Karaoke Forums

there's gotta be different types of KJs out there like different types of blood, right

can we get some definitions out for fun

is any KJ just one type or are we mixed?

A Karaoke Singer's KJ:

this type of KJ will allow the last karaoke singer to sing even though it's 25 minutes after karaoke was supposed to end, despite pissing off the manager. this KJ doesn't play long dance spots. s/he compliments every singer bar none and asks everyone to clap. has a quick rotation that's fair. this KJ seldom if ever sings. you never see this KJ take a smoke break or goto the bathroom. karaoke singers are the only people that "get" him or her.

feel free to add on the definitions or create one

The Stubborn KJ:

This KJ continues to play one type of genre of songs in-between singers that no one cares for only because it's pleases him/her. This KJ is always in the rotation and can't sing but won't hear of it if you complain. This KJ often has a frown or a serious look on their face that is unyielding. Any suggestions by anyone is immediately met with "NO." This KJ is a decent KJ and DJ, but is such a brick wall, they're no fun. Fortunately, this KJ doesn't have many nights to work because when asked to work a little more, the answer is an immediate "NO."

The Club KJ:

What karaoke? it's always a club with this KJ. karaoke singers avoid him/her because you're only singing 1 or 2 songs if you're lucky. The music is always loud. For some reason, this club KJ has a following (usually of close friends) with enough folks in the crew that any karaoke singers, managers, patrons are overruled by The Crew. This club KJ has a high tolerance for alcohol. You hate to admit it, but checking out this club KJ once in awhile is a guilty pleasure for you. It may be the same old dance or club songs and line dances every time you go, but it isn't an earache. everytime you go, that club KJ is still there. you don't know how they do it.

The Professional:

This KJ is incredible. Their sound is always on point. Always. They have every karaoke song imaginable. This KJ is usually neat, good-looking, well dressed, well-liked, completely professional at all times and can sing. Yes, they sing well too. Did I mention this KJ is a friendly, nice, person as well? You've never seen this cat sweat. Their shows are each classics. Classics. This KJ is what you wanna be when you grow up. You always root for this KJ, you can't hate on them. You wonder why this KJ isn't on TV or famous already.

The KJerk:

haven't seen this KJ in abundance since the early to mid 90s. s/he's still around these days but not as verbally bold as in the 90s when s/he thrived unchecked. this cat puts the jerk in jockey. always a snide comment on the mic. get ready to be skipped out of the rotation with this cat for no reason at all. if he doesn't like you or your singing in the slightest, your mic gets turned down. he's quick with a boldface lie too. please don't tell him it's your first time here and it's your friend's birthday tonight. please don't. he/she usually has a past where they ended up doing karaoke by 'mistake' after a different career/job didn't pan out. this cat loves to play obnoxious taped sounds that are sometimes vulgar.

again, feel free to add or correct any "definition" or make up your own

the Get-By KJ:

this cat does the absolute minimalist to get by. if that's a word. their karaoke book is flimsy of about 25 pages, but surprisingly has enough songs to get by. this cat will play the same 3 homemade cds week after week throughout the night in-between singers. if noone's singing at the moment, this cat will head to the bar and chat it up with the bartenders without a care in the world, while letting the cd #1 of 3 play in the background. this cat hardly ever announces karaoke is going on. there's only 1 mic. no paper to write songs, no pens to write songs, just tell him/her if you happen to see them. but anything you ask of them gets a big sigh, yet they usually do it. they're actually not a bad host at all, but their effort level stays on zero. warning: your karaoke song request will wait about 10 minutes, even if no one is singing.

High-Energy KJ:

this cat knows 1 volume: loud. this KJ has a loud voice and plays high-energy songs in-between singers. we're talking: C&C Music Factory and MC Hammer. this host constantly asks "are you having a good time???" throughout the night. a dance song is played after every singer. this KJ usually can't sing, but will and the song will be "da butt" or "jungle love". which won't pump up the crowd because this KJ isn't a good singer which will leave them frustrated. when this KJ is hanging out to check out karaoke, he'll try to convince the KJ there to put him on for a quick set to pump up the crowd. are you having a good time??? sometimes, this is the very first KJ you ever happen to meet and you wonder if this is how karaoke always is.

(i actually like playing Hammer & C&C)

The Fun KJ:

this cat is just fun period. they always dress up great for holidays and have their set dressed up too. their karaoke nights feels like adult recess. always puts a smile on your face. this KJ stays in a good mood. each show may end with a big circle where the KJ invites everyone into the circle to hold hands or the last song will be a crowd pleaser where everyone passes the mic and gets a line or word. everyone is welcome to this KJs show and everyone is happy. this KJ immediately makes you feel like family to him and the other singers. you dig this KJ a lot, but there's always some background beef with this KJ and management that won't allow him to stay at the venue long. it's like this KJ seems to always pick the worst venues to work at (management-wise) and their show is always so good, but they will get dropped in a few months due to weird business beef. this KJ is definitely under-appreciated, under-represented and needs more KJs like them out there.

The Nomad KJ:

this KJ is always hired then dropped and on to the next venue. you don't know why or how this KJ gets put on, then gets put out so often. his/her show isn't great, but it isn't bad. you're always getting invites from said KJ to their latest gig and your thought is always "a new spot...again?". this KJ usually has a good marketing skills though.

The Biased KJ:

This KJ thinks all KJs can be lumped into categories. The KJ passes judgement in the way they describe certain aspects of karaoke shows as self-evidently good or bad, presumably based on their own characteristics. The KJ simplifies the variables that make a karaoke successful, and passive aggressively dismisses alternative ways of hosting while promoting the status quo.

Sorry, couldn't resist! All in fun, right?

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C Mc
KJ, FL

ha! i love it!

i get it, i get it

*daps*

I think there only three kinds Bad, Good, and Excellent.

Oh and I hope I'm one of the last two.

How about So-So (not necessarily Good, but also not Bad)?

You should have said hello when you came to my show! Could have gone to the diner after....

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

Two kinds.

1-The kj who runs an efficient, fair rotation, has a good setup they know how to use, and realizes once per rotation if at all is how often people want to hear the kj sing or play extensive filler music when there is a rotation of 5 or more, and...

2-The kj who doesn't get it.

Since there are a lot of subjective points (rotation, personality, sound, library content, etc...), I'd probably have to go with:

Professional, popular Karaoke Host

Or

Unprofessional, unpopular KJ

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

You left out "Unprofessional yet Popular KJ" (and believe me, they ARE out there).

Cueball is definitely correct! When a great venue gets a hold of a bad KJ, the KJ is usually popular despite their suckitude. It always catches up with them eventually, though.

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C Mc
KJ, FL