Let the DJ Tell the Story

This chapter explores the pivotal role of DJs in shaping electronic dance music through their dual function as curators and innovators in the genre’s evolution. The discussion traces the DJ’s influence from the early days of synthesised music, through the post-disco era, to contemporary digital practices. It emphasises how DJs, through their record collections and live performances, drive genre formation and preservation. Examples include the archival work of Frankie Knuckles and Sven Väth, and the establishment of the Museum of Modern Electronic Music (MOMEM). Fiketscher argues that DJs’ extensive music collections and their role in curating and presenting music are crucial in documenting and defining dance music history. This comprehensive view highlights DJs as both historical archivists and genre-defining artists in electronic dance music.