DJing fall on hard times amid drug busts
The Hindu
The drug bust at Poovar in which three alleged racketeers were nabbed and many others briefly detained from a resort a week ago dealt a body blow to the bustling hospitality industry
Grabbing headlines for the wrong reasons in recent times, DJ parties face an uncertain future with the hospitality industry jittery over the prospect of impromptu drug raids that could ruin reputations. A spate of show cancellations during the year-end festive season has left DJs worried over the impact the recent narcotics cases could have on their livelihood.
Triggered by the recent drug haul at a rave party in Poovar near here and the suspected narcotics angle in the sensational case relating to the deaths of two models in Kochi, the adversity could hardly have come at a more inopportune time when the industry has been witnessing signs of revival following the easing of the pandemic restrictions. But, the prevailing circumstances has now prompted many to consider other career avenues for sustenance.
“We could be in the midst of our greatest crisis yet,” says Arun S. aka DJ Arun, an industry ‘veteran’ with 15 years of experience behind the turntable. Arun, who donned the chef’s hat and turned to catering during the recent lock down, said the setback is bound to affect not just the disk jockeys (DJ), but also the light and sound, and food and beverage industries.