Sports DJ Sound Off: 2014-15 Pro & College Basketball Playlist
At 3 Point Productions, we believe the soundtrack to any event is extremely important in providing a first-class fan experience. Our Sports DJ Sound Off series is designed to help you better soundtrack your game nights and understand the impact a DJ can have when building on in-game momentum and developing a home court advantage.
Walk-In Music
Walk-in music starts the moment arena doors open and fans enter. These selections can really set the tone for the event. Look to incorporate both new hits and old favorites. Keep the tone generally upbeat and base the selections on the game theme or the night of the week (i.e. On Friday/Saturday nights, music can be steered more toward young adults. Sundays more toward families). Here are few example selections to add to your library:
1. "Come to My Party" - Black Joe Lewis
2. "Rock the House" - Gorillaz (edited version)
3. "Nonstop!" - Kolombo & Sharam Jey
4. "Ain't Messin' Around" - Gary Clark Jr.
5. "GDFR" - Flo Rida (edited version)
6. "Everyday a Star is Born" - Jay-Z (edited version)
Oldies but goodies:
1. "Get on the Good Foot" - James Brown
2. "People Everyday" - Arrested Development (edited version)
3. "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See" - Busta Rhymes (edited version)
4. "The Seed 2.0" - The Roots (edited version)
Player Warm-Up Songs
Player warm-up songs are tracks that should be played during formal player warm-ups. I deem this time as theirs. Typically, the players may have some influence with some of these selections. The mood of the music should be game face. Here are some examples to add to your library.
1. "i" - Kendrick Lamar (edited version)
2. "0 to 100" - Drake (edited version)
3. "Hold Me Back" - Rick Ross (edited version)
4. "Watch Out For This" - Major Lazer (edited version)
5. "Rotation" - Wale (edited version)
6. "Hell of a Night" - Schoolboy Q (edited version)
7. "We Dem Boys" - Wiz Khalifa (edited version)
8. "Trophies" - Young Money (edited version)
Hot Songs
Hot songs can carry momentum for the duration of a timeout and help build on fan momentum. Typically these songs are feel good or celebratory types of songs. Cue these tracks into the chorus or an upbeat portion so the song leads hot. Here are a few good examples to add to your music library.
1. "Booyah" - Showtek
2. "Get Up" - Bingo Players & Far East Movement
3. "Bad" - David Guetta
4. "NRG" - Duck Sauce
5. "Satisfaction" - Benny Benassi (edited version)
6. "Let's Get Ridiculous" - Redfoo (edited version)
Oldies but goodies:
1. "Strike it Up" - Blackbox
2. "We Will Rock You" - Queen
3. "Zombie Nation" - Kernkraft
4. "Rock & Roll Part 2" - Gary Glitter
In-game Music Beds
Unlike college basketball, DJs play music beds and fan prompts during gameplay in a professional game. There are limits to what DJs can play when the home team is on defense, but the rules open up a little bit more when the home team is on offense. The rule states that you can play instrumentals as long as they don't contain song lyrics. Here are some good beats to incorporate as in-game tracks.
1. "Goldie" - A$AP Rocky (instrumental)
2. "Freaks & Geeks" - Childish Gambino (instrumental)
3. "I'm Different" - 2 Chainz (instrumental)
4. "Play" - David Banner (instrumental)
5. "Black Skinhead" - Kanye West (instrumental)
6. "Dum Dum" - Baauer (instrumental)
7. "Simon Says" - Pharoahe Monch (instrumental)
8. "Universal Mind Control" - Common (instrumental)
A well soundtracked game is sure to improve your overall fan experience. Outside of the songs I've highlighted here, there are plenty of opportunities to be creative in theming out your presentation. Take a good look at how you're currently theming your in-game prompts, promos and sponsor activations to ensure the soundtrack is fresh and fits the brand(s) you're working with. A great audio experience is built in pre-production - not on game day. Build cues for every possible in-game scenario, so that when the time comes, your DJ is a click away from responding with the perfect song or sound effect. Game presentation is an art form and the beauty is in each detail.
If you enjoyed this blog entry, you may find this article useful as well:
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