamo Kid—Give Them a Moment

• Early 2000s emo/screamo is having a full-on resurgence with Gen Z (thanks to TikTok + Olivia Rodrigo + Travis Barker’s revival run).

• Drop a 20-second tease of The Used, AFI, or Paramore—the right crowd will explode like it’s 2005 in Hot Topic.

🎯 Action Step: Cue up a fake-out transition where you hard cut into a scream-heavy chorus (think: “I’m Not Okay” by MCR), then slam into your next banger. It’s Halloween—scare ’em.

• Cheat Code #5: Movie Trailer Sound FX = Next-Level Drops

• DJs are layering horror trailer-style FX—riser booms, reversed screams, heartbeat subs—into transitions to turn every drop into a cinematic moment.

• Free FX packs on Splice and Loopmasters are full of gold: drag-and-drop tension builders, creaks, whispers, and glitch shrieks.

🎯 Action Step: Rebuild 3 of your go-to drops this week using horror trailer FX. Time them just before the kick hits. You’ll literally hear people gasp.

Some of you really don’t vibe with AI. We get it — the term feels overhyped, and there’s plenty of noise out there about “AI artists” replacing humans. But here’s the reality: if you’ve been DJing or producing music in the last few years, AI has already become part of your workflow… and chances are, you actually like the results.Think about it:

• Stem Separation – Serato, Rekordbox, Traktor, and VirtualDJ all let you pull vocals or instrumentals out of a track instantly. That’s AI.

• Mix Prep Tools – Software like DJ.Studio helps you build entire sets faster, so you spend less time on busywork and more time being creative.

• Playlist Intelligence – Smart crates, energy-level sorting, and mood-based recommendations? Yep, AI again.

• Audio Cleanup – Noise removal and vocal enhancement in production are powered by AI, helping artists deliver the polished tracks you already enjoy.

And it doesn’t stop at DJ booths. Look at the artists you already love. Plenty of big-name producers are quietly using AI to:

• Clean up vocals – AI-powered noise removal is the reason your favorite track doesn’t sound like it was recorded in a garage.

• Generate song ideas – Not full songs, but inspiration sparks, chord progressions, or sound design that becomes the backbone of a hit.

• Remix faster – That official remix you love? AI probably helped with tempo matching, stem extraction, or even re-pitching.

Even the biggest acts — from bedroom producers to major festival headliners — are leaning on AI to shave off the boring hours of editing so they can spend more time on creativity.

Here’s the punchline: AI isn’t here to replace DJs. It’s here to make sure you’re not still beatmatching with a stopwatch while the rest of the room is already singing along.

👉 So next time you say, “I hate AI,” just remember — you’re not just hating tech. You’re hating smoother prep, cleaner libraries, and faster creative workflows. And that’s fine… just don’t complain when the other DJ preps in 20 minutes and still has time for tacos before the gig.