Entertainment News: Michael Jackson's Party Anthems: DJ Drama, Jermaine Dupri, More Reveal Their Favorites

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Michael Jackson's Party Anthems: DJ Drama, Jermaine Dupri, More Reveal Their Favorites

'Michael Jackson's music can absolutely crush a party!' Q-Tip tells MTV News.
By Shaheem Reid

Michael Jackson
Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage

Friday (June 25) marks the one-year anniversary of Michael Jackson's death. Fans across the globe are still heartbroken that the King of Pop is no longer with us, but this weekend, they will celebrate his memory by singing his songs and dancing to his music, just like Jackson wanted them to do while he was still here.

We spoke to several DJs and asked them which of MJ's songs are their favorites to play in the club. " 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough,' " Jermaine Dupri said Friday morning. "Because it embodies what clubs in the '80s were really about, and you can hear it. For the three minutes you throw that on, you start believing you're back there. At least I do."

"Probably 'P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing),' " DJ Drama said via phone from India. "It gets all the drunk and hot girls excited!"

" 'P.Y.T.,' " DJ Envy agreed. " 'Beat It,' 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'.' "

Q-Tip, who became a legend in hip-hop for his abstract rhymes, had a few nonconventional choices. "Michael Jackson's music can absolutely crush a party!" said Tip, who DJs all around the world. "The obvious records are 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough' and 'Rock With You.' My personal faves are 'Life of the Party,' 'Get on the Floor' and 'Body Language.' Also, 'Show Me the Way to Go.' "

"My two favorites are 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough' and 'Billie Jean.' They both are so timeless," said DJ Kut, who spins on WBLS in New York. "They even make me wanna dance, and I don't dance!"

"Definitely one of my all-time favorites that can work at any party in the world is 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough,' " Miami's DJ Affect said. "The title explains it best. ... That record is a party starter! Followed up by 'Billie Jean,' which always gets the ladies moving on any dance floor. To conclude the night around 4:55 a.m. in South Beach, 'Dirty Diana' is the perfect go-to record. MJ will truly be missed and never forgotten."

Lil Jon went with the classics: " 'Billie Jean.' Soon as the drums drop, people go nuts and they love to sing the hook! 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin',' I use the 'ma ma say, ma ma sa' part all the time to get the whole club crazy. 'Rock With You,' I drop the a cappella, and everyone is singing, from thugs to nerds. Then I drop the beat and send the club into a frenzy!"

"You can go to any club on the planet and hear 'Billie Jean,' 'Beat It,' " said DJ Jazzy Jeff, who released the Jackson tribute mixtape He's the King, I'm the DJ last year. "You can hear 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'.' Those are his main, main super staples; an Eskimo in Alaska knows those."

MTV will be remembering the life and music of Michael Jackson all weekend. Don't miss the one-hour special "Michael Jackson's Influence on Music," airing tonight at 6:30 p.m. on MTV.

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