by Kaz Gratz
Music unites people from all over the globe and lifts our spirits. Even in a global pandemic, you notice people of all ages staying connected by posting their favorite dance moves on TikTok and other social networks. Every culture and section of the world has their own unique sound that moves the natives. Dance is deep rooted in spirituality, culture, and wellness. You may know a bunch of popular dance styles, like the Cha-Cha, ballet, salsa, or breakdancing, but not where they began. In New Jersey, Jersey Club Music is that sound urging not to be forgotten.
Jersey Club music originated in Newark, NJ in the late 90's/early 2000's. Pioneers like DJ Tameil, Tim Dolla and Mike V were inspired by Baltimore Club, house music, and Hip-Hop to create this new genre of swift upbeat tempo, bass drops, and repetitive, catchy lyrics. These songs often come with instructions to certain original dance moves like: the sexy walk, slow motion, rock your hips, or sharp bounce to name a few. It was originally called Brick City Club, after Newark's nickname Brick City, but was changed to Jersey Club when producers all over the state chimed in to amplify its sound.
DJ Bake, a young producer from Trenton, has been instrumental in revolutionizing the genre and helping it transcend state lines. At the start of his career, he called himself DJ Stackz. He changed it after his friends in high school started calling him Bake (after his last name Baker). His DJ tag, Bake from the Book, was borrowed from North Jersey slang around the beginning of the Facebook era. With 70.8K YouTube subscribers and over 15 million views, he is just one of the many producers who’s used the internet and social media to help popularize Jersey Club Music all around the world. I spoke with Bake about the start of his DJ career, the challenges of being a DJ in a pandemic, the future of Jersey Club music, and more.
Kaz (KG): When did you start DJing and why?
Bake (B): I started DJing around 2010, but I took it more seriously in 2013. They used to have these firehouse parties in Trenton, but I was too young to go. They were in high school already and I wasn't. I thought if I started DJing maybe they would let me in.
KG: What does Jersey Club music mean to you?
B: I've met so many people because of Club music. Not even just in Jersey, I've met people from Philly who make their own Club music and Baltimore too. It's not really what it means to me, it's more like that's what I stand on.
Honestly, it's a lifestyle.
KG: I like that answer a lot. I grew up listening to Jersey Club too and learning all of the dances. We’d watch the videos on Youtube and then be doing them at the next party. It literally is a lifestyle for many of us. How do you think Jersey Club Music has evolved over time?
B: It's getting bigger and bigger. A lot of famous people are kind of copying it, but it doesn't sound right because it's not coming from somebody from Jersey. They'll get a Hollywood producer to try and imitate it. I feel like if that's happening, then it's soon to be its own genre. A known genre. Right now, it's very international but people in America aren't really seeing it yet. But famous people are definitely watching.
KG: Let’s talk about the evolution of the sound. How’s it changed over time?
B: The sound definitely did change from when DJ Tameil first bought club music to Jersey, to like Jayhood, to me, and to the newer producers. It’s way different. I call it childish club because it’s basically for dancers and teenagers. We don’t play that in the club. But I’ll play that if I’m DJing at a sweet sixteen or something. It’s way faster, there are mad chops, more added on sounds and stuff like that. It’s way different but, that’s the new generation of music. Everybody respects everybody’s craft. I’m still going to do my thing and keep my flow. They got their own wave.
KG: You touched on this earlier and I really want to circle back. What do you think of Jersey Club music being used in mainstream songs?
B: I feel like they should come to Jersey. It's not hard. Nobody out here in Jersey who makes Club music is too famous that it would be hard to get in contact with. I feel like artists should just come here and grab somebody. It'll start a chain reaction. Everybody who makes Jersey Club Music rock with each other, so if one person goes, they'll collab with another person. Now that's two people with their name out there. It'll just start a train, but they don't want to do that. They just want to get people to imitate it, and it never sounds right.
KG: With that in mind, what do you think the future of Jersey Club looks like?
B: Internationally, Jersey Club is already big. People in China and Japan dance to it and shout us out when they play our songs or dance to it. I feel like it's America that is stuck outside of the box. But I can't blame them because every part of America has their own type of music. Sooner or later, it'll be everywhere. I think Florida is the only place that imitates our music, but they still give us our shout-outs and they add their own flavor to it. Everyone else acts like they don't like it. In the next 5-10 years, I promise you it’s going to be a mainstream genre. It’s going to be way bigger than it is right now. I feel like famous people are going to come to Jersey to get producers to make songs for them. People are going to want their songs remixed in Jersey Club. It’s already getting there now.
KG: We are already seeing that type of shift happen. Who would you say are your biggest music influences?
B: I'm going to stick to Club music on this. Number one, would definitely be DJ Sliink. It's crazy how I grew up listening to him and kind of imitating his style, but then when I got to college I was at his house making music with him. That was a crazy moment for me. Can't forget DJ Jayhood. I'm going to say a couple younger guys too, like Carvell on the Beat. I was listening to him before I met him, now that's my best friend. Those three are definitely my top. It's always fun working with other DJs, it's like a creative bubble. None of us really have the same style, it's fun combining our styles together and making music from scratch.
KG: A little earlier, you said that the virus was your biggest overall challenge right now. How specifically has the virus impacted your work?
B: When the virus first happened, I probably didn't DJ for like 3-4 months. No cap. Then I guess places started adapting to it like us DJing on Zoom, Facebook live or Instagram live. Then Instagram started flagging us for copyright issues with certain songs, so it was just making it corny. Then it got to a point where I wasn't touching my DJ equipment for weeks. Then it opened back up a little bit, there were a lot of rules, but it hasn’t been the same. I feel like since January, the party and club scene hasn't been the same.
KG: You bought up an interesting point about DJs having a following earlier. Do you think that social media impacts your work?
B: Yes. That's where DJ's have to promote themselves. I feel like social media has watered down the DJ world. Now anybody can jump on there, go buy some followers, and call themselves a DJ.
KG: I never thought of it like that. We talked a bit about some of the negatives, but what does success as a DJ look or feel like to you?
B: I’m also an event planner. When I throw my own event and someone tells me it's legendary, that’s success. Or when people go home and tweet or post about it and leave all good reviews. When I sell out also, that’s success to me. Another example on the DJ side, when I’m booked for an event - let’s say I’m DJing a 60 year old birthday party and everyone leaves happy, that’s success to me.
KG: It’s so dope how you basically taught yourself how to DJ and produce. I’m sure there are a lot of people out there who don’t even know where to begin. Do you have any advice for anybody who’d like to start DJing?
B: Just do it. Don’t think about it, just do it. It might be hard, but with time and practice you’ll get it. In my city, there’s a lot of older DJs. I became a DJ at a young age. I felt like nobody wanted to deal with me because they were older and I was a kid. I literally stayed in my basement everyday and just learned. To the point where now, those same older people are giving me my props.
KG: I just have one last question to wrap up this interview. What would you say to anyone who doesn't like or recognize Jersey Club as a genre?
B: That's BS! At the end of the day, there’s a thousand genres out there. America only acknowledges certain genres, which is why we have to break those boundaries. Jersey Club's been going on since the 90’s and it's still going strong. So it might be slow, but we're definitely going up!