• Hello Apple Music

• Making Money on TikTok

• ChatGPT - Helping Creators Get Unstuck

• 10 Minute Crate Prep with Dom

• Dancehall Crate

Apple Music Joins the DJ Booth - And It’s a Game-Changer

After years of DJs side-eyeing Apple Music for not being “club-ready,” Apple just made a massive entrance into the booth—and it’s not a soft launch. With integrations now live across Serato, Rekordbox, Engine DJ, Denon DJ, Numark, and AlphaTheta hardware, Apple Music is officially in the mix (literally).

If you’re a DJ using Apple Music personally, or just tired of juggling platforms to find and prep tracks, this update is the news you’ve been waiting for.

What’s Actually New

• Laptop DJ Integration – Serato and Rekordbox now allow you to stream Apple Music tracks directly into your sets. That’s right: your meticulously curated playlists can go straight from your earbuds to your turntables.

• Standalone Hardware Support – Devices like the AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ, Denon DJ Prime 4+, and Numark Mixstream Pro Go now support Apple Music via firmware updates—no laptop needed, just Wi-Fi and vibes.

• Mobile Workflow Sync – You can create playlists on your iPhone and access them directly on your DJ setup. This makes on-the-go prep and spontaneous inspiration a lot more practical.

• Dedicated DJ Section on Apple Music – Apple’s even added a “DJ with Apple Music” category in the app, featuring curated playlists specifically tailored for DJ use—think bangers, remixes, instrumentals, and genre collections you won’t find in your typical Top 40 charts.

Why DJs Should Actually Care

• Access to 100 Million+ Tracks – Apple Music’s library is huge, and now you can stream tracks in high quality directly into your performance—perfect for open-format, wedding, bar, and corporate DJs who need flexibility.

• Smart Crate Building – Create and test playlists on your phone, then bring them into your software or controller without dragging files around. Apple’s deep ecosystem now works with your DJ life.

• Perfect for Apple Users – If you’re already using Apple Music personally, this bridges the gap between casual listening and professional DJing.

• Standalone = Freedom – Controllers with built-in Apple Music access are now viable standalone solutions, whether you’re on the beach, in a lounge, or spinning a quick pop-up set.

What to Watch

This is still streaming, so offline playback will vary depending on the device. Also, Apple Music tracks aren’t downloadable into your DJ library, so if your venue has no Wi-Fi (and no hotspot), plan accordingly.

But considering the reach of Apple, the DJ-curated playlists, and the sudden gear compatibility across all major ecosystems, this could signal the start of streaming becoming the default for crate-digging.

The Big Picture

Apple Music’s integration is a big win for DJs who want convenience, music variety, and ecosystem compatibility. It may not replace your go-to record pool (yet), but it adds serious flexibility to your workflow—and that is worth its weight in digital crates.

👉 Read the full story and hardware breakdown here via Digital DJ Tips

📱 Check out the new “DJ with Apple Music” category now live in the Apple Music app for curated playlists to get your setlists started.

How DJs Can Actually Make Money on TikTok in 2025

If you’re spending hours perfecting transitions, remixing trending sounds, or dropping fire sets on TikTok and not making a dime—we need to fix that. Thankfully, TikTok in 2025 isn’t just for going viral—it’s also for getting paid, and the platform has rolled out multiple ways for DJs and music creators to turn content into cash.

Let’s break it down, so you can finally make TikTok work for you (and not just the algorithm gods).

Key Monetization Strategies on TikTok (That Actually Work)

🧠 1. Creator Rewards Program

TikTok’s revamped monetization model rewards quality over quantity. You’ll need:

• 10,000+ followers

• 100,000+ video views over the last 30 days

• Videos longer than 1 minute

• At least 1,000 For You Page views

And no, it won’t pay you for reposts or lazy edits. Think original content—mix breakdowns, gear reviews, set recaps, crowd reactions—the stuff DJs do best.

🛒 2. TikTok Shop

This is where things get real. You can now:

• Sell your own DJ merch

• Recommend products you actually use (headphones, controllers, lights)

• Earn affiliate commissions directly through your videos

Pair this with an engaging review or a mix session that uses the product, and now your content is both entertaining and making you money.

🎁 3. LIVE Gifts

If you’re streaming sets, behind-the-scenes sessions, or just vibing with your audience, your fans can now send virtual gifts (that convert to real money) via TikTok LIVE.

• Requires Creator Next enrollment

• Viewers use TikTok Coins, you cash out

💎 4. Creator Subscriptions

This one’s perfect for DJs with a loyal following. Offer:

• Exclusive remixes or edits

• Private livestream sets

• Setlist breakdowns or tutorials

Charge a small monthly fee, and suddenly you’re building recurring revenue around your community—not just chasing views.

🎛 Why DJs Should Actually Care

• Monetization Without Leaving the Platform – No more juggling Patreon, Shopify, and Twitch. TikTok is turning into a full-stack creator economy hub.

• Deeper Fan Engagement – Subscriptions and LIVE allow your most loyal fans to connect with you on a more personal level (and support you financially).

• You’re Already Doing the Work – If you’re mixing, performing, reviewing gear, or even talking about music trends, you’re sitting on monetizable content. You just need to package it right.

📈 The Big Picture

TikTok is no longer just about clout—it’s a legit business platform for creators. And with DJs already dominating music discovery and setting trends, it’s time to cash in on the attention you’re already earning. The tools are there—Creator Rewards, TikTok Shop, Subscriptions, and LIVE Gifts—you just need to plug in and press play.

🚨 Are you ready to stop giving your content away for free?

👉 Read the full guide on making money on TikTok here and start turning those likes into income.

In our last poll we asked “Are you using TikTok for your DJ brand” and 39% responded: “Not On It But I Want To”

ChatGPT – The Secret Sauce for DJs & Creators in 2025

If you’re a DJ, music creator, or content machine constantly stuck on what to post next or how to keep your audience hyped—ChatGPT just might be your new favorite backspin. According to Forbes, (and us right here) creators across industries are now leaning on AI to speed up their workflows, fuel their ideas, and automate the boring stuff so they can get back to creating.

Here’s how you can do the same—plus example prompts to steal and start using now:

💡 1. Idea Generation

Running low on post ideas or remix themes? ChatGPT can help you brainstorm new content, mixes, or even unique gig promos.

Try this prompt: “Give me 10 creative TikTok video ideas for a DJ who specializes in 90s hip-hop and performs at private events.”

📅 2. Content Planning

Not sure what to post and when? ChatGPT can help structure your content calendar, batch content, and suggest a flow for multiple platforms.

Try this prompt: “Create a 1-week Instagram content plan for a mobile DJ, including reels, stories, and caption ideas that build hype for weekend gigs.”

✍️ 3. Script & Copywriting

Need a quick script for a YouTube short, ad, or promo video? Let ChatGPT help you sound slick and professional—or sarcastic and hilarious, your choice.

Try this prompt: “Write a 30-second promo script for a DJ who’s headlining a beach party this Saturday. Make it energetic and funny.”

📈 4. Audience Engagement

Want more comments and shares? Use ChatGPT to craft hooks, write polls, or generate engaging questions that keep your followers talking.

Try this prompt: “Give me 5 Instagram story poll ideas that a DJ could use to engage their audience about music genres, requests, or gear.”

🧠 5. Repurposing Content

Reposting your best stuff isn’t lazy—it’s smart. ChatGPT can help turn old posts into fresh formats: blog to reel, TikTok to email, mix to promo clip.

Try this prompt: “Take this YouTube video description and turn it into a short, punchy Instagram caption: [paste description here]”

🎚 Why DJs Should Actually Use This

• Save Time: Spend less time thinking, more time mixing.

• Stay Consistent: Fill in those content gaps with ease.

• Sound Better: Clean up your writing or add your voice with tone tweaks.

• Stay Ahead: While others post once a week, you’ll have a month’s worth of content locked and loaded.

The Big Picture

ChatGPT isn’t here to replace DJs or creators—it’s here to help you stay in the creative zone while keeping your brand sharp and consistent. Think of it like your digital assistant… that doesn’t require a rider or a green room.

👉 Read the full Forbes article on how creators are using ChatGPT and steal more prompts while you’re at it.

This video shows how DJs can cut down crate prep time from 2 hours to just 15 minutes using ChatGPT and some clever tools. From curating custom playlists based on the couple’s preferences to exporting sets directly into DJ software like Virtual DJ and Serato—this is wedding DJing leveled up.

BONUS: We’ve got a special 7-day free trial of Crate Hackers so you can take your crate digging to the next level. Grab it here: https://www.cratehackers.com/7daytrial