Slacker Media & Beatport Launch Nationwide DJ Competition

A New Path for Emerging Talent

Slacker Media Group, the experiential nightlife company behind rapidly growing themed events such as It’s A 2000’s Party and Sploinky Rave, has announced a new nationwide DJ competition in partnership with Beatport. This initiative is designed to identify and elevate emerging talent, prioritizing technical ability and creative performance over digital metrics.

Running from June 8 through June 28, the competition invites DJs to submit a one-minute performance video. Participants are required to tag both brands to be considered for a grand prize that includes an $8,000 total cash purse and a 10-city headlining tour across Slacker Media Group’s event circuit.

A Panel of Industry Experts

The selection process will be overseen by a high-profile panel of judges, ensuring that the search for talent remains rooted in professional standards. The panel features Tay James, the longtime DJ for Justin Bieber and a prominent figure in open-format mixing, alongside house music technical expert James Hype and veteran club performer DJ Spider. Representatives from both Slacker Media Group and Beatport will also participate in the evaluation.

“At a time when so much of the industry feels transactional, we wanted to create something that reminds people why DJ culture matters in the first place,” says Ross Friedman, CEO of Slacker Media Group. “This is about giving genuinely talented performers a platform without needing to already be famous online.”

Redefining Nightlife Standards

The announcement follows a period of significant growth for Slacker Media Group, which reported over 125,000 tickets sold across its events in the previous year. By focusing on a talent-first booking model, the company aims to challenge the industry trend of prioritizing artists based on social media followings or pre-existing ticket-selling power. This approach is further supported by new content strategies that spotlight artists through collaborative posts and mix showcases, providing a platform for growth beyond the artists’ own established audiences.

This initiative also aligns with the broader strategic vision of Beatport. Following the integration of Beatsource, the company has focused on connecting open-format and electronic music communities within a unified ecosystem. By collaborating with Slacker Media Group, Beatport reinforces its commitment to fostering discovery and performance opportunities for DJs based on their craft.